Case Law[2022] ZAGPPHC 210South Africa
Stand 7199 Pietersburg Extension 28 (Pty) Ltd and Others v Geyser Attorneys Incorporated and Others (55307/2021) [2022] ZAGPPHC 210 (1 April 2022)
Headnotes
for and/or on behalf of MMH in any bank account, including any portion of monies paid by GEPF in favour of MMH as directed by the Supreme Court of Appeal (“SCA”) in case number 110/2019 (“loan appeal”).
Judgment
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# South Africa: North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria
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## Stand 7199 Pietersburg Extension 28 (Pty) Ltd and Others v Geyser Attorneys Incorporated and Others (55307/2021) [2022] ZAGPPHC 210 (1 April 2022)
Stand 7199 Pietersburg Extension 28 (Pty) Ltd and Others v Geyser Attorneys Incorporated and Others (55307/2021) [2022] ZAGPPHC 210 (1 April 2022)
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sino date 1 April 2022
IN THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTH
AFRICA
GAUTENG
DIVISION, PRETORIA
(1)
REPORTABLE: NO
(2)
OF INTEREST TO OTHER JUDGES: NO
(3)
REVISED.
01
APRIL 2022
CASE NO:
55307/2021
In
the matter between:
###### STAND
7199 PIETERSBURG EXTENSION 28 (PTY) LTDFirst Applicant
STAND
7199 PIETERSBURG EXTENSION 28 (PTY) LTD
First Applicant
STAND
7216 PIETERSBURG EXTENSION 28 (PTY) LTD
Second Applicant
STAND
7232 PIETERSBURG EXTENSION 28 (PTY) LTD
Third Applicant
STAND
7332 PIETERSBURG EXTENSION 28 (PTY) LTD
Fourth Applicant
STAND
7333 PIETERSBURG EXTENSION 28 (PTY) LTD
Fifth Applicant
STAND
7334 PIETERSBURG EXTENSION 28 (PTY) LTD
Sixth Applicant
and
GEYSER ATTORNEYS INCORPORATED
First Respondent
MAGAE MAKHAYA HOUSING (RF)
(PTY) LTD
Second Respondent
THE PUBLIC INVESTMENT
CORPORATION SOC LIMITED
Third Respondent
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES PENSION
FUND
Fourth Respondent
SEKEPE INVESTMENTS (PTY)
LTD
Fifth Respondent
THE ALCHAMY (PTY)
LTD
Sixth Respondent
MAROBALO INVESTMENTS (PTY)
LTD
Seventh Respondent
KHOLOFELO SEKEPE
MAPONYA
Eighth Respondent
BONGANI PATRICK
MADUNGANDABA
Ninth Respondent
RELEBOHILE NATHAN
QOBOSHIANE
Tenth Respondent
THE COMPANIES AND INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY
Eleventh Respondent
COMMISSION
JUDGMENT
This
matter has been heard in open court and disposed of in terms of the
directives of the Judge President of this Division. The judgment
and
order are accordingly published and distributed electronically.
RETIEF
AJ
:
INTRODUCTION
[1]
This is an opposed application initially brought
in the Urgent Court
an now concerns declaratory and final mandatory relief. The
thrust of the relief sought, concerns an enquiry
into whether the
First Respondent (“
Geyser attorneys
”), as the appointed
transferring attorneys, is prohibited from performing the necessary
administrative and related services associated
with the transfer and
registration of the Applicants’ immovable properties as a result of
the interim prohibitory order obtained
in case number 46022/2021
(“
interim application
”).
[2]
The interim application was brought by the
Third and Fourth
Applicants (“
PIC
”) and (“
GEPF
”), in which all
the Respondents in this present application were cited save for the
Applicants and the First Respondent.
[3]
The relief in the interim application was
sought in two parts, Part A
being the interdictory relief, operating as interim relief pending
the final relief in Part B.
[4]
According to GEPF the purpose of the interim
order, was to curtail
the Eighth Respondent (“
Mr Maponya
”) and the companies
which he controls, being Fifth to Seven Respondents (“
Sekepe
Investments, Alchamy and Marobalo Investments
”) from
potentially influencing the affairs of the Second Respondent, Magae
Makhaya Housing (RF) Pty Ltd (“
MMH
”). Mr Maponya is also a
shareholder of and a director in all the Applicant companies.
[5]
The declaratory relief sought by the Applicants
primarily relates to
the clarification of prayer 2.5 of the interim order which, without
PIC and GEPF written consent, interdicts
and prohibits Mr Maponya,
Sekepe Investments, Alchamy, Marobalo Investments and MMH from
dealing with MMH’s property and/or funds
held for and/or on behalf
of MMH in any bank account, including any portion of monies paid by
GEPF in favour of MMH as directed by
the Supreme Court of Appeal
(“
SCA
”) in case number 110/2019 (“
loan appeal
”).
[6]
The Applicants contend that the interim oder
does not prohibit the
execution of the sale and purchase agreements (“
agreements
”)
between themselves and MMH and as a consequence, Geyser attorneys can
proceed with the transfer and registration of the Applicants’
properties.
[7]
Relying on that contention the Applicants
seek the following
declaratory relief in their notice of motion:
“
3.
That the Honourable Court declare that the interim court order
granted under proceeding
case number 46022/2021 does not prohibit the
First Respondent from proceeding with the transfer and registration
of the properties:
3.1
Erf 7199 Pietersburg Extension 28;
3.2
Erf 7216 Pietersburg Extension 28;
3.3
Erf 7232 Pietersburg Extension 28;
3.4
Erf 7332 Pietersburg Extension 28;
3.5
Erf 7333 Pietersburg Extension 28;
3.6
Erf 7334 Pietersburg Extension 28
.
(“properties”)
”
[8]
The Applicants rely on three propositions
for their contention,
supra
, summarised as follows:
8.1
The Applicants were not cited as a party in the
interim application
consequently, the interim order does not apply to them. This
proposition was expanded in argument and in the
Applicants’ heads
of argument to include that such failure rendered the interim order ,
null and void. However, no such amended
relief catering for this
proposition is sought.
8.2
The papers filed in the interim application do not
appear to raise
lack of authority by the directors to the agreements at the material
time;
8.3
The interim interdict cannot prevent conduct which
has already
occurred, namely that the purchase price for the properties had
already been paid into trust with Geyser attorneys prior
to securing
the order.
[9]
Geyser attorneys filed a notice to abide and
Magdalena Julya Geyser,
the sole director of the firm, deposed to an explanatory affidavit in
which she confirms having sought the
written consent from PIC and
GEPF as referred to in the interim order.
[10]
Accompanying the declaratory relief is final mandatory relief
in
amended prayers 3(B) and 3(C) respectively. The prayers essentially
directing Geyser attorneys to continue with the transfer and
registration of the properties and directing MMH,
inter
alia
, sign all the necessary documents to effect the transfer
failing which, authorising the Sheriff of the Magisterial District of
Polokwane
to attend to the signature of the documents necessary to
enable the transfer on behalf of MMH.
[11]
The Applicants only move for the declarator and amended final
relief.
[12]
Mr Maponya opposed the reference to a punitive cost order against
him
personally, requested by PIC and GEPF in their answering affidavit
and filed an affidavit opposing costs and an explanatory affidavit.
Mr Maponya’s explanatory affidavit deals,
inter alia,
with
evidence before Rabie J in case number 2643/18 (“
loan
application
”).
[13]
The loan application was finally settled by the SCA in the
loan
appeal, as referenced in the interim order.
[14]
PIC and GEPF opposed the application and filed a detailed and
comprehensive answer. The thrust of their opposition is the
Applicants’ failure to deal with the necessary allegations to
sustain
the relief sought and further that the declaratory relief is
premised on a number of misconceptions. The central misconception
advanced,
is the Applicants’ mistaken belief the that the
agreements relied upon, in law are valid and enforceable.
[15]
PIC and GEPF contend further that the misconception is fatal,
rendering the Court’s necessity to consider an enquiry into
declaratory relief unnecessary.
[16]
The Court is mindful of the fact that, if the acrimonious debate
between all the parties remains unresolved, it will have far reaching
consequences for the most vulnerable namely, State employees
whose
pension contributions make up the considerable funding used in the
investment and acquisition of these properties.
[17]
In addition, the Court in
Rail Commuters
[1]
stated that in considering whether it is desirable to order mandatory
or prohibitory relief in addition to a declarator, a Court
will
consider all the relevant circumstances.
CONSIDERATION OF ALL THE
RELEVANT FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES
[18]
MMH was incorporated to develop low-cost housing projects.
At the
time of its incorporation and in December 2015, the shareholders of
MMH concluded a shareholders’ agreement. As at 2015
and according
to the shareholders’ agreement, the shareholding was recorded as
follows:
18.1
Fifth
Respondent, Sekepe Investments (Pty) Ltd (“
Sekepe
Investments
”)
55%
18.2
Fourth
Respondent, Government Employees Pension Fund (“
GEPF
”)
25%
18.3
Sixth
Respondent, The Alchamy (Pty) Ltd (“
Alchamy
”)
10%
18.4
MMI
Transactional Advisory Division (Pty) Ltd
[2]
10.00%
[19]
Clause
10 of the shareholders’ agreement provides for financing to be
provided to MMH
[3]
.
It states that the funding of the company will be from the profits of
the company by way of loans on commercial terms and only in
so far as
it is agreed by the shareholders by way of loans to the company.
[20]
The shareholders’ loans to MMH were to be in accordance with
the
proportion of the shareholders’ shareholding.
[21]
Sekepe Investments,
Alchamy and remaining shareholdres were to obtain money from the GEPF
in terms of separate loan facility agreements.
(“
loan
agreements
”)
[4]
.
The reasoning was to enable these companies to meet any call for
funds by MMH in proportion to their shareholding in terms of the
shareholders’ agreement.
[22]
In other words, GEPF would use Sekepe Investments, Alchamy
and the
other shareholders as a conduit through which to fund MMH indirectly
and itself directly, the reason for which is not apparent.
[23]
MMH relying on the prospect of funding proceeded to consider
land
acquisition proposals, in so doing, MMH entered into a development
management services agreement with Matsomane Maponya Investments
(“
MMI
”). Mr Maponya is, a director of and shareholder in
MMI.
[24]
On the 5 September 2017
MMH’s Board of directors, by virtue of a Round Robin resolution
approved the land acquisition proposal presented
by MMI. The land
proposal related to properties.
[5]
[25]
The resolution was passed on the condition that Mr Maponya
declared
his conflict of interest, if any with regard to the properties.
[26]
Mr Maponya on the 13 July
2017 signed a declaration declaring his personal and financial
interest as a shareholder and director in
all the Applicant
companies, MMI, Sekepe Investments, Alchamy Investments and Marobalo
Investments.
[6]
[27]
On the 14 September 2017
MMH’s Board of directors by virtue of a Round Robin resolution
passed a resolution approving an additional
amount. The total
approved amount was R72,127,849.34, the resolution was subject to
valuation.
[7]
[28]
Prior to the Board approvals and on the 13 July 2017, MMH and
the
Applicants entered into the agreements.
[29]
At the time of the conclusion of the agreements, Mr Maponya
acted on
behalf of all of the Applicant companies. This would explain why he
signed his declaration of personal and financial interest
on the same
date the 13 July 2017.
[30]
The terms in all the agreements were identical save for the
respective purchase prices. All the agreements referred to Geyser
attorneys as the transferring attorney and their name and contact
details was formatted and printed at the bottom of each and every
page.
[31]
MMH as the purchaser, called for the funding in terms of clause
10 in
terms of the shareholders agreement which in turn triggered payment
of the advances under the loan agreement to the shareholders.
GEPF
was obliged to advance the funds.
[32]
GEPF failed to make the advances causing Sekepe Investments,
Alchamy
and Marobalo Investments to launch the loan application claiming
specific performance under the loan agreement. Mr Maponya
deposed to
the founding papers on behalf of the Applicants.
[33]
The enquiry by the SCA in the loan appeal was to determine
whether
MMH shareholders possessed the requisite right to the advances from
GEPF in terms of the loan agreement. The SCA in their
judgment did
not deal with the validity of the agreements themselves nor vindicate
them.
[34]
The reason for the failure of the Applicants to claim payment
of the
initial purchase amounts in terms of the agreement and the time lapse
in which to do so as a consequence of the loan application
and
subsequent loan appeal (i.e. July 2017 to December 2020) has been
“raised” in this application by the Applicants themselves
for the
first time.
[35]
The Applicants foreseeing the difficulty, now in this application
rely on an oral waiver. Which waiver translates into the Applicants
waiving their rights to claim payment of the initial purchase
amounts
as set out in paragraph 1.1. of the agreements. Thereby
releasing MMH of its reciprocal obligation to do so. The Applicants
contend that the waiver was agreed pending the outcome of the loan
dispute.
[36]
Only on the 26
August 2021 some 8 (eight) months after the resolution of the pending
loan dispute did GEPF through its attorneys
undertook to pay the
R106,000,722.09 to pay funds in compliance of the SCA Court order to
honour a loan agreement with MMH shareholders.
It was not paid at the
behest of the Applicants exercising any right to claim payment of the
purchase price in terms of the agreement.
The R106,000,722.09 is the
amount referred to prayer in 2.5 of the interim order.
[8]
[37]
The undertaking to pay was addressed to Mr M.R. Phala Attorneys
(“
Phala attorneys
”), the attorney acting for Sekepe
Investments, Alchamy and Marobalo Investments. Of importance is that
the undertaking to pay was
conditional upon a written undertaking by
Phala attorneys that the funds meant for MMH would be paid directly
into MMH’s bank account.
The condition so it goes, was to ensure
compliance with the
SCA’s Court order
.
There is little doubt that the R106,000,722.09 was meant for MMH.
[38]
Whether Phala attorneys indeed provided the written undertaking
to
GEPF is unclear, but what is common cause is that:
38.1
GEPF paid honoured the R106,000,722.09;
38.2
on 31 August 2021, a mere few days after the payment was made by
GEPF, a portion of the funds, being the amount of
R72,127,849.34
duly approved by MMH’s Board in September 2017 for the land
proposal was paid into Geyser attorney’s trust account;
38.3
the deposit of the R72,127,849.34 into Geyser attorney’s trust
account was made by T Motala Attorneys, ostensibly the correspondents
of Phala attorneys;
38.4
The amount of R72,127,849.34 was not paid by the purchaser MMH;
38.5
The amount of R72,127,849.34 was not received by MMH as
intended
and directed.
[39]
MMH as the purchaser in terms of the agreement and as the company
who
was entitled to be funded in terms of the shareholders agreement did
not physically receive the funds. MMH was the only company
in which
Mr Maponya, at the time, did not have a vested interest, and who was
removed from the “transaction”.
[40]
This caused GEPF to launch the interdictory application on
an urgent
basis.
[41]
GEPF contended ,
inter alia
, that as a result of the
“transaction” the directors of MMH could not legally deal with
nor give account of the substantial funds
intended for the company to
the satisfaction of its shareholders. Mr Maponya was highlighted as
the protagonist in the scheme of
non-payment to MMH. This appears to
be well founded.
[42]
It is important to note that Mr Maponya is a shareholder and
director
of
all
the Applicant companies, Sekepe Investments,
Alchamy, Marobalo Investments and MMI
except
MMH. Since May
2019, GEPF is the sole shareholder of MMH and Mr Maponya removed as a
director.
[43]
GEPF provided Geyser attorneys with a copy of the interim order
.
De facto
, Geyser attorneys held R72,127,849.34 of the
R106,000,722.09 of MMH funds alternatively funds meant for MMH in
terms of the agreement,
in their trust account without MMH, the
purchaser’s, consent nor that of GEPF as referred to in the interim
order, placing Geyser
attorneys in a difficult and ethical dilemma.
[44]
Geyser attorneys on the 3 September 2021 informed PIC and GEPF
that
they were in receipt of R72,127,849.34, identified that the funds
were paid in respect of the agreements and
undertook not to
proceed
with the transactions without receiving a written
resolution from the directors of MMH.
[45]
Furthermore, and on the 29
October 2022, Geyser attorneys informed the Applicants’ attorney,
Victor Mabe Inc that they had received
a copy of the interim order
and pursuant thereto, had requested written consent to proceed from
PIC and GEPF.
[9]
[46]
PIC and GEPF have not provided consent to the Geyser attorneys
and I
doubt they will if one has regard to their opposition and moreover
having regard to Part B of the interim application in which
they seek
the cancellation of the loan agreement.
[47]
A difference of opinion
between the Applicants and Geyser Attorneys regarding the necessity
of consent has arisen suggestive of the
existence of a live
dispute.
[10]
In consequence, the Applicants necessity for the declaratory and
mandatory relief becomes apparent.
[48]
I now deal with the agreements.
THE AGREEMENTS
[49]
In paragraph 26 of the Applicants’ founding papers the Applicants
confine the enquiry into their rights by stating that:
“
26.
The present proceedings are essentially brought against the First and
Second Respondent,
on account of the rights flowing from
written
agreements
(own
emphasis)
between the Applicant and the Second Respondent.
”
[50]
The Applicants so confident of their legal standing in terms
of the
agreements that they have failed to properly establish or deal with
their rights in their founding papers.
[51]
Mr Maponya in his explanatory affidavit is of the view that
because
the SCA granted specific performance of the loan agreements it
automatically gives legal credence to the agreements, alternatively
that any enquiry into the validity of the agreements is
res
judicate.
[52]
The thrust of the SCA’s
enquiry at the time of the loan appeal was the standing of the
shareholder applicants in terms of the loan
agreement and not an
enquiry into or pronouncement of the validity of the agreements as
the origin of the funding. This was the cause
of action before the
High Court of first instance and then the SCA on appeal. For that
reason, Mr Maponya himself confined his own
founding papers in the
loan application to a narrow ambit of the agreements and only dealt
with those terms which “
are
important for purposes hereof:-
“.
[11]
[53]
Mr Maponya only dealt with clause 2 and 1.2 of the agreements,
namely
the fulfilment of the suspensive condition and interest payable in
the event of a delay of transfer. No mention is made of
the delay or
failure to make payment of the initial purchase amount in terms of
paragraph 1.1 of the agreements, which is clearly
at variance
with payment terms in terms of the agreements.
[54]
In so far as the
contention of
res
judicata
may be
relevant, the Constitutional Court too, in the Molaudzi v The
State
[12]
matter expanded the common law doctrine of
res
judicata
by revisiting
the facts of a matter which it had finally dealt with thereby
relaxing the application of the doctrine in certain circumstances.
To
prevent a manifest injustice, this Court will take cognisance of all
the facts.
[55]
The Applicants in reply also rely on a similar contention by
mere
reference without explanation to the outcome of the loan appeal and
the shareholders’agreement. Of interest is that on their
own
version, the Applicants had an interest in the outcome of the loan
application and were not cited. This however did not seem
to bother
them at the time.
[56]
Lastly, the Applicants own reliance on the oral waiver of their
right
to claim payment of the initial purchase amount in paragraph 1.1 in
terms of the agreement was not raised nor ventilated in
the loan
application nor the loan appeal.
[57]
PIC and GEPF contend that the agreements are invalid and
unenforceable
for failure by MMH to obtain special Board approval for
the agreements and alternatively that performance in terms of the
agreements
have prescribed.
[58]
I now turn to consider whether the Applicants’ application
is
predicated upon the rights flowing from the agreements.
[59]
To do so I accept the
inescapable premise that the formalities of the agreements are
governed by the provisions of the Alienation
of Land Act, 68 of 1981
(“
Alienation Act
”)
and have regard to the impact of the waiver.
[13]
[60]
Against this backdrop:
60.1
According to paragraph 1.1 of the agreements, the purchase price
was
payable firstly, by an
initial amount
paid in cash, free of
bank costs to the Applicants against the registration of the property
in the name of MMH.
60.2
Secondly, by a
balance
to be paid within 6 (six) months of
registration.
60.3
Clause 1.2 deals with interest payable for delay in transfer but
paragraph 1 is silent on delay and/or failure to be in terms of
paragraph 1.1 of the agreements.
60.4
Therefore MMH was obliged to furnish Geyser attorneys with payment
of
the initial amount in paragraph 1.1 or a bank guarantee within 14
(fourteen) days from date of acceptance.
60.5
Its common cause that the date of
acceptance in all the agreements was the 13 July 2017.
60.6
In terms of paragraph 9.2 of the agreements:
“
9
.2
No agreement at variance with or in addition to the terms and
conditions of this deed
of sale, or novation or cancellation of this
deed of sale, shall be binding on the parties hereto unless reduced
to writing and signed
by both parties
.”
60.7
It is common cause that MMH failed to pay the initial amount within
14 days of acceptance in terms of paragraph 1.1 of the agreements.
60.8
The Applicants in their founding papers raise the existence of an
oral waiver agreed upon between them and MMH relating to the payment
of the purchase price in terms of the agreement.
60.9
Considering the waiver. A waiver is nothing else other than a
relinghishing
(giving up) of a right and in this case although poorly
expressed amounts to a temporary waiver of the Applicants’ right to
claim
payment of the purchase price pending the outcome of an event.
In consequence, relinguishing MMH from its reciprocal obligation on
the same terms.
60.10
The expectation being that the revival of the relinghished right and
therefore the
obligation to pay would be triggered by the resolution
of the loan dispute. It is common cause that the loan dispute was
settled
by the SCA in December 2020.
60.11
MMH is silent on the existence of the oral agreement of waiver and
did not depose
to a confirmatory affidavit in support of the
Applicants’ contentions. However the facts demonstrate that the
Applicants indeed
acted as if they had waived their right to claim
the agreed initial purchase amounts owing in terms of paragraph 1.1
of the agreements.
This too, appears to be done with the knowledge of
MMH as MMH has not disputed this fact nor are other facts placed
before Court
by any party to suggest that MMH was in wilful default.
60.12
The Applicants did not demanded payment of the initial purchase
amount within 14 (fourteen)
days of acceptance from MMH in terms of
paragraph 1.1 of the agreements. In fact the Applicants have not
exercised any right to claim
payment from MMH at all in terms of the
agreement.
60.13
The Court therefore accepts the existence of the waiver,
inter
alia,
the actions of the contracting parties and as
consequence the Applicants right flowing from the wriiten agreements
to claim
the initial purchase amount in terms of the agreement, on
their own version, is discharged until revived.
60.14
The only way to revive the right to claim the agreed initial purchase
amount again
is to amended the agreements to reflect the consensus
reached regarding
when and/or how
the initial purchase amount
will become payable. This falls within the scope of paragaroh 9.2 of
the agreement and must be reduced
to writing and signed by all the
parties. This was not done.
60.15
Expanding on a further difficulty is that the right to claim and
obligation to pay
on the version provided, is dependant on the
outcome of the loan dispute, the outcome unknown. Until known and for
that matter until
ruled in MMH’s favour, no consensus to buy and
sale could have existed and the agreement at the time of the waiver
became unenforceable.
60.16
In the premises the the Applicant on its own version has not
demonstarted that it
poseses any rights flowing from the agreements
and any relief which requires the establishment or enquiry into such
rights must fail.
[61]
In so far as is necessary, I deal with GEPF’s
reliance of the Applicants failure to fulfil the suspensive
condition:
61.1
The Applicants fail to deal with the fulfilment of the suspensive
condition, namely that:
“
This offer is subject to
the suspensive condition that the Purchaser’s board approves the
sale.
”
[14]
61.2
Mr Maponya contends that the Round Robin resolution signed by the
directors on 5 September 2017 is sufficient to fulfil the suspensive
condition and elected not to explain the provisions of MMH’s
MOI
relied upon by PIC and GEPF.
61.3
In argument Counsel for Mr
Maponya highlighted that PIC and GEPF admitted the Round Robin
resolution in their answering affidavit
in the loan application, but
Counsel failed to bring to the Court’s attention that the admission
was qualified in paragraph 8.7
of the answer. Moreover, Counsel
failed to deal with the provisions of the MOI relied upon by PIC and
GEPF.
[15]
61.4
PIC and GEPF have
consistently suggested and/or alleged, both in the loan
application
[16]
and in this application that:
58.3.1
Board approval was obtained on 5 September 2017;
58.3.1
Mr Maponya had a financial and personal interest in
the transactions
and in consequence, the director’s powers were limited in terms of
clause 12.1 of MMH’s MOI;
58.3.1
The limitation of powers triggered the necessity of
a special
resolution. No special resolution was passed;
58.3.1
Although GEPF denied sufficient approval due to lack
of shareholding
authorisation in the loan application, GEPF failed expand the
argument in the loan application, as it now does.
61.5
The Applicants in reply do not spesifically deal with PIC and GEPF’s
contention relating to the necessity of a special resolution nor do
they dispute the requirement of a special resolution nor that
PIC and
GEPF have dealt with and applied the provisions and sub-provisions of
clause 12.1 of the MOI incorrectly.
61.6
The Applicants in reply, simply refer to the provisions raised by
PIC
and GEPF in the MOI as “
apparent provision in the shareholders’
agreement
”. No weight can be attached to that as the
contention of special resolution is clearly demonstrated in terms of
the MOI and
not shareholdrs agreement.
61.7
The Applicants further
refer to the provisons relied upon as the “
apparent
provisions
” by
stating that the reference to same “
locates
the Respondents into the fold of contempt of court, of a different
kind
”.
[17]
The absurdity of the remark is clear.
61.8
Remaining unchallenged this Court accepts the correctness of clause
12.1 and the sub-clauses as set out in the MOI as referred to and
deals with it on that basis.
61.9
Applying it to the facts, it would appear that due to Mr Mapornya’s
personal and financial interest in all the transactions MMH was
encumbered to comply with the provisions of theit MOI due to
the limited powers of the directors.and pass a special resolution.
61.10
MMH although cited elected not to enter the arena in this application
nor filed a
confirmatory affidavit to advance PIC and GEPF’s
contention of lack of sufficient approval of their shareholders at
the material
time, by confirming it as a fact.
61.11
However as at May 2019 GEPF became the sole shareholder of MMH and is
in a position
to give credence to the proposition.
61.12
Having regard to all the
fatcs ventilated in this application the suspensive condition has not
been fulfilled due to a lack of authority
by for the transactions by
way of special resolution. In the premises, the agreements would have
lapsed
[18]
and an enquiry into their enforceability as contended by PIC nad GEPF
is unnecessary.
61.13
The necessity to deal with the prescription as a result of the non
performance of
the agreements as relied upon by GEPF too appears
unnecessary as it would require the Court to accept the premise that
the Applicants,
on their version, have established rights flowing
from the agreements to warrant performance, which it cannot.
APPLICANTS’ ARGUMENT IN
SUPPORT OF RELIEF
[62]
The Applicants in their
founding papers, in support of the declaratory and mandatory relief,
rely on the contention that the interim
interdict in no way restricts
the transfer albeit continuation of the transfer and registration of
the properties and rely on the
several propositions
[19]
in support thereof.
[63]
None of the propositions
advanced by the Applicants assist them with the fundamental enquiry
for both declaratory and/or final interdictory
relief namely, in
causa
,
the establishment of a clear right,
[20]
albeit an interest in a right
[21]
flowing from the agreements to enable Geyser attorneys to proceed
with the transfer and registration of the properties.
[64]
To illustrate the point,
Applicants’ Counsel in argument and in his heads contends that the
Applicants should have been cited as
a party in the interim
application. I cannot fault this proposition especially in the
circumstances when Mr Maponya has an interest
in the Applicants and
the thrust of the interim application, according to PIC and GEPF, was
to curtail the actions of Mr Maponya
in companies he controlled.
However, even if the case law relied upon by the Applicants favoured
their argument that such failure
to cite rendered the interim order
null and void,
[22]
the fact remains, absent the interim order the Applicants own failure
to establish its rights flowing
vis-à-vis
the written agreements is fatal.
[65]
Put another way Geyser attorneys as a matter of fact and law
would be
unable to commence with the transfer of the properties as a result of
the Applicants’ own failure to establish their rights
in terms of
the written agreements.
[66]
The Applicants’
remaining propositions too, do not assist the Court with the
necessity to nor its approach in determining declaratory
relief as
set out in Section 2(1)(c) of the Superior Court Act.
[23]
[67]
To yet again illustrate
the point, the two-stage enquiry dealt with in
Cordiant
Trading CC v Daimler Chrysler Finance Services (Pty) Ltd
,
[24]
adopted by Watermeyer JA in
Durban
City Council v Association of Building Societies
[25]
is namely:
67.1
the court must be satisfied that the applicant is a person interested
in an existing, future, or contingent right or obligation, and then
if so satisfied;
67.2
the court must decide whether the case is a proper one for the
exercise
of discretion conferred on it.
[68]
Applying the legal enquiry at stage one, the Applicants must
fail
therefore stage two is not triggered, necessitating the Court’s
exercise of its discretion one way or another. The declarator
must fail.
[69]
Relying upon the same legal enquiry, the final interdictory
relief at
prayers 3(B) and 3(C) necessitating,
inter alia
, the
establishment of a clear right and the Applicants failure to set our
facts sustaining final relief, the final relief must fail.
COSTS
[70]
There is no reason why the costs should not
follow the result. PIC and GEPF request attorney own client costs.
[71]
Whether a punitive cost order is justified as
relied upon and further whether the suggestion that Mr Maponya should
personally be
levied with costs as the Eighth Respondent is in the
Court’s discretion. The Court has considered all the circumstances,
all the
allegations levied against Mr Maponya and Mr Maponya’s
opposing affidavit and the circumstances in which the relief was
sought
on an urgent basis.
[72]
The Court too has been requested to deal with
the costs occasioned by the applications being struck from the
urgent roll due
to or lack of urgency and the Applicants request is
to confine it to the wasted costs in so far as the papers have
remained the same.
Having
regard to all the circumstances the following order:
1.
The application is dismissed;
2.
The Applicants are jointly and severally
ordered to pay the Third and the Fourth Respondent’s costs on an
attorney own client scale,
such costs occasioned by this application
including the wasted costs occasioned by the urgent application, the
costs to include the
employment costs of two Counsel.
L.A. RETIEF
Acting Judge of the High Court
Appearances
:
Applicants’
Counsel:
Advocate M.E. Manala
Menlyn Maine Chambers
Email:
manalae@law.co.za
Mobile: 087 312 1730
Applicants’
Attorney:
Manele & Co. Incorporated
Applicants’
Ref:
M&Co-T Manele/M0028
Third
& Fourth Respondents’ Counsel:
Phillip Mokoena
SC with Nosisa Kekana and Thato Seroto
Chambers, Johannesburg
Third
& Fourth Respondents’ Attorney:
Cliffe Dekker
Hofmeyr Incorporated
Third
& Fourth Respondents’ Ref:
M Mphafudi/T Fuhrmann/22008582
Eighth
Respondent’s Counsel:
Adv. D. Van Den Bogert
Menlyn Maine Chambers
Email:
dingnus@counseltsa.co.za
Eighth Respondent’s
Attorney:
Motala Attorneys Inc
Eighth Respondent’s
Ref:
TM/CVL/M00426
Date
of Hearing:
25 February 2022
Judgment
handed down:
1 April 2022
[1]
Rail
Commuters Action Group v Transnet Limited t/a Metrorail
[2004] ZACC 20
;
2005 (2) SA 359
(CC);
2005 (4) BCLR 301
(CC) (Rail
Commuters).
[2]
“
KM2”
Eighth Respondent’s explanatory affidavit, caseline (016-224)
[3]
Supra
footneore 2 at para 10.1.1 caseline (016-226)
[4]
“
KM1”
SCA Judgment 110/2019
Eighth
Respondent’s explanatory affidavit, caselines (016-202).
[5]
“
KM6”
Eighth Respondent’s explanatory affidavit, caselines
(016-375).
[6]
“
AMS18”
answering affidavit (006-201) and Para 12.1 “KM3” Eighth
Respondent’s explanatory affidavit, caselines (016-273).
[7]
“
KM7”
Eighth Respondent’s explanatory affidavit, caselines (016-377).
“AMS 19”, para E at caselines (006-203).
[8]
para
2.5, Third and Fourth Respondents’ answering affidavit, caselines
(006-26).
[9]
para
5 and 8 Geyser explanatory affidavit (caselines 009-4-6).
[10]
Competition
Commission of SA vs Hosken Consolidated Investment Ltd and Others
CCT
296/17 at 85.
[11]
Reference
to “
hereof
”
means the loan application.
[12]
[2014]
ZACC 15
[13]
“
A1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6” to response to rule 35(12) notice;
Offer to Purchase,
caselines (004-8 to 004-37) read with “FA3”
Offer to Purchase, caselines (001-40-001-44).
[14]
para
2 of “A1”,
supra
footnote 13.
[15]
p
ara
8.7 “KM5” Eighth Respondent’s explanatory affidavit caselines
(016-273-356).
[16]
supra,
footnote 15.
[17]
See paragraph 26 and 27 of the
replying affidavit.
[18]
Fairbancks
Investment v S Olivier (268/07) [2008] ZASCA 41
[19]
para
[6].
[20]
In
respect of final relief.
[21]
In
respect of a declarator.
[22]
Dada
v Dada
1977 (2) SA
287
(T) at 288C-F,
Henry
Viljoen (Pty) Ltd v Awerbuch Bros
1953 (2) SA 151
(O) at 165-171 and
DF
Scott (EP) (Pty) Ltd v Golden Valley Supermarket
2002 (6) SA 297
(SCA) at 201-302.
[23]
Para
[8].
[24]
2005 (6) SA 205 (SCA).
[25]
1942 AD 27
para 18.
sino noindex
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