Parly clerk in payment row
Convicted of reckless driving, victim wants compensation
RETHABILE MOHONO
MASERU – Despite his conviction over reckless driving, Advocate Lebohang Fine Maema’s duel with the owner whose vehicle he crashed into is far from over – Mookho Mphonyo claims that the Clerk of the National Assembly refuses to compensate her for damages to her car.
Mphonyo insists that while Maema has paid his fine in court and moved on, she remains stuck with a wrecked vehicle and no clear way forward. Speaking to this publication, Mphonyo explained that the crash was a head-on collision, resulting in severe damage to the front and left wheel of her car.
“Even if it gets fixed, my mechanic said it will never be the same,” she stated, adding that the vehicle will require constant repairs.
“Mind you, I bought this car as brand new in 2020, to avoid inconveniences such as breakdowns that could possibly leave stranded on the roadside,” she added.
Mphonyo revealed that her insurance company offered her approximately M60 000 for repairs to her car, despite her lowest repair quotation being M70 000.
“I suggested that we take the insurance money, and Ntate Maema should top it up so that we can buy an accident-free car instead. This would help me avoid dealing with a wrecked car every day. But he refused,” Mphonyo said.
As a result, she declined the insurance payout, insisting on reaching a mutual agreement first with Advocate Maema.
“The problem is that if I accept the insurance money and the car starts giving me problems, I cannot hold him or the insurance company responsible. Everything that happens after accepting the money will be my responsibility,” she lamented.
“Now, I am left with a damaged car, while he moves on with his life. His car was fixed by the government, and he is fine,” she added.
Mphonyo further explained that insurance policyholders are required to sign an acceptance letter when accepting an offer. The letter explicitly states that she would not be able to hold Maema or the insurance company responsible for any further issues arising from the accident.
Recalling the day of the accident, Mphonyo claimed that Maema appeared intoxicated, though Public Eye has found no official proof of this.
“He was unable to speak or even open the door of the car to get out. But the police officer who arrived at the scene said there was no breathalyzer available to test alcohol level. So now they say they cannot charge him with drunken driving due to lack of evidence proving he was drunk,” she said.
She also provided this publication with a copy of the acceptance letter, which reads in part: “In consideration of a payment of M60 890.50, I/We hereby release and forever discharge for myself/ourselves, my/our heirs, minor children, executors, administrators, and assigns LNIG Hollard Insure and Government of Lesotho (X63BBH) of and from all claims, demands, damages, actions, causes of action or suits at law, or in equity, of whatsoever kind or nature, for or because of any matter or thing done, omitted, or suffered to be done by LNIG Hollard Insure and Government of Lesotho (X63BBH) prior to and including the date hereof, and particularly on account of all injuries, both to person or property resulting, or to result, from an accident which occurred on or about the 14th Day of September the Year 2024 at/along Kofi Annan Public Road at/near Lower Thetsane, Maseru District.”
Mphonyo said it is the final clause of the letter deterred her from accepting the offer.
“M70 000 was the lowest repair quotation. He initially said he could pay the M10 000 difference, but I declined the offer because my mechanic warned that the car will never be fully repaired due to the extent of the damage.
Instead, I suggested that Ntate Maema tops up the insurance payout so we could purchase a second-hand car with a reasonable mileage, accident-free, and in good condition,” she said.
“This would prevent future mechanical problems. However, Ntate Maema proudly told me he would not buy me a car. Not only has he been pompous, but he never even apologized when we were at the police station. He showed no remorse,” she concluded.
As the legal battle between the two continues, Mphonyo insists that she will not accept an offer that leaves her at a disadvantage, while Maema has yet to issue a public response to her claims.
Meanwhile, Maema appeared before Magistrate ‘Mamorojele Qoo on March 19, facing charges of reckless driving.
He was found guilty and sentenced to one year of imprisonment or a fine of M1 000.
Half of the fine was suspended on the condition that he does not commit the same offense again. He paid M500 to settle the remaining amount.
