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# South Africa: North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria
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## Swarts N.O and Another v Gouws N.O and Others (23604/2021)
[2023] ZAGPPHC 679 (10 August 2023)
Swarts N.O and Another v Gouws N.O and Others (23604/2021)
[2023] ZAGPPHC 679 (10 August 2023)
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sino date 10 August 2023
SAFLII
Note:
Certain
personal/private details of parties or witnesses have been
redacted from this document in compliance with the law
and
SAFLII
Policy
IN
THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA
GAUTENG
DIVISION, PRETORIA
#
# Case No: 23604/2021
Case No: 23604/2021
REPORTABLE: NO
OF
INTEREST TO OTHER JUDGES: NO
REVISED
# Date:10 August 2023
Date:10 August 2023
In
the matter between:
JOHANNES
PETRUS ERASMUS SWARTS N.O
Plaintiff
ANNETTE
VAN ZYL N.O
In
their capacity as trustees of the
Johan
Swarts Family Trust registered
under
Trust No: 489[…]
And
JOHANNES
FREDERICK GOUWS N.O
Defendant
LYNETTE
GOWS N.O
Second
Defendant
WILLEM
JACQUES GOUWS N.O
Third
Defendant
GEORGE
RAYMOND SLOANE N.O
Fourth
Defendant
In
their capacity as trustees of the WM
Gouws
Family Trust registered
under
Trust No:302[…]
JHJ
HOLDING CO (Pty) Ltd
Fifth
Defendant
EVENING
SHADE PROPERTIES 46 (Pty) Ltd
Sixth
Defendant
JUDGMENT
# Munzhelele J
Munzhelele J
[1]
The plaintiffs brought a counter-claim contending in their
declaration that an oral agreement
for the sale and purchase of
shares, amounting to 33,3% and 7,69% of the WM Gouws Family Trust
held in the JDJ Company and Evening
Shade Company, exists between the
plaintiffs, and the defendants. The plaintiffs assert that they have
complied or tendered compliance
on their end. Consequently, the
plaintiffs seek the court's directive to enforce the transfer of the
shares against the plaintiffs'
payment, along with costs of suit.
[2]
The
defendants, opposed the application and in their plea, denies the
existence of
a binding
verbal
agreement
for the
sale
of
shares
between
Johan
Swarts
Family
Trust and WM Gouws Family Trust. The defendants maintain that the
stipulated condition for the oral agreement was the drafting
of a
written agreement, subject to consideration and approval by WM Gouws
Family Trust and Johan Swarts Family Trust. However,
this condition
was not met. The first plaintiff indicated an intent to involve their
attorney after receiving the drafted agreement,
effectively
signalling that the written agreement was essential to establish the
contract's force and effect. The defendants assert
that the verbal
agreement lacked the necessary elements to constitute a legally
binding and enforceable contract. They further
posit that the
trustees of WM Gouws Family Trust did not participate in the
decision-making process and did not authorize the sale
of shares to
Johan Swarts Family Trust. Alternatively, the defendants claim that
the plaintiffs repudiated the agreement through
their letter dated
25
March
2020, which
was
subsequently
accepted
by
the
defendants.
As
a
result,
the
defendants initiated the section 163 application under the Companies
Act
[1]
.
Background
facts of the case
[3]
The entity known as JDJ Holding Company (Pty) Ltd, bearing
registration number 200[…] (hereinafter referred to as "JDJ
Company"), is composed of three shareholders, namely
Olympus
Trust, WM Gouws Family Trust, and Johan Swarts Family Trust. On 20
March 2020, JDJ Company convened an annual general meeting
of its
shareholders at 349 Brage Avenue, Annalin West, in Pretoria. The
purpose of this meeting was among others, to deliberate
on a proposal
put forth by WM Gouws Family Trust on 4 March 2020, which was
subsequently circulated on 5 March 2020 for inclusion
in the
meeting's agenda. The shareholders in attendance included Mr. J Gouws
from WM Gouws Family Trust, Mr. JPE Swarts from Johan
Swarts Family
Trust, and Mr. D Kruger representing Olympus Trust. The proceedings
of this meeting were duly recorded and transcribed,
and the
transcribed record has been filed.
[4]
During the aforementioned meeting, WM Gouws Family Trust introduced a
proposal that was presented for consideration
to the shareholders of
JDJ Company. This proposal encompassed three distinct options. The
first two options were not approved,
leaving the third option as the
most equitable solution for further deliberation.
Option
3 Proposal
[5]
Option 3 entails the following: The collective book values
of JDJ
Company's investments, as reflected upon, and are to be allocated
among the shareholders in such a manner that one shareholder
will
retain ownership within the company, while the remaining two parties
will receive a significant cash sum of twenty-five million
Rand (R25
000 000,00) each in exchange for their exit from the company.
Consequently, one shareholder will retain ownership of
JDJ, while the
other two shareholders will possess the funds to utilize at their
discretion.
5.1
Notable considerations for this option include: • The
selling shareholders will receive cash proceeds for investments that
lack immediate convertibility to cash, particularly BBC2, Tamboti,
and Evening Shade.• This option represents the exclusive
means
by which shareholders will terminate their medium-term business
relationship. The conclusion of CFM is imminent in the short
term. •
Valuation remains subject to individual perspectives. • Paying
an excess of two point five million rand (R2 500
000,00) to EY for
valuation is counterproductive for all parties. T us, a reasonable
and logical approach has been employed to
value JDJ's investments,
relying on the principles of cash flow and fair value: Disparities in
valuation opinions among the parties
will not significantly impact
the net cash flow. • Anticipated net cash flow from contracts
through Zamori until the commencement
of 2021 has been factored into
the assessment.
5.2
WM Gouws Family Trust does not object to the sale of its
shares nor to remain the sole remaining shareholder. The decision on
whether
to proceed with the sale or retention of shares rests with
Olympus Trust and Johan Swarts Family Trust. Johan Gouws,
representing
WM Gouws Family Trust, asserts that this option presents
the most equitable and appropriate method for terminating the
business
relationship, ensuring the continuity of the businesses,
preserving employment for the employees, and avoiding further
expenditure
on legal fees. For transparency, the detailed
calculations are attached for the shareholders' review. These
calculations will also
be submitted to Savage Jooste & Adams for
incorporation as an agenda item in the upcoming shareholders' meeting
on 20 March
2020. Shareholders are hereby urged to thoroughly
consider the proposal and its ramifications before the aforementioned
meeting.
Should shareholders not find favor with the proposed
options, they are invited to present alternative propositions that
would serve
the collective interests of all parties and the
enterprises, subject to prior consideration before the shareholders'
assembly.
[6]
Following Mr. Gouws' presentation of the proposal for the
shareholders' assessment, Mr. Kruger, representing Olympus Trust, was
unable to deliberate on the proposal due to an existing court
judgment ·concerning the sale of its shares. Consequently, the
discussion of the proposal was left to the remaining two
family
trusts, namely WM Gouws Family Trust and Johan Swarts Family Trust.
[7]
The transcribed record and the testimonies provided by Mr.
Swarts and
Mr. Gouws served as essential evidence for the court's evaluation of
the likelihood of an oral agreement for the share
sale. The
transcribed record was translated into English,· and all
shareholders concurred that the translation accurately
captured. the
discussions during the meeting.
[8]
In the
course of the deliberations at the Annual General Meeting, (AGM)
meeting, Mr. Swarts of Johan Swarts Family Trust expressed
that "the
trust does not seek to sell its shares. However, if WM Gouws desires
to sell, Johan Swarts Family Trust is willing
to accept the presented
offer at the stated price and under the outlined conditions"
[2]
.
In
response, Mr. Gouws indicated, "if you wish to buy me out or
accept the offer, that's fine with me. We can proceed in that
manner"
[3]
.
[9]
Mr. Gouws
sought clarification from Mr. Kruger regarding the intended recipient
of the shares' sale -
whether JDJ
Company or Johan Swarts Family Trust. Mr. Kruger confirmed that the
shares were to be sold to Johan Swarts Family Trust,
which would
consequently hold a 66% stake in JDJ Company. Mr. Gouws concurred
with this clarification. He elaborated that although
his initial
draft had suggested JDJ Company repurchasing the shares, his later
reflections led him to view the distinction as immaterial.
Mr. Swarts
concurred, emphasizing that the identity of the buyer was
inconsequential
[4]
.
[10]
Mr.
Swart
requested
a
thorough
discussion
on
the
conditions
of
the
sale.
However, Mr. Gouws specified that a singular condition pertained to
the retiring party refraining from future involvement
in the company
was crucial. Upon realization that an oral agreement
was
reached, the parties contemplated formalizing
the offer
and acceptance through a draft contract. Mr. Swarts asserted his
right to retract the offer if any inaccuracies emerged
after the
acceptance. Mr. Gouws acknowledged and understood this position
[5]
.
[11]
Mr. Swarts
inquired about the tax implications for a shareholder who agrees to
the valuation and distribution within JDJ Company.
He noted that such
an agreement would entail capital gains tax. Considering the
valuation and the offer, the shareholder would
experience no net
gain, as dividends would offset the
purchase
cost. This issue, was never entertained
[6]
.
[12]
In light of
these discussions which culminated into an oral agreement, Mr. Kruger
advised Mr. Gouws to draft an agreement formalizing
the sale of WM
Gouws Family Trust's shares to Johan Swarts Family Trust. Mr. Gouws
sought guidance on the approach to drafting
the agreement,
considering whether it should be jointly created by him and Mr.
Swarts. A proposition was made for Magdel, the attorney
of JDJ
Company, Johan Swarts Family Trust, and WM Gouws Family Trust, to
undertake the drafting. However, Mr. Swarts declined the
suggestion
of both of them going to the attorney, expressing concerns about
potential disagreements in the presence of the attorney.
Trusting
that Mr. Gouws would faithfully convey the mutually accepted verbal
agreement, Mr. Swarts intended for Mr. Gouws to oversee
the drafting
process. Mr. Swarts would solely be furnished with the initial draft
of the agreement for review, and if deemed necessary,
he would
forward it to his personal legal counsel
[7]
.
Subsequently, following the attorney's completion of drafted
agreement, the agreement proposed new term concerning payment of
R25
million after tax proposal, Mr. Swarts disputed the
contents,
asserting
that
they
did
not
accurately
reflect
the
terms
of
the
oral
agreement, as communicated in his letter dated 25 March 2020 which
letter was advising the attorney about such discrepancy.
[13]
Following a
lapse of time without the parties executing their oral agreement, the
defendants
initiated
an
application
under
Section
163
of the
Companies
Act 71
of 2008.
This
application directed JDJ Company and Evening Shade Properties 46
(Pty) Ltd
(Evening
Shade)
to
either
purchase
the
shares
of WM Gouws
Family
Trust
or undergo
liquidation. The plaintiffs responded with a counter-application,
asserting the existence
of
a
valid
contract
arising
from
20
March
2020
AGM
meeting.
The
application was brought before Madam Justice Koovertjie who referred
the counter-. application for trial first. Declarations
were filed by
the
plaintiffs on 17 March 2022,
and the
defendants countered with their plea on 22 March 2022
[8]
.
Arguments
by the Parties
[14]
The
plaintiffs argued that a valid verbal agreement was reached;
encompassing the essential terms of a sale agreement, including
the
specific shares' sale, the parties involved,
and
the
purchase
price.
They
contend
that
these
essentials
were
sufficient
to establish a legally enforceable agreement, and further terms were
unnecessary for contractual validity. The plaintiffs
cited legal
precedent, including
Loggenberg
No v Maree
[9]
,
and
Commissioner
for Inland Revenue v Wandrag
Asbestos
(Pty)
Ltd
[10]
to
support
their
assertion
that
the
agreement's
essentials
are
binding
and
enforceable.
On
the
contrary,
the
defendants
deny
the
formation
of
a
valid
agreement
due
to
the absence
of
a
written
contract
as
a
stipulated
condition.
They stress
that
the
materialization of a written and signed agreement was a prerequisite
for contractual force.
[15]
The defense
contends
that the WM
Gouws Family
Trust's
trustees
were not
involved in the sale decision, rendering the agreement unenforceable.
The plaintiffs counter this assertion, arguing that
the defendants
bear the burden of proving their defense. They further emphasize that
Mr. Gouws had consistently represented the
trust in dealings with the
companies and shareholders, thereby implying his authority
to
act on their behalf. The plaintiffs draw parallels with the case bf
Makate v
Vodacom
[11]
,
arguing that Mr. Gouws' conduct established apparent authority. They
also emphasized that this was a meeting of the shareholders',
wherein
Mr. Gouws acted as WM Gouws Family ,rust's representative in this
discussion of the selling of shares.
[16]
The defendants claim that the plaintiffs repudiated the agreement by
refusing to
address tax implications and indemnification clauses.
They assert that the plaintiffs' conduct indicated an unequivocal
intention
to disregard the agreement's terms. In response, the
plaintiffs argue that their letter dated 25 March 2020 sought legal
advice
and clarified aspects of the proposal, rather than repudiating
the agreement. The plaintiffs contend that the letter did not pertain
to the agreement established on 20 March 2020 but to the proposal
drafted by the attorney.
Discussions
[17]
The onus
rest on the plaintiffs to establish the existence of a concluded oral
agreement. see
Kaplan
and Radus v Benjamin and Others
[12]
.
In
Ptout v North Cape Livestock Co-operrative Ltd
[13]
:
Corbett said:
"The question which
arises, accordingly, is whether the undertaking, given as it was
during the course of uncompleted negotiations,
had, or has been shown
to have had, contractual force. Was the undertaking an offer made,
animo contrahendi, which upon acceptance
would give rise to an
enforceable contract, or was it merely a proposal made by the
appellant while the parties were in the process
of negotiating and
were feeling their way towards a more precise and comprehensive
agreement? This is essentially a question to
be decided upon the
facts of the particular case."
[18]
During the oral evidence the plaintiffs emphasized that a binding
agreement was reached on 20 March
2020 at the AGM meeting, involving
an offer by WM Gouws Family Trust and its acceptance by Johan Swarts
Family Trust. The plaintiffs
argue that the contract was finalized,
with no additional conditions, during this meeting. They stress that
no indication was given
that the oral agreement was provisional or
subject to future negotiation. The plaintiffs refute the defendants'
claim that tax
payment was a condition of the agreement, as it was
not part of the proposal and was not discussed during the meeting.·
[19]
Based on the facts presented above, I find it evident that the
acceptance of a proposal
accompanied by the conditions delineated in
option 3 in response to the offer or proposal unequivocally signifies
the manifestation
of intent to establish a contractual relationship.
This transaction signified a clear intention to mutually engage in a
contractual
relationship, consequently, this act has given rise to a
valid and legally binding agreement, thereby engendering legal rights
and responsibilities upon the respective parties.
[20]
All requisite elements essential for the formation of a contract of
sale have been duly satisfied. Notably, the identification
of the
buyer and seller was unequivocal, as they are recognized
shareholders. The shares comprising the subject matter of the sales
agreement were unambiguously defined. The stipulated price of R25
million was both proffered and accepted. Furthermore, a consensus
has
been established through mutual concurrence between the contracting
parties during the course of the aforementioned meeting.
[21]
Upon an
assessment of the factual circumstances of this case, it is evident
that the parties have effectively addressed all the
terms stipulated
within their oral agreement. Consequently, no additional conditions
remain outstanding or in a state of suspension,
thereby obviating the
need for subsequent fulfillment. Consequently, upon the acceptance of
the proposition by Mr. Swarts: a legally
binding agreement has duly
crystallized.
[14]
[22]
The testimony presented by the first defendant asserts that their
proposition entailed the WM Gouws Family Trust
divesting itself of
shares in JDJ Company and Evening Shade, thereby effecting a sale
back to JDJ Company, rather than to the Johan
Swarts Family Trust.
The stipulated consideration for the shares amounts to R25 million,
under the
proviso
that the tax liability is to be discharged
by Zamori using funds from its cash reserve. Johan Swarts duly
acceded to this proposition,
yet subsequently declined to fulfill the
tax obligation as agreed upon. In contradiction to the assertions
presented by the defendants,
the plaintiffs provided their own
testimonial evidence, asserting that the designated price was indeed
R25 million rand, devoid
of any attendant stipulations. Subsequently,
upon discovering a divergent proposal attributed to attorney Magdel
van Biljon, the
plaintiffs proceeded to write a letter dated 25 March
2020, thereby rectifying the proposal formulated by attorney Mrs.
Magdel
van Biljon pertaining to the proposition to remit R25 million,
exclusive of tax, as consideration for the shares held by WM Gouws
Family Trust.
[23]
Upon meticulous examination of Proposal 3 and the verbatim
transcription of the proceedings
held on 20 March 2020, it is my view
that, it has become evident that the testimony furnished by the first
defendant has diverged
substantially, thereby introducing provisions
that were not originally characterized as conditions during the said
meeting, nor
were they integral to the composition of the proposal.
The contentions put forth by the defendants within the ambit of their
substantive
legal arguments, as expounded in paragraph 46, are
therefore inaccurate and have the potential to mislead.
[24]
Regarding
the issue that JDJ Company was to buy the shares and not Swart Family
Trust,
during
the
convened
meeting,
Mr.
Gouws
directed
an
inquiry
to
Mr. Kruger,
seeking elucidation on the intended recipient of the shares-whether
JDJ Company or the Swarts Trust. In response, Mr.
Kruger provided
clarification, affirming that the shares were destined for
acquisition by Johan Swarts Family Trust.
[15]
Following Mr. Kruger's elucidation, Mr. Gouws reflected on it and
subsequently declared the identity of the recipient to be
inconsequential
or immaterial. He refrained from availing himself of
the opportunity to apprise the shareholders of his constrained
mandate, limited
to the sale exclusively to JDJ Company.
[16]
Hence, he opted to characterize the issue as being devoid of
significance. Manifestly, by adopting the position of deeming the
issue immaterial, he must be reasonably .construed to have intended
to convey his acquiescence to the proposition that the shares
were,
indeed, to be transferred to Johan Swarts Family Trust and there by
taking a decision on behalf of the WM Gouws Family Trust
as a
representative thereof. The matter was conclusively resolved and its
immaterial nature was similarly acknowledged by Mr. Swarts.
[25]
In relation to the price of the shares in the amount of 25 million
after tax, it is notable that Option 3 lacked
any explicit provision
stipulating that tax would be discharged by Zamori from its cash
reserve. The proposition presented entailed
a cash payment amounting
to R25 million for each of the two selling shareholders, with any
cash deficit arising from the purchase
price to be drawn from the
cash reserves of Zamori. During the convened session, when Mr. Swarts
endeavored to engage in a discussion
concerning the tax
ramifications, as detailed on page B6-193, paragraph 5, when Mr.
Gouws responded by failing to provide clarity
on the matter. Instead,
Mr. Gouws inquired,
"Okay, then can I
just ask, Johan what time scale should we link, or how do you think
we
should approach it? Must I have an agreement drawn up what do
y u
want?"
[17]
[26]
Mr. Gouws'
demeanor and behavior, marked by dismissiveness, in response to Mr.
Swarts' inquiry regarding the tax matter, does not
seem to ascribe
the status of a substantive term possessing sufficient significance
within the oral agreement as seen on the above
paragraph 25.
Therefore, its elucidation or discourse during that meeting does not
appear essential, as indicated by Mr. Gouws'
dismissive response to
Mr. Swarts' concern. Additionally, it is noteworthy that the issue of
tax was not even encompassed within
the proposal tabled for
deliberation, aimed at achieving the requisite
level
of
binding
agreement
in
accordance
with
Option
3.
Hence,
characterizing it presently as a term capable of invalidating the
existence of the oral agreement would likely result in
a misleading
interpretation. Consequently, I arrived at the determination that the
assertion made by the defendants, namely, that
the trust intended to
vend its shares at the value of R25 million tax free, contingent upon
the tax liability being settled from
Zamori's cash reserves, and that
this precondition necessitated consensus prior to the formation- of
the agreement between the
parties, is erroneous. The non-agreement on
such a tax-related issue, which is deemed immaterial in nature, does
not possess the
capacity to impede the contractual efficacy of the
agreement. See the case of
Cgee
Alsthom Equipments Et Enterprises (Electriques, South African
Division) v GKN Sankey (Pty) Ltd
[18]
when
the
following statement was made:
"The existence of
such outstanding matters does not, however, necessarily deprive
a
n
agreement of contractual force."
[27]
In relation to the assertion of the contract repudiation attributed
to the plaintiffs' refusal to remit tax,
it is imperative to initiate
this analysis with regard to the argument as delineated in paragraphs
78.2 and 78.3 of the defendants'
heads of arguments. It is pertinent
to highlight that such argument does not accurately align with the
content of Option 3 proposal,
as elucidated in the aforesaid
paragraphs. Consequently, the incorporation of these supplementary
propositions renders them misleading.
Therefore, the behavior
exhibited by the plaintiffs, manifested through their decline to
effect tax payment, as indicated in the
letter dated 25 March 2020,
in my view, should not be construed as tantamount to repudiating the
contract. This conclusion is underpinned
by the fact that the
stipulated condition, which they have declined to fulfill, neither
comprised an integral element of the initial
proposition nor was it
included in the deliberations of the shareholders' meeting convened
on 20 March 2020.
[28]
The first defendant contends that the transfer of shares to Johan S
arts Family Trust lacked the authorization
of the remaining trustees
within WM Gouws Family Trust. This contention arises from the premise
that the initial proposal envisaged
JDJ Company as the purchaser of
shares from the two selling shareholders. My aforementioned stance
elucidates that, in my assessment,
the demeanor of Mr. Gouws and his
corresponding response underscored this issue. The jurisprudential
basis for ascertaining authority
resides in the observed conduct of
Mr. Gouws during the convened assembly. Furthermore, concurrence is
extended to the plaintiffs'
assertion, which underscores that Mr.
Gouws has consistently acted as a representative of the trust since
2004, overseeing all
interactions with corporations and shareholders
in a representative capacity. The board of trustees had duly
empowered Mr. Gouws
to formulate and present the proposition during
the shareholders' meeting, an assembly that solely accommodated
shareholders who
were acting in their representative status. Hence,
he made decisions on behalf of WM Gouws Family Trust on date of the
meeting,
wherein he declared the question of whether to sell the
shares to JDJ Company or to Johan Swartz Family Trust as
inconsequential
or immaterial.
[29]
Finally, the salient observation from the shareholders' assembly
pertains to Mr. Gouws' response upon realization
that a legally
binding oral agreement had been consummated. In this regard, he
sought counsel from Mr. Kruger concerning the subsequent
course of
action, as documented in Page B6-192, paragraph 5, wherein Mr. Gouws
inquired, "so what will it be, must we draw
up an agreement?"
To which Mr. Kruger responded, "you will have to draw up an
agreement where you, your interest, the
trust makes its interest in
the JDJ Holdings company available or sell it to Swarts Trust."
The advisement conveyed was that
an agreement should be formally
documented in writing. It is my position that the mere desire for a
written rendition of the agreement
did not serve to introduce a new
contractual term. Rather, the sole intent was to safeguard the
interests of the family trusts,
with no intention to impugn the
validity of the existing oral agreement. Had such an intent been
present, it would have been explicitly
articulated within the
proposal that the agreement's validity was contingent upon its
transcription and execution. Interpreting
the request for a written
embodiment of the oral agreement as indicative of a substantive
contractual condition mandating the drafting
and execution of a
formal contract would be disingenuous on the part of the defendants
or any party advocating such a position.
My opinion is that the
intent was centered on safeguarding the parties' interests through a
written instrument.
[30]
Additionally, subsequent to the culmination of the meeting, there
exists no indication on the part of the involved
parties that the
oral agreement was of a provisional nature, subject to suspensive
conditions or ongoing negotiations. Construing
Mr. Swarts' statement
in a manner that infers the introduction of a suspensive condition
into the concluded oral agreement would
be incongruous with the
particular context of is statement. The totality of Mr. Swarts'
assertion was centered on the proposition
that he should be furnished
with the finalized written contract, with the possibility of
involving another legal practitioner only
if such becomes necessary.
The conditional utilization of another attorney was expressly
contingent on necessity. This renders
evident that the agreement had
attained a definitive state, thereby solidifying its finality.
[31]
To conclude, subsequent to a comprehensive evaluation of all
presented evidence, it can be reasonably ascertained
that the
plaintiffs have effectively proved their case. The proposition as was
advanced by WM Gouws Family Trust and subsequently
accepted by Johan
Swarts Family Trust with a clear and explicit intention to formalize
the establishment of a legally binding contract,
primarily motivated
by the deteriorated relationship among the shareholders, which had
evolved to a degree where the prevailing
atmosphere proved
detrimental to the functioning.9f the entities. As a result, a valid
contract was conclusively established. This
has resulted in the
agreement acquiring the legal status of an enforceable contract.
Order
[32]
In the result the following order is made:
1.
The first, second, third and fourth defendants are
jointly directed
to transfer to the first, second and third plaintiffs jointly the
33,33% of shares that the first, second, third,
and fourth defendants
jointly hold in the fifth defendant and the 7.69% of the shares that
the first, second, third and fourth
defendants jointly hold in the
sixth defendant against payment by the first, second and third
plaintiffs jointly of an amount of
R25 million (twenty-five million
rand) to the first, second, third and fourth defendants jointly.
2.
The first, second and third plaintiffs are jointly directed to pay
the amount
of R25 million to the first, second, third and fourth
defendants jointly against transfer to the first, second, and third
plaintiffs
jointly of 33,33% of shares that the first, second third
and fourth defendants jointly hold in the fifth defendant and the
7.69%
of the shares that the first, second, third and fourth jointly
hold in the sixth defendant.
3.
The counterclaim is successful with costs including costs of senior
counsel.
M
Munzhelele J
Judge
of the High Court, Pretoria
Heard
On:
22 -
26 May 2023
Electronically
Delivered On:
10
August 2023
Appearances:
For
the Plaintiffs/ Respondents:
Adv
S.D Wagener SC
Instructed
by: Weavind & Weavind
For
the Defendants/ Applicants:
Adv
P.L Uys
Instructed
by: Savage Jooste & Adams
[1]
71 of 2008
[2]
Refer to page B3-142, paragraph 5 of the transcribed meeting record
[3]
Refer to page B-3142, paragraph 20 of the transcribed version
[4]
Refer to B3-145, paragraphs 10-25 and B3-146, paragraphs 20-25, and
page B3-147)
[5]
Refer to page B-144, paragraphs 5-25 of the transcribed record
[6]
Refer to B. 3-146, paragraph 5 of the transcribed record
[7]
Refer to B3-145, paragraphs 10-25 and B3-146, paragraphs 20-25, as
well as page B3-147, paragraph 5
[8]
Refer to B1-18. See also paragraph 1 and 2 of this judgment
[9]
(2018 JDR 0425, SCA)
[10]
[1994] ZASCA 148
;
(1995 (2) SA 197
, A)
[11]
(2016 (4) SA 121
, CC)
[12]
1928 TPD 180
at page 183
[13]
1977(4) SA 842(A) at 850C-D
[14]
See
Boudewyn
Hamberg De Vries Smuts v Department of Ecomnomic Development and
Environmental Affairs
2010
JDR 0918 (ECB) para 6-11.
[15]
Page B6-192, paragraphs 10-15
[16]
Page B6-192, paragraph 20
[17]
See Page B6- 193, paragraph 5
[18]
(128/86)
[1986] ZASCA 108
;
[1987] 3 All SA 619
(AD)
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