Unlicensed Driver Hits My Car at Maliba Lodge – Management Refuses Responsibility!

I recently visited Maliba Lodge, a place I had previously enjoyed during a celebratory stay for my 5th anniversary. Unfortunately, my most recent experience on January 1, 2025, has left me deeply disappointed.

While my family and I were having lunch at the lodge, my vehicle, parked in a designated area as directed by their staff, was hit by a vehicle driven by one of their employees, Ntoulane Ntsasa. Shockingly, Mr. Ntsasa did not have a valid driver’s license and was visiting the property in a private capacity. The damage to my vehicle resulted in an insurance excess fee of R13,500.

Despite acknowledging the incident and Mr. Ntsasa’s role, Maliba Lodge has refused to take any responsibility for the lack of oversight that allowed an unlicensed driver to access and operate a vehicle on their property. Their reasoning is that it wasn’t a company vehicle and Mr. Ntsasa was not on duty.

This raises serious safety concerns. If an unlicensed driver can cause material damage to vehicles on the property, what assurances do guests have about their safety? What if a pedestrian or child had been harmed? These are risks that Maliba Lodge appears unwilling to acknowledge or address adequately.

To add to my frustration, the lodge has not responded to my fair proposal that the costs be shared equally between myself, Mr. Ntsasa, and the lodge. This lack of communication and accountability is unacceptable, especially for an establishment of Maliba Lodge’s reputation.

I expected better from Maliba Lodge and am disappointed in their failure to resolve this issue amicably. I urge future visitors to be cautious and consider whether safety and guest satisfaction are genuinely prioritized.