Despatch resident Gideon Kemp, 46, testified about the events of December 7 2011 in the Port Elizabeth High Court yesterday.
He is suing Shoprite for R1.13-million for medical and hospital costs incurred at Cuyler Clinic in Uitenhage, future medical expenses, general damages, loss of income from the time of the incident and future loss of income until his retirement age of 65 in 2035.
Shoprite’s counsel questioned Kemp’s credibility during cross-examination.
In his testimony, Kemp told the court: “On the day, I was asked to open the door for a pork delivery for the butchery.
“While walking through the passage on my way to the receiving area … I slipped and fell on a mixture of water and a fatty substance.”
Kemp’s advocate, Pieter Mouton, said there had been no warning signs alerting employees to the slippery substance.
He said Shoprite had a duty of care to prevent dangerous situations. “I got up and struggled on,” Kemp said. “I turned around and saw the substance from the floor on my hands and clothes.”
Shoprite’s advocate, Jean Nepgen, said: “In your [initial] claim, you said you only fell as a result of water and sustained an injury to your right ankle.
“Then in your amended claim in February this year, you [changed] it to say it was a mixture of water and a fatty substance.
“Is it also not true that you returned to work the next month?
“So the allegation in your claim that you are unable to work is incorrect.
“And then … you were dismissed for stealing cigarettes from the same store.”
