Case Law[2024] ZAWCHC 339South Africa
Fairview Golf Estate Home Owners' Association v Feng (7745/2024) [2024] ZAWCHC 339; [2025] 1 All SA 331 (WCC) (29 October 2024)
Judgment
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# South Africa: Western Cape High Court, Cape Town
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## Fairview Golf Estate Home Owners' Association v Feng (7745/2024) [2024] ZAWCHC 339; [2025] 1 All SA 331 (WCC) (29 October 2024)
Fairview Golf Estate Home Owners' Association v Feng (7745/2024) [2024] ZAWCHC 339; [2025] 1 All SA 331 (WCC) (29 October 2024)
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sino date 29 October 2024
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF
SOUTH AFRICA
WESTERN CAPE DIVISION,
CAPE TOWN
Case no: 7745/2024
In the matter between:
FAIRVIEW
GOLF ESTATE HOME OWNERS’
ASSOCIATION
Applicants
and
WEI-YU
FENG
Identity
number: 8[…]
Respondent
JUDGMENT
BORGSTRÖM AJ:
1.
The
Fairview Golf Estate (“
the
Estate
”)
is located in Gordon’s Bay, comprising residential nodes
clustered around a 9-hole golf course. The Applicant (“
the
HOA
”)
is a body corporate,
[1]
with
broad responsibilities for the care and control of the Estate, and
control over all development in the Estate.
[2]
In terms of article 15.1 of the HOA’s duly approved
Constitution (“
the
HOA Constitution
”),
[3]
the “
business
and affairs
”
of the HOA are managed and controlled by its Board of Trustees (“
the
BoT
”).
[4]
2.
The
Respondent (“
Mr
Feng
”)
has over several years bought and developed properties in the Estate.
As a property owner in the Estate, Mr Feng is (and
has at all
relevant times been) a member of the HOA – and is bound by the
terms of the HOA Constitution.
[5]
3.
It appears that the relationship between Mr Feng and the BoT
has been strained for some time. This has given rise to previous
litigation,
culminating in the current matter – in which the
HOA seeks an order for the provisional sequestration of Mr Feng’s
estate., in accordance with sections 9(1) and 10 of the Insolvency
Act 24 of 1936 (“
the Act
”).
4.
The relationship between the HOA and Mr Feng is marked by
mutual antipathy, serious allegations of dishonesty, and
recriminations.
None of this is immediately relevant.
5.
What is relevant is that at some time in or before 2021, Mr
Feng obtained approvals to establish sectional title schemes on two
of the erven in the Estate that he then owned at the time. This
frustrated the members of the BoT at the time, who took the view
that
Mr Feng did not have the right to effectively subdivide the two erven
through the creation of sectional title schemes. The
HOA thus refused
to issue “
levy clearance certificates
” to Mr Feng,
which he required in order to transfer the arising sectional units to
new owners.
6.
Mr
Feng thus brought two interlinked applications before this Court, in
which he sought to compel the HOA to issue the requisite
certificates
for the two affected erven (“
the
previous applications
”).
[6]
The HOA opposed both applications, which were set down before this
Court for hearing on 14 March 2023.
7.
However,
at some point before the hearing, the substantive relief sought in
both of the previous applications became moot. This
came about as Mr
Feng obtained documents that at least purported to be the requisite
clearance certificates; and he was able to
transfer the sectional
units on the two affected erven to new owners.
[7]
8.
Only the issue of liability for the costs of both applications
remained unresolved. In identical Orders of 14 March 2023, this Court
(per Ms Justice Cloete – “
the Orders
”),
which:
8.1.
Recorded that the main relief in both of the previous
applications had become moot; and
8.2.
Each party would bear its own costs, save that Mr Feng would
be liable for identified wasted costs incurred by the HOA (relating
to postponements on 30 May 2022 and 27 October 2022; and costs
incurred as a result of Mr Feng persisting with the previous
applications
after 27 October 2023).
9.
The wasted costs were duly taxed. On 29 November 2023, this
Court’s Taxing Master issued an
allocatur
which
determined that Mr Feng’s liability to the HOA was in the
amount of R172 349.36. On 30 November 2023 the HOA’s
attorneys send a demand for payment of this amount by no later than
Monday, 4 December 2023.
10.
Mr Feng has not at any stage disputed his liability to the HOA
for the amount in the
allocatur
. However, he has not made
payment as required. As a result, on 6 December 2023, the HOA
obtained a warrant of execution against
Mr Feng’s movable
property (“
the warrant
”) situated at his property
located at 1[…] S[…] Drive, Gordon’s Bay (“
Mr
Feng’s residence
”). This residence is also in the
Estate.
11.
After several attempts, the warrant was personally served on
Mr Feng on 1 February 2024 at his residence, by a Deputy Sheriff
of this Court for Strand – Mr K Daniels (“
the Deputy
Sheriff
”). The return of service (“
the return
”)
indicates that the Deputy Sheriff explained “
the nature and
exigency
” of the process to Mr Feng, and demanded payment.
Mr Feng, however, informed the Deputy Sheriff that “
it was
impossible to pay the amount claimed or any sum
”. The
return continues that the Deputy Sheriff thereafter identified and
attached items of household furniture, electronic
equipment, and
appliances – with an estimated value of just R7 500 (“
the
attached property
”). The Deputy Sheriff indicated in the
return that these items “
were pointed out to me / found by
me
”.
12.
As it happens, the HOA was not even able to
obtain the value of the attached property. Mr Feng’s mother, Ms
Li Chung Feng,
submitted a claim that the attached property actually
belonged to her.
13.
In a letter of 13 February 2024 the HOA’s
attorneys advised Mr Feng’s attorneys that his actions, as
represented in
the return, amounted to an “
act
of insolvency
” as provided for in
section 8(b) of the Act – and that the HOA would launch an
application for the sequestration of
Mr Feng’s estate. A duly
appointed trustee could then deal with Mr Feng’s moveable and
immovable property (and could
also deal with Ms Feng’s claim to
the attached property).
14.
Mr Feng and his attorneys did not respond.
15.
In the current application the HOA asserts
that in these circumstances it has fulfilled the requirements in
section 10 of the Act,
and is entitled to obtain relief for the
provisional sequestration of Mr Feng’s estate, in that:
15.1.
The HOA has a liquidated claim against Mr
Feng, which is due and payable – as required in terms of
sections 9(1) and 10(a)
of the Act.
15.2.
Mr Feng’s actions, reflected in the
return, amount to an “
act of
insolvency
” as referred to in
section 8(b) and 10(b) of the Act. (I note that in its founding
papers, the HOA submitted that –
in the alternative – Mr
Feng was factually insolvent. The HOA does not, however, persist with
this contention).
15.3.
There is a clear advantage to creditors, as
required in terms of section 10(c) of the Act. This is so in that Mr
Feng is the registered
owner of three immoveable properties, all of
which are unbonded. These include: (a) Mr Feng’s residence in
the Estate (erf
6
[…]
, Gordon’s
Bay), which he purchased on 14 November 2015 for R260 000; (b)
Erf 9
[…]
, Gordon’s Bay
(situated at 2
[…]
D
[…]
Street, Dobson, Gordon’s Bay) which he
purchased on 31 January 2020 for R535 000; and (c) Erf 5
[…]
,
Gordon’s Bay which he purchased on 13 November 2023 for
R780 000. Considering the purchase prices, the HOA submits
that
the properties would have a likely of more than R1.5 million. Against
this, the likely costs of sequestration would be R266 577.13
–
leaving at least R1 234 422.876 for distribution to the HOA
as a concurrent creditor, which would settle its
claim in full. Mr
Feng admits that he owns all of these properties, and that they are
unencumbered. He states that his residence
is in fact worth R2 285
000; erf 9
[…]
is valued at
R850 000; and erf 5
[…]
is
valued at R780 000.
16.
In argument, Mr
Heunis
, who appeared on behalf of the
HOA, urged me to go further and to exercise the Court’s powers
to grant a “
just
” order – in accordance with
section 9(5) of the Act – and to grant a final order of
sequestration.
17.
Based on my understanding of Mr Feng’s answering papers
(deposed to on 23 May 2023), it appears that he opposes the
application
on four bases:
17.1.
First
, he contends that the HOA is not properly
before this Court. In this regard, Mr Feng notes that the HOA’s
founding
affidavit was deposed to by Mr Christopher John Grimsom (“
Mr
Grimson
”), in his stated capacity as the chairperson of the
HOA’s BoT; and relies on a resolution of BoT of 8 May 2023. Mr
Feng, however, disputes that Mr Grimson was properly appointed to the
BoT. He also disputes that the BoT’s resolution of 8
May 2023
indicates that it resolved to bring the current application, or
authorised Mr Grimson to depose to affidavits on behalf
of the HOA.
17.2.
Second
, he presents a sprawling argument in
which he contends that the founding papers in the current application
were not properly served
on him. and the position of chairperson.
17.3.
Third
, he disputes the HOA’s central
contention that he committed an act of insolvency as defined in
section 8(b) of the Act. In
this regard, Mr Feng disputes the factual
correctness of the contents of the return of service.
17.4.
Fourth
, he disputes that the HOA establishes any
factual insolvency, a debt that is is due and payable, or advantage
to creditors.
MR FENG’S
INTERLOCUTORY APPLICATION
18.
Shortly before filing answering papers in the main
application, Mr Feng caused his attorneys to issue a notice in terms
of Rule
7(1) (“
the Rule 7(1) notice
”), in which he
required the HOA to provide:
18.1.
Any resolutions of the BoT authorising the institution of
proceedings, and authorising Mr Grimson to depose to affidavits on
behalf
of the HOA.
18.2.
A notice of the HOA’s last Annual General Meeting
(“
AGM
”), and the minutes of the AGM (at which the
current members of the BoT were “
purportedly elected
”).
18.3.
The minutes of every meeting of the BoT during the preceding
24 months.
18.4.
A copy of the BoT’s minute book for the preceding 24
months, showing where the current members of the BoT were elected
and/or
provided authority to bring the current application.
19.
In response, the HOA
issued a notice in
terms of Rule 30 of the Uniform Rules, positing that the Rule 7(1)
notice constituted an irregular step in that,
inter
alia
:
19.1.
Rule 7(1) related to a contestation of the
authority of an attorney representing one of the parties, and not to
the authority of
a deponent; and
19.2.
Rule 7(1) did not allow a party to call for
specific documents.
20.
In the event, on 11 June 2024 Mr Feng
brought an interlocutory application, which was set down for hearing
at the same date as the
main matter. The interlocutory application
was
purportedly made in terms of Rule 7(1) of this Court’s
Uniform Rules, and sought orders:
20.1.
Directing the HOA to deliver the documents referred to in the
Rule 7(1) notice within 10 days; and
20.2.
Postponing the main application
sine die
, only to be
set down again after the documents had been provided.
21.
On 1 July 2024 the HOA simultaneously filed its replying
papers in the main application; and its answering papers in the
interlocutory
application. In both cases, Mr Grimson dealt with the
attack on his authority and his status as the HOA’s
chairperson.
22.
But Mr Feng remained unmoved, and persisted with his demand
for the relief in his interlocutory application. At the hearing, the
parties agreed that I should first hear arguments regarding the
interlocutory application before continuing to the main application.
After hearing these arguments, I dismissed the interlocutory
application, with costs. As a result, the parties proceeded to
arguments
regarding the main application.
23.
I indicated that the reasons for dismissing the interlocutory
application would be provided together with the judgment in the main
application, which I do when dealing with the issue of authority.
MR GRIMSON’S
POSITION AND AUTHORISATION
24.
As noted above, in the founding affidavit presented on behalf
of the HOA, Mr Grimson indicated that: he was the chairperson of the
BoT, and that he was “
duly authorised to depose to this
affidavit on behalf of the HOA as is confirmed by a copy of a
resolution marked ‘CJG1’
dated 8 May 2023 confirming this
fact
.”
25.
However, Mr Grimson’s statements and the resolution of 8
May 2023, did not satisfy Mr Feng; and he notes that he found
it
“
telling
” that the resolution did not “
confer
upon Grimson authority to bring this application
”.
26.
Mr Feng’s approach is somewhat pedantic. It ought to
have been obvious that the resolution of 8 May 2023 could only have
related
to the fact of Mr Grimson’s appointment as chairperson
of the BoT; and could
not
relate to any authorisation relating
to the current proceedings. After all, the entire basis for the HOA’s
application is
premised on a debt arising from the
allocatur
issued by this Court’s Taxing Master on 29 November 2023.
27.
The attached resolution is also quite clear in that it records
a “
resolution to select Christopher Grimson as Chairperson
of the
[BoT]
with immediate effect
”. It appears from
the face of the resolution that it was approved by three members of
the BoT (all of whom counter-sign the
resolution); with one member
opposing and another two abstaining.
28.
In any event, based on his own suspicions, Mr Feng caused his
attorneys to issue the Rule 7(1) notice referred to above. As also
noted above, the HOA posited that this was an irregular step.
29.
In his replying affidavit in the main application (and
answering affidavit in the interlocutory application), Mr Grimson
refers
to and attaches a resolution of the BoT, dated 28 February
2024, in which it “
resolved, ratified and confirmed that
”:
29.1.
The HOA’s attorneys of record were authorised to proceed
with an application for the sequestration of Mr Feng’s estate;
and
29.2.
Mr Grimson, in his capacity as the chairperson of the HOA, was
“
authorised to sign all relevant documentation and
affidavits which may be necessary for the abovementioned
application
”.
30.
The resolution records the names of four members of the HOA,
and is counter-signed by each of them (including Mr Grimson).
31.
In his replying affidavit, Mr Grimson also confirms that he is
authorised to bring the current proceedings on behalf of the HOA.
He
further named the eight current members of BoT.
32.
One would have expected that this resolution, read together
with the resolution of 8 May 2023 (appointing Mr Grimson as
chairperson
of the HOA), should have put an end to Mr Feng’s
challenges to Mr Grimson’s authorisation. But this was not to
be.
Instead, Mr Feng doubled-down by bringing the interlocutory
application, which is quite evidently a tool to extract documentation
from the HOA, on the apparently speculative basis that it would or
could form the basis for a renewed and strengthened challenge
to Mr
Grimson’s authorisation.
33.
Arising from this, it appears to me that two issues arise,
being: (a) Whether Rule 7(1) can be employed as a means to extract
documentation
from the HOA; and (b) whether Mr Feng has established
any basis on which this Court might be inclined to ‘look
behind’
the validity of the BoT’s resolution of 8 May
2023 (to appoint Mr Grimson as chairperson), or the BoT’s
resolution
of 28 February 2024 (authorising the current application
and empowering Mr Grimson to sign all relevant documents and
affidavits).
34.
I deal with each of these issues below. But, in my view, both
of the above issues must fail for the same reason: Mr Feng has failed
to raise a direct challenge to any resolutions of the AGM or a
meeting or the BoT.
35.
In
the context of any exercise of public powers the principle is now
well-established that decisions stand as valid; and must be
acknowledged as fact until they are set aside. Even in the case of
decisions that may appear to have been taken in a manner that
is
ultra vires cannot simply be disregarded as a nullity.
[8]
36.
In
my view the same principle must apply, for the same reasons, in
respect of decisions taken by a juristic body like the HOA –
which was established as a condition for the approval of land use
planning when the Estate was established; pursuant to statutory
requirements.
[9]
37.
In the current context, this is underscored by the HOA
Constitution:
37.1.
Clause 16.9 states that “
all competent resolutions
recorded in the minutes of any Trustee Committee shall be valid and
of full force and effect as therein
recorded, with effect from the
passing of such Resolutions, and until varied or rescinded , but no
Resolution or purported Resolution
of the Trustee Committee shall be
of any force and effect, or shall be binding on members or on any of
the Trustees unless such
Resolution is competent within the powers of
the Trustee Committee
”.
37.2.
Clause 16.11 states that “
a Resolution signed by the
Trustees shall be valid in all respects as if it had been duly passed
as a meeting of the Trustee Committee
duly convened.
”
37.3.
Clause 16.12 states that “
all acts done by a meeting
of the Trustees or a Committee of the Trustees shall, notwithstanding
that it be afterwards discovered
that there was some defect in the
appointment of any such Trustee or person acting as aforesaid or that
they or any of them are
disqualified, be valid as if every such
person had been duly appointed and were qualified to be a Trustee.
”
38.
Furthermore, when I asked, I was informed by Mr
Heunis
(for the HOA) that the HOA is a “
community scheme
”
registered under the Community Schemes Ombud Services Act (“
the
CSOS Act
”). As such, in terms of section 39(4)(b) and (c)
of the CSOS Act, the Community Schemes Ombud Service (“
CSOS
”)
has jurisdiction to consider matters in which a challenge is made as
to whether a meeting of the HOA or the BoT is validly
convened; and a
challenge that any resolution taken at the AGM or a meeting of the
BoT is either invalid or void.
39.
Furthermore, in terms of section 41(1) of the CSOS Act,
Mr Feng had 60 days after any resolution was taken at a meeting of
the HOA or the BoT to challenge that resolution.
40.
Mr Feng thus cannot ask this Court to ignore any decisions or
resolutions of HOA and its BoT – including the resolutions of
8
May 2023 and 28 February 2024.
(a)
The Rule 7(1) notice
41.
In
my view Rule 7(1) can be appropriately employed to challenge the
authority of a deponent claiming to represent a party; and is
not
merely limited to the authority of the attorneys representing any
party.
[10]
42.
But this does not assist Mr Feng. The only challenges he can
raise are to the authority of Mr Grimson, based on allegations that
he is not a member of the BoT appointed at the 2022 AGM, and as such
cannot claim be chairperson of the BoT; and allegations that
the BoT
did not authorise the current proceedings, or authorise Mr Grimson to
depose to affidavits on behalf of the HOA.
43.
These
contentions have been fully met by the production of the BoT’s
resolutions of 8 May 2023 and 28 February 2024. The fact
that the
BoT’s resolution of 28 February 2024 was not attached to
the founding papers is not of any particular importance.
When Mr Feng
(in answer) questions whether the BoT authorised the current
proceedings, and whether Mr Grimson is authorised to
represent the
HOA, the resolution of 28 February 2024 was produced in reply. This
is not new material improperly raised in reply,
but a valid response
to a contention raised in Mr Feng’s answering papers.
[11]
44.
For the rest, Mr Feng’s Rule 7(1) notice and his
interlocutory application have a very different goal: Namely to
compel the
production of documentary evidence in the hope that these
documents will provide a stronger challenge to Mr Grimson’s
authority and the validity of the resolutions of 8 May 2023 and 28
February 2024. This is not the purpose of Rule 7(1).
45.
In my view, Mr Feng had other tools at his disposal which he
ought to have used if he wished to challenge the BoT’s ability
to bring proceedings against him.
45.1.
In the
first
place, he could have demanded
information from the BoT in terms of his rights under the HOA
Constitution; and if refused, he could
have brought an application
for a mandatory interdict to compel compliance with the terms of the
HOA Constitution. But he did not
do so, and in any event, the HOA has
invited him to access minutes of the meetings of the BoT.
45.2.
In the
second
place, he could have exercised his
rights under the
Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000
.
Again, he failed to do so.
45.3.
In the
third
place, he could have sought an
application under Rule 34(13) of the Uniform Rules, for this Court to
direct that the rules of discovery
should apply to the current
matter. Again, he did not do so.
46.
But even so, Mr Feng’s problem is not constrained to his
procedural mistake in relying on the wrong Rule. As dealt with above,
even if he could lay his hands on all of the documents he seeks, this
would only assist him if he could then use the information
to raise a
direct challenge to the BoT’s resolutions of 8 March 2023
and/or 28 February 2024 before CSOS, or alternatively,
before this
Court. I see no reasonable prospect that any such challenge would
have any reasonable chance of succeeding.
(b)
Mr Grimson’s appointment as
chairperson
47.
Mr Feng points out the following:
47.1.
At a contentious AGM held on 13 June 2022, seven property
owners were appointed to the BoT. Thereafter, five members of the BoT
resigned, leaving only two BoT members (Mr Robert Young and Mr Paul
Govender). Th HOA adds that the five BoT members who resigned
did so
on the basis that the AGM process was flawed
47.2.
In order to ensure the continued operation of the BoT, the
managing agent of the Estate arranged for three property owners to be
co-opted as members of the BoT, including Mr Feng. These members of
the BoT were to remain until a Special General Meeting (”
SGM
”)
to be held on 20 September 2022. The HOA contends that such co-option
was not possible, as the two remaining BoT members
could by
themselves make a resolution to co-opt new members to join the BoT.
It is not clear to me why any of this historical material
is
relevant.
47.3.
Mr Feng notes that “
on or about 20 September 2022 an
SGM was supposedly convened in which new Trustees were supposedly
appointed.
” Clearly Mr Feng elected not to attend, or to
stand for further appointment as a member of the BoT. He refers to a
newsletter
received at some point after the SGM, but this does not
disclose who was appointed to the BoT.
47.4.
No further AGM has been held since June 2022, despite the
requirement that an AGM be held every year. On this basis Mr Feng
suggests
that the members of the BoT elected in June 2022 cannot
lawfully continue to act. In that capacity, and Mr Grimson cannot
present
himself as the chairperson of the BoT.
48.
Mr Feng’s concerns are met by the HOA, which notes the
names of seven people who were appointed as BoT members at the SGM
(being Lyn Govender; Hendrik Buys; Dudley Paulton; Nabeel Bassadien;
Naweed Johnson; Maryna Van Rensburg (who resigned and was replaced
by
Pieter Theron); and Brian Davids.
49.
In addition other property owners in the Estate now serve as
members of the BoT – being Mr Grimson (who serves as
chairperson,
which is confirmed by the resolution of 8 May 2023); Mr
Louis Kruger; and Mr Attie Sadie.
50.
The appointment of new members to the BoT outside of an AGM is
not contentious. Clause 15.3 of the HOA Constitution allows the BoT
to co-opt onto the BoT any member of HOA, or the spouse of a member
of the HOA. Such co-opted members enjoy all the rights, and
are
subject to all of the obligations of a Trustee. This is necessary to
ensure that the BoT at all times consists of at least
5 members (as
required by clause 12.3 of the HOA Constitution).
51.
In my view Mr Feng is correct to flag as a
concern that the HOA has not held an AGM since 2022, contrary to the
requirements of
the HOA Constitution – which envisages that an
AGM is held every year. This is clearly undesirable. But he is
clearly mistaken
when he suggests that, as a result, the people
appointed at that 2022 AGM automatically lost their membership of the
BoT after
a year; or that they could not make decisions to co-opt new
members onto the BoT.
52.
On the contrary, clause 12.4 of the HOA
Constitution affirms that members of the BoT elected at the AGM
“
shall remain in office until the
following
[AGM]”; and clause 12.5
of the HOA provides the same for co-opted members of the BoT.
53.
In these circumstances, there is no obvious
basis for Mr Feng to contend that the HOA currently does not have a
BoT; or that the
existing members of the BoT have lost their powers
in any manner to make decisions (in accordance with the HOA
Constitution). Mr
Feng’s remedy is to compel the BoT to call an
AGM.
54.
Furthermore, there is no obvious basis to
doubt the resolutions of 8 May 2023 (appointing Mr Grimson as
chairperson); or 28 February
2024 (authorising these proceedings, and
Mr Grimson’s power to sign any process). The quorum for
meetings of the BoT is three
persons (clause 16.3 of the HOA
Constitution); and decisions are made with the approval of 50% of the
members present.
55.
Also, clause 31.8 of the HOA empowers the
BoT to institute legal proceedings in any Court having jurisdiction.
SERVICE OF THE
FOUNDING PAPERS ON MR FENG
56.
A return of service included in the Court file indicates that
on 18 April 2024 at 9h30, the same Deputy Sheriff (as referred to in
paragraph 11 above) personally served the “
the Notice of
Motion in this matter
” on Mr Feng at his residence (being
the same residence as referred to in paragraph 10 above). The return
also indicates that
the Deputy Sheriff handed a copy of the papers to
Mr Feng “
after explaining the nature and exigency of the
said process
”’ and records an appearance date of 30
April 2024.
57.
On 30 April 2024 this Court (per Ms Justice Ndita) granted an
Order,
by agreement between the HOA and Mr Feng
:
57.1.
Postponing the hearing to the semi-urgent roll the Fourth
Division of this Court, to be heard on 5 August 2024;
57.2.
Setting out a timetable for the filing of answering and
replying papers, and directing that heads of argument would be filed
in
terms of this Court’s practice directives; and
57.3.
Directing that costs would stand over for later determination.
58.
But in his answering papers in the main application Mr Feng
argues that the return of 18 April 2024 is untrue. He states that he
did not see the Deputy Sheriff on this day, and he found the founding
papers in his post box (on 18 April 2024). Mr Feng immediately
took
the papers to his attorney of record.
59.
Mr Feng’s attorney then took this up with the Sheriff of
this Court for Strand, Mr Deon Burger (“
the Sheriff
”).
In response, the Deputy Sheriff provided an affidavit (deposed to on
10 May 2024), in which he stated that he introduced
himself to Mr
Feng and explained the content of the documents. Mr Feng refused to
accept the documents, and indicated that he would
take this up with
his attorney. When Mr Feng failed to reappear, the Deputy Sherrif
placed the documents in Mr Feng’s post
box.
60.
Mr Feng’s attorneys reverted on 15 May 2024, indicating
that he was
not
taking issue with the contents of the Deputy
Sheriff’s affidavit (which he was taking up with Mr Feng), “
but
rather how the process was brought to
[Mr Feng’]
attention
that remains unanswered
.” It was also pointed out that this
did not explain why the version placed in Mr Feng’s post box
did not contain a
manuscript addition in the Notice of Motion, which
indicated that the matter would serve before this Court on 30 April
2024. Mr
Feng’s attorney concluded by asserting that “
it
is indisputable that the return and events do not align
”.
In this Court Mr Feng states in stronger terms that the Deputy
Sheriff’s affidavit “
differed materially
”
from the content of the return of 18 April 2024.
61.
In a further response of 15 May 2024, the Sheriff explained
that Mr Feng had refused to open the gate to his property (although
he had obtained confirmation from a person who had opened a “
buite
hek
”, or outer gate, for the Deputy Sheriff). Mr Feng
stated that he had his attorney on his telephone, and reported that
his
attorney had advised him not to accept service. (The Sherrif
quite understandably indicates that he trusts that Mr Feng’s
attorney would not have given such advice).
62.
The Sheriff continued that the Deputy Sheriff had spoken to Mr
Feng personally, and that the Deputy Sheriff’s affidavit
indicated
that Mr Feng walked away and did not reappear. On the basis
that the Deputy Sheriff had spoken to Mr Feng, this was taken as
personal
service, and the documents were placed in the post box. The
Sheriff confirmed that he was satisfied that this constituted
personal
service – while at the same time acknowledging that
the Deputy Sheriff’s description in his return could have been
more fully expressed. He had taken this up with the Deputy Sheriff.
63.
In a final riposte of 15 May 2024, Mr Feng’s attorney
insisted that his client stuck to his version, and that the return
and
the deputy Sheriff’s affidavit presented contradictory
versions. This would be raised before this Court and the Deputy
Sheriff
could be called to explain himself. It was also contended
that the Deputy Sheriff’s versions were improbable if regard
was
had to the layout of the property; the fact that Mr Feng was
supposedly travelling to an (unnamed) correspondent attorney at the
time (9h30); and that Mr Feng called his attorney at 11h00 when he
found the documents in his post box.
64.
Ultimately Mr Feng contends that flowing from the above this
Court should make a finding that there has been no compliance with
Rule 4 of the Uniform Rules, which is “
pre-emptive
”,
and that the application should be dismissed on this basis alone.
65.
I am not inclined to make any finding that
the Deputy Sheriff was deliberately untruthful in completing the
return of service of
18 April 2024, or in his affidavit of 10 May
2024.
66.
In the
first
place, in my view the differences between the Deputy Sheriff’s
return of service of 18 April 2024, and his affidavit of 10
May 2024,
do not indicate any obvious fabrication. I agree with the views
expressed by the Sheriff that the return of service could
have
relayed events more fully, but I do not see the startling
contradiction presented by Mr Feng and his attorney. The Deputy
Sheriff consistently states that he explained the documents to Mr
Feng. Furthermore, it would cause obvious frustration to the
work of
the office of the Sheriff if personal service could be avoided by a
person simply refusing to take the documents into their
hands. In my
view, the Deputy Sheriff was entitled to view his attempts to hand
the documents to Mr Feng as personal service.
67.
In the
second
place, Mr Feng must ask this Court to reject both the return and the
Deputy Sheriff’s affidavit; and to accept his unadorned
assertion that he did not see the Deputy Sheriff on 18 April 2024. I
am not inclined to do so on behalf of a party in application
proceedings, regarding contested factual events presented by a party
who is not even a party before the Court.
68.
Plainly the HOA cannot assist in presenting
additional facts in this regard. If Mr Feng wished this Court to make
such a factual
finding, he should have called for oral evidence on
this issue. This was not done.
69.
In the
third
place, I have grave concerns about Mr Feng’s scant dealings
with his activities on the day in support of his contention that
he
did not see the Deputy Sheriff on 18 April 2024. In his attorney’s
letter of 15 May 2024, it is suggested that at 9h30
on 18 April 2024
(i.e. the time that the Deputy Sheriff was present) Mr Feng was away
from home, travelling to a correspondent
attorney. This is not
repeated by Mr Feng under oath. All that he states is that he saw the
documents sticking out of his post
office when leaving his property
at 11h00.
70.
In the
fourth
place, even if Mr Feng’s version was to be accepted, his
argument places form over substance. Mr Feng clearly found the
documents on 18 April 2024; understood the contents; and was
represented in Court on 30 April 2024 when an Order was made for the
further handling of the matter. No issue was raised at that stage. He
also had a full opportunity to file answering papers (and
an
interlocutory application), and does not allege that any shortcomings
in the mode of service caused him any prejudice (material
or
otherwise).
71.
In these circumstances it would be
unjustifiable to allow Mr Feng to belatedly raise technical
shortcomings in service by the Sheriff
as a defence to the HOA’s
application. To the extent that there were any shortcomings in the
mode of service and compliance
with Rule 4, these are condoned.
ACT OF INSOLVENCY
72.
The HOA’s application relies on
section 8(a)
of the
Insolvency Act to
establish an act of insolvency.
This provides as follows:
“
A
debtor commits an act of insolvency -
…
(b)
if a court has given judgment
against him and he fails, upon the demand of the officer whose duty
it is to execute that judgment,
to satisfy it or to indicate to that
officer disposable property sufficient to satisfy it, or if it
appears from the return made
by that officer that he has not found
sufficient disposable property to satisfy the judgment
”
.
73.
The HOA points out that this provision
finds easy application. The Order of this Court of 30 April 2023
found that Mr Feng was liable
to the HOA for identified wasted costs.
These wasted costs have been taxed. Mr Feng has not sought to review
the Taxing Master’s
allocatur
.
Mr Feng failed to make payment, and a warrant of execution was duly
issued for the amount in the
allocatur
.
The Deputy Sheriff’s return indicates that
Mr Feng
informed the Deputy Sheriff that “
it was impossible to pay
the amount claimed or any sum
”; and based on items pointed
out and found, the Sheriff was only able to attach immovable property
to the value of R7 500.
But these attached goods are disputed by
Ms Feng.
74.
When
section 8(b) of the Act is triggered in this manner, the HOA was
entitled to bring an application for the sequestration of
Mr Feng’s
estate, without any proof that he is factually insolvent.
[12]
75.
Against this Mr Feng raises a factual dispute. Once again he
contends that the return issued by the Deputy Sheriff is factually
wrong. Mr Feng admits that the Deputy Sheriff “
attended upon
my residence on the day of 1 February 2024
”. He also
accepts that the Deputy Sheriff undertook an inspection to establish
an inventory of available movable property
in Mr Feng’s
residence; and that the only property identified by the Deputy
Sheriff in fact belongs to his mother.
76.
Mr Feng also does not dispute that the only property that the
Sheriff could identify for attachment at his residence had a value
of
just R7500; and that there was no other property at the residence
that could be attached to settle any part of the debt owed
to the
HOA.
77.
But for the rest Mr Feng contends as follows:
77.1.
He invited the Deputy Sheriff in, who sat down and advised Mr
Feng that he had to take an inventory of the goods in his house. Mr
Feng particularly recalls that the Deputy Sheriff told him that he
“
had a nice house
”.
77.2.
The Deputy Sheriff did not demand payment, and did not ask Mr
Feng to identify disposable property belonging to him. Mr Feng
contends
that the Sheriff took it upon himself to make an inventory
of goods, and “
if I said more than ‘please and thank
you’ to the [Deputy Sheriff] that was the extent of our
conversation
”.
77.3.
If the Deputy Sheriff had demanded payment and asked Mr Feng
to property, he would have pointed to: (a) his ownership of his
residence
– which Mr Feng states is unencumbered and has a
value of over R2 million; and (b) the other two immovable properties
that
he owns.
77.4.
The return does not state anywhere that the Deputy
Sheriff asked Mr Feng “
to point out disposable property
which includes immovable property
”.
78.
Against
the backdrop of these factual assertions, Mr
Aarninkhof
,
who appeared for Mr Feng, correctly notes that section 8(a) envisages
two “
separate
acts of insolvency
”.
[13]
78.1.
The
first
is where the debtor is served with a
writ by the Sheriff, and fails to satisfy the judgment or to
“
indicate disposable property sufficient for that purpose
”.
Based on his factual contentions, Mr Feng alleges that this did not
occur, and that if asked he would have pointed to his
immovable
properties.
78.2.
The
second
is where the debtor is served with a
writ by the Sheriff, and the Sheriff is unable to himself find
“
sufficient disposable property
” – whether
moveable or immovable. Mr Feng contends that this also did not happen
as the Sheriff would have to then
undertake a diligent search. If
this was done, the Sheriff would have identified Mr Feng’s
immovable properties as being
available.
79.
Based
on the judgment of the full court in
ABSA
Bank v Collier
,
[14]
the HOA clearly cannot rely on the second basis above. Although
acting in terms of a writ of execution against movables, the Deputy
Sheriff’s return cannot be regarded as the basis for a finding
that there is an act of insolvency in terms of section 8(b),
if the
Deputy Sheriff’s own efforts to find “
disposable
property
”
did not consider whether Mr Feng had available immovable property
that could be disposed of. This is true
a
fortiori
in cases in which Mr Feng’s properties are unencumbered; and it
would not pose an impossible obstacle to the HOA to obtain
a warrant
against at least two of Mr Feng’s properties (in that they are
not used as his primary residence).
80.
But
it is different in the first category of cases. If the debtor fails
(when asked by the Deputy Sheriff) to point out any movable
or
immovable property, an act of insolvency arises. This is confirmed in
ABSA
Bank Limited v Appelcryn
,
[15]
in which the
the
Court noted that the debtor had “
i
nformed
the Sherriff that he did not have sufficient movable assets with
which to satisfy the judgment debt
”,
and
failed
to point out his immovable properties. The Court distinguished these
facts from those in
ABSA
Bank v Collier
.
The Court held as follows:
“
In Collier, the
debtor had informed the Sherriff of his immovable property and that
its value would extinguish the indebtedness
owed to the creditor.
There was no suggestion in that case that the property, if sold,
would not extinguish the indebtedness
owed. In the present
case, the respondent failed to inform the Sherriff of the existence
and value of his immovable properties
or to point out disposable
property of sufficient value that could be used to expunge the debt
owed by him …
”.
81.
In
ABSA
Bank v Collier
,
the Sheriff’s return contained wording very similar to that in
the current case - i.e. that it was
“
impossible
to pay the amount claimed or any sum
”.
But the debtor alleged, as a fact, that he had informed the Sheriff
that he owned immovable property that could be disposed
of; and the
Sheriff acknowledged that he constrained his own investigation to
available movable property.
82.
In
this Mr Feng does
not
contend that he informed the Sheriff of the immovable properties in
his portfolio. He also does not contend that the Deputy Speaker
only
spoke to him regarding movable property. Rather, he contends that
this Court should make a factual finding that the Deputy
Sheriff did
not speak to him at all – i.e. the Deputy Sheriff failed to
inform Mr Feng of the debt; the Deputy Sheriff failed
to determine
from Mr Feng whether he had any disposable assets and could settle
the debt; the Deputy Sheriff failed to ask Mr Feng
to point out any
assets; and that Deputy Sheriff simply proceeded to walk around Mr
Feng’s residence, drawing up an inventory
of movable property.
83.
I
accept that,
if
Mr Feng’s factual allegations are accepted, then the HOA cannot
sustain any case that it has proven the existence of an act
of
insolvency in accordance with the requirements of section 8(a) of the
Act (based on the second scenario referred to in paragraph
78.2
above).
84.
But,
with respect, I find Mr Feng’s factual allegations impossible
to accept.
85.
In analysing the
factual dispute raised by Mr Feng, the starting point must be to note
section 43(2)
of the
Superior Courts Act 10 of 2013
– in terms
of which the Deputy Sheriff’s return is
prima
facie
proof
of its contents.
86.
Mr
Feng thus bears an evidential burden to raise a dispute, based on
“
the
clearest and most satisfactory evidence
”
[16]
.
Mr Feng thus cannot impeach the facts reflected in the Deputy
Sheriff’s return “
on
flimsy grounds or when there exists no reasonable basis on which to
do so
”.
87.
I
find that Mr Feng’s factual contentions are flimsy. In fact,
even if Mr Feng did not bear any evidentiary burden, his factual
allegations are – in the language adopted in
Plascon-Evans
– untenable.
In
Wightman
[17]
the SCA set out the test as follows:
“
A
real, genuine and bona fide dispute of fact can exist only
where the court is satisfied that the party who purports
to raise the
dispute has in his affidavit seriously and unambiguously addressed
the fact said to be disputed. There will of course
be instances where
a bare denial meets the requirement because there is no other way
open to the disputing party and nothing more
can therefore be
expected of him. But even that may not be sufficient if the fact
averred lies purely within the knowledge of the
averring party and no
basis is laid for disputing the veracity or accuracy of the averment.
When the facts averred are such that
the disputing party must
necessarily possess knowledge of them and be able to provide an
answer (or countervailing evidence) if
they be not true or accurate
but, instead of doing so, rests his case on a bare or ambiguous
denial the court will generally have
difficulty in finding that
the Plascon-Evans] test is satisfied.
”
[
88.
In this case Mr Feng’s factual
allegations are contradictory. He starts by portraying an amiable
interaction with the Deputy
Sheriff on 18 May 2024, with the Deputy
Sheriff sitting next to Mr Feng and commenting on the attractiveness
of Mr Feng’s
house. But the, moments later, Mr Feng contends
there was almost no communication between him and the Deputy Speaker.
89.
Furthermore, Mr Feng is clearly a savvy
businessman, who is no push-over. I do not rely on the Sheriff’s
statements that Mr
Feng is strident and known for his feisty actions.
Buit it is clear to me that it is almost impossible to lend credence
to the
idea that Mr Feng would simply sit back, and without more In
the circumstance I allow the Deputy Sheriff to wander around his
residence
without explanation.
90.
Finally, it is hard to believe that any
Deputy Sheriff would simply wander around a house, without any
interaction, drawing up an
inventory of goods.
91.
In the circumstances, I reject that Mr
Feng’s factual allegations, and the dispute of fact that he
attempts to raise, cannot
be accepted. This leaves the content of the
Deputy Sheriff’s return – which I believe is consistent
with an act of
insolvency in terns of section 8(b) of the Act.
THE DEBT AND ADVANTAGE
TO CREDITORS
92.
Mr Feng does not dispute the
allocatur
in the amount of R172 349.36. However, he denies that he is
indebted to the HOA.
93.
In this regard Mr Feng points to
correspondence sent by his attorney in September 2021 to the HOA’s
then managing agent, JPS
Trust (“
JPS
”).
In this correspondence, Mr Feng’s attorneys asks JPS to provide
authority for the basis on which it was withholding
Mr Feng’s
“
building deposits
”.
This was followed by correspondence in October 2021 in which Mr
Feng’s attorney sought details of the members of
the BoT, which
he required in order to launch court proceedings.
94.
Mr Feng informs this Court only that he
“
always intended to offet any
alleged indebtedness which I may owe to the
[HOA]
by the building deposits and
interest accrued.
”
95.
Mr Feng is clearly wrong when he suggests
that his indebtedness to the HOA under the
allocatur
is “
alleged
”.
This is established by his acceptance that the
allocatur
was issued by this Court’s Taxing Master.
96.
Moreover, any suggestion that set-off could
apply in these circumstances is, with respect, risible. Mr Feng fails
to explain anything
about the building deposits to which he refers;
the amounts involved; or why his claim against the HOA for repayment
should be
treated as liquidated damages which are due and payable. In
fact, Mr Feng’s own attorney’s letter indicates that the
HOA disputed liability to repay the amounts, and accordingly legal
proceedings against the HOA were threatened. I am not told whether
these threatened proceedings were in fact instituted, or whether such
proceedings have been further prosecuted.
97.
In addition, in the event that such legal
proceedings were not instituted, it is likely that Mr Feng’s
claim against the HOA
would now have prescribed. (This follows in
that his attorney’s correspondence indicates that Mr Feng was
aware of a potential
claim in September 2021).
98.
Mr Feng also attempts to argue that he
cannot be expected to pay any amount to the HOA in circumstances in
which the “
existence or otherwise
of the
[HOA]
remains
in doubt, auditors have raised qualified reports, [and] there exists
shorfalls in the accounts where there should be no
shorfall
”.
On this basis he proposes that he “
would
be willing to pay this amount into Court, further alternatively pay
same into my attorney’s trust account until such
time as the
[HOA]
is
able to present updated and clean financial statements, proof that it
is properly constituted, and that the funds are not going
to be
further misappropriated like the building deposits which I would seek
set-off of, alternatively a declaratory order that
it is properly
constituted.”
99.
This is an empty tender. Mr Feng does not
indicate that he has in fact paid any amount into his attorney’s
trust account.
100.
Furthermore, there is no reason why the HOA
should be burdened with the duty to meet all of Mr Feng’s
conditions. Mr Feng’s
liability to the HOA for the amount in
the
allocatur
is uncontested, and payment is due and payable. I do not see any
basis on which he can now demand that this Court should give its
imprimatur to his unilaterally imposed conditions before he makes
payment.
101.
Furthermore:
101.1.
Mr Feng’s concerns regarding the
HOA’s audit reports appears to relate link to concerns raised
by the auditor at the
AGM in June 2022. Mr Feng notes that the HOA’s
auditor presented a qualified report in June 2022, based on
identified irregularities.
But the only irregularity to which Mr Feng
draws attention is that the HOA had not kept separate
interest-bearing accounts to hold
building deposits. Mr Feng
continues that the auditor reported that such accounts had been
opened, but did not hold sufficient
funds to cover the building
deposits held at 28 February 2021.
101.2.
Mr Feng also notes that in July 2022 the
HOA’s auditor had resigned, based on his finding that a
reportable irregularity had
taken place, or was taking place in the
affairs of the HOA. But this irregularity is not further explained.
Mr Feng also does not
explain why such irregularity justifies his
refusal to pay the amount he owes to the HOA.
101.3.
At best it would seem that Mr Feng’s
concern may arise that the HOA may not have funds to repay his
building deposits. But
as already, noted, I am not placed in a
position to determine anything about such building deposits; or his
claim for the repayment
of building deposits to him by the HOA.
101.4.
I can also not make any finding that the
HOA is likely to “
misappropriate
”
funds paid to it, in a manner akin to the withholding of his building
deposits. As noted, the HOA appears to have disputed
liability to
repay such amounts to Mr Feng. It may also be that Mr Feng’s
claims against the HOA have prescribed. In these
circumstances, Mr
Feng’s loose allegation of misappropriation by the HOA is
regrettable. In any event, repayment of the amounts
that Mr Feng owes
to the HOA for wasted costs incurred in dealing with his previous
applications would only serve to place the
HOA in a better position
to fill the amounts it holds for building deposits.
101.5.
Mr
Feng’s contentions that the HOA is not properly constituted is
not explained, but would seem to be a repetition of his
contention
that the last AGM was held in June 2022. But, as dealt with above,
the BoT remains in place. Furthermore, the existence
of the HOA
arises from conditions imposed by the competent authority (under
statutory authority) when granting land use planning
approvals at the
time that the Estate was established.
[18]
The existence of the HOA is a statutory requirement, and cannot be
ignored.
102.
Finally,
the requirements for a finding of an advantage to creditors is set
out in
Meier
v
Meier,
[19]
citing
Meskin
v Friedman
:
[20]
“
Sections
10
and
12
of
the
[Act]
cast
upon a petitioning creditor the onus of showing, not merely that the
debtor has committed an act of insolvency or is insolvent,
but also
that there is 'reason to believe’ that sequestration will be to
the advantage of creditors. Under
s
10
,
which sets out the powers of the Court to which the petition for
sequestration is first presented, it is only necessary that
the Court
shall be of the opinion that prima facie there is such ‘reason
to believe’. Under
s
12
,
which deals with the position when the rule nisi comes up for
confirmation, the Court may make
a
final order of sequestration if it ‘is satisfied’ that
there is such reason to believe. The phrase ‘reason to
believe', used as it is in both these sections, indicates that it is
not necessary, either at the first or at the final hearing,
for the
creditor to induce in the mind of the Court a positive view that
sequestration will be to the financial advantage of creditors.
At the
final hearing, though the Court must be ‘satisfied’,
it is not to be satisfied that sequestration will
be to the advantage
of creditors, but only that there is reason to believe that it will
be so.
”
103.
Mr
Feng relies on
Gardee
[21]
and
Mamacos
[22]
to suggest that there is no advantage when a debtor’s only
creditor seeks the sequestration of the debtor’s estate,
and
when the debtor already has the benefit of a judgment.
104.
But in this case,
there is no evidence that the HOA is the only creditor. It would be
for Mr Feng to provide evidence that the HOA
is his only creditor. He
does not even make this averment.
105.
Furthermore, Mr Feng
has frustrated the HOA’s ability to make good on the costs
award that it was given. Mr Feng is the author
of his own misfortune.
RELIEF
AND COSTS
106.
I do not agree that
this is a matter in which it would be appropriate to leap-frog the
provisional sequestration of the Mr Feng’s
estate, and to
proceed to a final order.
ORDER
I accordingly make the
following order:
1.
The estate of the Respondent is placed in
provisional sequestration in the hands of the Master of this Court.
2.
A rule
nisi
is issued upon the Respondent and all interested persons to appear
and show cause, if any, on a date to be determined by the Registrar
of this Court, as to why:
2.1.
The estate of the Respondent should not be
finally sequestrated in the hands of the Master of this Court; and
2.2.
The costs of this application should not be
costs in the final sequestration of the Respondent’s estate.
3.
The service and publication of this
provisional sequestration order and rule
nisi
,
granted in terms of paragraphs 1 and 2 above, shall be effected as
follows:
3.1.
A copy shall be served on the Respondent by
the Sheriff of this Court, or his deputy;
3.2.
A copy shall be served on the Receiver of
Revenue by the Sheriff of this Court, or his deputy;
3.3.
A copy shall be served on the Respondent’s
employees (if any) and any registered trade union(s) that may
represent such employees,
by the Sheriff of this Court, or his
deputy.
D.P BORGSTRÖM
ACTING JUDGE OF THE
HIGH COURT
APPEARANCES:
For the
Applicant:
Adv CJ Heunis
Instructed by Heunis Law
Group
For the
Respondent:
Brett Aarninkhof (Attorney)
Date of
hearing:
5 August
2024
Date of
judgment:
29 October 2024
[1]
Before
the Estate was established, the development area comprised two
larger erven, known as erven 3[…] and 3[…],
Gordon’s
Bay.
At
the time that the Estate was created, various town planning
approvals were required – in accordance with the (then
applicable) Land Use Planning Ordinance 15 of 1985 (“LUPO”).
In particular, when the competent authority approved the
subdivision
of the development area into smaller land units (in terms of section
25(1) of LUPO), it imposed a condition (in terms
of section 42 of
LUPO) requiring the formation of a “
Home
Owner’s Association
”
(as envisaged in section 29 of LUPO). In accordance with section
29(2)(a) of LUPO, this HOA had to be established as a
“
body
corporate
”.
This is reflected in Article 1 of the HOA Constitution.
[2]
In terms of section 29(2)(b)(i) of LUPO, the “
object
”
of the HOA Constitution had to relate to “
the
control over and the maintenance of buildings, services and
amenities
”
in
the Estate.
Flowing from this requirement, Article 3 of the HOA Constitution
describes the HOA’s “
main
business
”
as the “
promotion,
advancement and protection
”
of the 9-hole golf course lying at the heart of the Estate, as well
as the interests of property owners in the Estate.
Clause 4 of the
HOA Constitution expands on the HOA’s “
main
object
”,
which care and control of defined “
private
areas
”,
and the golf course; as well as control over the “
design
and maintenance of buildings and other improvements
”
on all erven within the Estate.
[3]
Mr
Feng’s answering papers attached the original iteration of the
HOA’s Constitution, which was approved by the competent
authority in 2000 (as annexure “LF3”). The HOA’s
replying papers attach the latest iteration of the Constitution,
which reflects that it was approved as a Special General Meeting of
the HOA on 15 October 2013 (annexure “CJG12”).
The
amendments do not appear to be relevant to any issue in this
matter.
[4]
The
provisions of the HOA Constitution refer to a “
Trustee
Committee
”,
which is defined (in Article 1 of the HOA Constitution) as the
“
Board
of Trustees
”
of the HOA.
[5]
In
terms of section 29(2)(b)(ii) and 29(2)(c) of LUPO, the HOA’s
constitution had to require that all owners of properties
in the
Estate were members of the HOA – and were “
jointly
liable for expenditure incurred in connection with the
[HOA]”. This is reflected in Article 6.1 of the HOA
Constitution, which states that membership of the HOA is compulsory;
and Article 6.6 which states that members may not resign from the
HOA. Article 6.4 determines that when erven are sold, the HOA
must
consent and the Deed of Transfer must impose a condition requiring
the buyer to become a member of the HOA.
[6]
Under case numbers 21084/2021, and 21085/2021.
[7]
The
HOA suggests that the certificates were fraudulently obtained. Mr
Feng disputes this, and states that the members of the BoT
resigned
en
masse
in this period; and as a result he and other property owners were
col-opted as Trustees. At this time the BoT approved that the
managing agent could issue the certificates, which was done.
## [8]Oudekraal
Estates (Pty) Ltd v City of Cape Town and Others2004
(6) SA 222(SCA);MEC
for Health, Eastern Cape and Another v Kirland Investments (Pty) Ltd
2014 (3) SA 481 (CC) (25 March 2014) at para 100-102;
Merafong City
Local Municipality v AngloGold Ashanti Limited 2017 (2) SA 211 (CC)
at para 34-40; Department of Transport and
Others v Tasima (Pty)
Limited 2017 (2) SA 622 (CC)
[8]
Oudekraal
Estates (Pty) Ltd v City of Cape Town and Others
2004
(6) SA 222
(SCA);
MEC
for Health, Eastern Cape and Another v Kirland Investments (Pty) Ltd
2014 (3) SA 481 (CC) (25 March 2014) at para 100-102;
Merafong City
Local Municipality v AngloGold Ashanti Limited 2017 (2) SA 211 (CC)
at para 34-40; Department of Transport and
Others v Tasima (Pty)
Limited 2017 (2) SA 622 (CC)
[9]
See footnotes 1 and 2 above. The continued operation of the HOA
remains compulsory for the Estate, even though LIPO has been
repealed. See section 78(1) of the Western Cape Land Use Planning
Act3 of 2014.
[10]
ANC
Umvoti Council Caucus and others v Umvoti Municipality
2010 (3) SA 31
(KZP) at para 22-29.
[11]
Moosa
& Cassim NNO v Community Development Board
1990
(3) SA 175
(A)
180 H-J.
[12]
De
Villiers NO v Maureen Properties
1993 (4) SA 670
(T) at 676; and DP
Du Plessis Prokureurs v Van Aarde
1999 (4) SA 1333
(T) at 1335.
[13]
Rodrew
(Pty) Ltd v Rossouw
1973
(3) 137 (O) at 138B-C
[14]
Absa
Bank Limited v Collier
2015 (4) SA 364 (WCC)
## [15]ABSA
Bank Limited v Appelcryn(2019/38568) [2022] ZAGPJHC 429 (28 June 2022) at para 32
[15]
ABSA
Bank Limited v Appelcryn
(2019/38568) [2022] ZAGPJHC 429 (28 June 2022) at para 32
## [16]Absa
Bank v Collierat para 37, and cases cited therein.
[16]
Absa
Bank v Collier
at para 37, and cases cited therein.
[17]
Wightman
t/a J W Construction v Headfour (Pty) Ltd
[2008]
ZASCA 6
;
[2008] 2 All SA 512
(SCA);
2008 (3) SA 371
(SCA) at para 13
[18]
Dealt with in footnotes 1 to 3 above.
[19]
Meier
v Meier
(15781/2015)
[2021] ZAGPPHC 456 (6 July 2021) at para 40-42.
[20]
Meskin
& Co v Friedman
1948
(2) SA 555
(W)
at 558 – 559
[21]
Gardee
v Dhannabta Holdings and others
1978 (1) SA 1066
(N) at 1068-1070
[22]
Mamcos
v Davids
1976 SA 19
(C) at 20C
sino noindex
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