UNDERSTANDING INDEMNITY

Experts look at how indemnity forms protect your child during a school trip

- SIYA TSEWU

PARENTS are often presented with forms when a child goes on a school outing or camp. But an indemnity form doesn’t automatically absolve the school or activity organiser from blame if something goes wrong, experts say – and it’s vital that parents understand this and know their rights.

The definition of indemnity is simple: it means one party in the contract is not responsible for loss, damages and/or injury while the other party is taking part in their activities or staying in their facilities.

But what happened to schoolboy Enock Mpianzi (13) while he was on an orientation camp with other Parktown Boys’ High School Grade 8 learners a few weeks ago has thrown the spotlight on the issue of indemnity – and in this case, the school and the Nyati Bush and Riverbreak camp have been found wanting.

East London-based attorney Ayanda Gwabeni says a signed indemnity form doesn’t mean due diligence must not be done when it comes to the safety and security of children.

“Most indemnity forms are standard,” he says. “They don’t explicitly give details of what exactly is being indemnified.”