Mr Philip Raphela

Philip Raphela, 43, confesses to being an “unbearable man” after suffering from Organic Brain Syndrome following severe head injuries from a car accident in 2003. He was impulsive, irritable, aggressive and paranoid and both his mother and sister were so afraid of him, they moved out of the house they shared with him. In addition to suffering from a major personality change, Raphela’s cognitive abilities were affected, he struggled to process information and had a poor attention span.

An investigation revealed that his claim had been settled by the RAF, but when he enquired with his lawyer what had happened to his money, he was offered a cheque of R100 000, which he refused. The RAF assisted him in drafting a letter to the Law Society and he eventually received his full payment of R710 000.

Last year, while working for the Department of Education as an ABET teacher, he suffered a relapse and was admitted to the Nkhensani Hospital. The RAF again intervened and a Case Manager took him to a psychiatrist which put him on medication. Since then, he has stopped smoking and drinking and is now a respected member of the Zion Christian Church.