Attorney – whether fit and proper to practise notwithstanding being sequestrated – whether suspension an appropriate sanction for an attorney guilty of non-disclosure of critical information when applying for his sequestration – no sound reason to interfere with the exercise of discretion.
Administrative law - Town Planning and Townships Ordinance 15 of 1986 – owner of land in close proximity to proposed township having standing as an interested person to challenge establishment of township.
Fairness of procedure to approve township – breach of legitimate expectation of a hearing by municipal tribunal – procedure inherently unfair in various respects.
Party excluded from process not obliged to pursue internal appeal against such decision before seeking to review the administrative action taken.
Procedure – striking out – court required to exercise practical, common sense and flexible approach in considering whether allegations made in reply need be struck out – cross-appeal relating to the failure to strike out an incontrovertible fact which was in any event not relied upon to decide the merits of the dispute – cross-appeal dismissed.
Media Summary
Appeal against sentence - environmental offences - unlawful purchasing, possession and conveying of rhinoceros horns without a permit - in contravention of the Limpopo Environmental Management Act 7 of 2003 - misdirection by the trial court - appeal court entitled to interfere - four years’ imprisonment appropriate.
Media Summary
Condictio indebiti: respondent’s mistakes in making payments inexcusably slack: excusability not a requirement where claimant a medical scheme: respondent proved its impoverishment: if respondent enriched by services provided by appellant, latter should have counterclaimed with condictio indebiti. Prescription: actual or constructive knowledge necessary for prescription to start running that of board of trustees: appellant failed to prove that board had actual or constructive knowledge by relevant date.
Media Summary
Delict – Pure economic loss – Loss suffered as a result of debarment in terms of s 14 of the Financial Services Advisory and Intermediary Services Act 37 of 2002 – Whether conduct of employer in debarring employee without complying with the provisions of Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2002 was wrongful and gave rise to damages.
Criminal law – appeal against conviction of rape – appellant failed to testify – conceded by appellant that sexual intercourse proved – lack of consent and intention also proved – appeal against conviction dismissed – appeal against sentence – no misdirection on part of court below and sentence of 22 years imprisonment not shockingly inappropriate – appeal against sentence dismissed.
Trust: a resolution of trustees of a family trust, that authorized one trustee to ‘sign all the documentation’, does not authorize the conclusion of two business agreements when read in context; no ostensible authority arises where an agent, and not the principal, makes a misrepresentation as to authority. Plant breeders’ rights: rights not infringed where there is no propagation of a fruit tree varietal.