Esidimeni families reach compensation deal, await judgment on R1.5m constitutional claim
‘The figure is not intended to represent the value of life. It takes into account the series of circumstances and the breach of rights’
The families of the victims in the Life Esidimeni tragedy have welcomed an agreement with the state for compensation of R200‚000 for emotional shock‚ psychological injury and funeral expenses — but want each claimant to receive R1.5m for constitutional damage redress.The Life Esidimeni arbitration convened for closing arguments in Parktown‚ Johannesburg, on Thursday. Though the two parties agreed on the emotional trauma claim under common law‚ the state and Section 27 did not reach an agreement on the claim for constitutional damages.Section 27 advocate Adila Hassim, arguing why the state should compensate the families for the violation of constitutional rights, said: "The figure is not intended to represent the value of life. It takes into account the series of circumstances and the breach of rights. Including the ongoing disregard of attempts by families to save this situation."Hassim said they were claiming constitutional damages because the reasons for the termination of the Lif...
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