Case Law[2024] ZAGPJHC 957South Africa
Nedbank Limited v Mavie (2023/022069) [2024] ZAGPJHC 957 (25 September 2024)
High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division, Johannesburg)
25 September 2024
Headnotes
and required security for the facilities comprising, inter alia, (vide clause 9 of FA5), the suretyships (referred to below) (incorporating cession of claims), in favour of itself by Mavie;
Judgment
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# South Africa: South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg
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## Nedbank Limited v Mavie (2023/022069) [2024] ZAGPJHC 957 (25 September 2024)
Nedbank Limited v Mavie (2023/022069) [2024] ZAGPJHC 957 (25 September 2024)
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sino date 25 September 2024
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IN
THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA
(GAUTENG
DIVISION, JOHANNESBURG)
CASE
NO: 2023/022069
(1)
REPORTABLE: NO
(2)
OF INTEREST TO OTHER JUDGES: NO
(3)
REVISED.
DATE:
25
September 2023
SIGNATURE:
In
the matter between:
NEDBANK
LIMITED
Applicant
and
NONHLANHLA
RUTH MAVIE
Respondent
(Identity
No: 6[…])
This
judgment was handed down electronically by circulation to the parties
and/or parties’ representatives by email and by
upload to
CaseLines. The date and time for hand down is deemed to be 10h00 on
25 September 2024
JUDGMENT
VAN
NIEUWENHUIZEN AJ
Introduction
[1]
This
matter came to me in the opposed motion court on 16 May 2024. The
applicant, which will, for the sake of convenience, hereinafter
be
referred to as Nedbank, launched an application for a money judgment
in the following terms against the respondent, who will,
for the sake
of convenience, be referred to as Mavie, for payment of the
following:
“
1.
The sum of R474 413.61.
2.
Interest on the sum of R474 413.61 at the applicable default
rate (which
rate is currently calculated as the repurchase rate of
7.25% plus 14% plus 21.25%) per annum calculated from 17 February
2023 to
date of final payment, both days inclusive, in terms of the
current account facility.
3.
The sum of R4 210 463.18.
4.
Interest on the sum of R4 210 463.18 at the rate of 0.6%
below the
prevailing prime lending rate as applicable from time to
time (currently 10.5%) thus 9.9% per annum calculated from 26 January
2023 to date of final payment, both days inclusive, in terms of the
Medium-Term Loan facility.
5.
The sum of R11 582 390.49.
6.
Interest on the sum of R11 582 390.49 at the rate of 0.75%
below the
prevailing prime lending rate as applicable from time to
time (currently 10.5%) thus 9.75% per annum calculated from 26
January
2023 to date of final payment both days inclusive in terms of
the loan agreement.
7.
Costs on the scale as between attorney and client.
”
[2]
Nedbank
relies on the founding affidavit deposed to by one Manusha Ramthol
(“Ramthol”), an adult female employed by
Nedbank as a
legal recovery manager. She states that she is duly authorised to
bring and prosecute the application and depose to
the affidavit on
Nedbank’s behalf. In addition, she alleges that the facts and
allegations are within her own personal knowledge,
save where
otherwise stated and, to the best of her belief, both true and
correct.
[3]
It
is evident from her affidavit that she has control over, and access
to, all the files pertaining to the conduct of Mavie in regard
to
Mavie’s indebtedness to Nedbank and in respect of all
agreements referred to in the founding affidavit. On this basis,
she
alleges personal knowledge of the allegations contained herein.
[4]
She
also annexed a resolution authorising her to act on behalf of
Nedbank, annexed to the founding affidavit as “FA1”.
[5]
She
states that, to the extent that she may rely on hearsay evidence,
such evidence may be admitted in the interests of justice,
as
envisaged in
section 3(3)
of the
Law of Evidence Amendment Act 45 of
1988
, and that same is more readily admissible in application
proceedings than in action proceedings and she actually invites Mavie
to provide some challenge to her personal knowledge should she wish
to challenge same. She states that:
5.1
the
nature of the evidence is such that the agreement/s, security
documents, records of default, communications to client and so
on are
stored at Nedbank’s business premises, enabling relevant
officials to peruse them;
5.2
the
evidence contained in the founding affidavit is aimed at facilitating
a recovery due to the wilful breach of the relevant agreements
by
Mavie.
[6]
It
is further alleged that the probative value of certain evidence
(should it constitute hearsay evidence) merely corroborates the
suite
of other evidence which she can “conform” (
sic)
and
depose to herself.
[7]
It
is also submitted that the evidence, should it constitute hearsay
evidence, cannot occasion any prejudice as there is no dispute
about
the material facts and agreement upon which the present application
is based. In this regard, she points out that it is not
in dispute
that Nedbank granted Keliana Management Company (Pty) Limited
(“Keliana”) a current account, home loan account
and a
medium term loan account, which facilities Keliana enjoyed.
[8]
In
conclusion to the passages on hearsay evidence, Ramthol submits that
the evidence ought to be admitted in the interests of justice
to the
extent that it constitutes hearsay evidence.
[9]
Mavie
did not file any answering affidavit on her own behalf, but was
represented by counsel, who submitted extensive legal argument
to the
court why Mavie is not liable to Nedbank, having filed a notice in
terms of Rule 6(5)(d)(iii) of the Uniform Rules of Court
raising
certain questions of law only which I will deal with after referring
briefly to the most pertinent undisputed facts and
Nedbank’s
submissions.
The
Undisputed Facts
[10]
The
legal arguments raised and dealt with below must be seen against the
backdrop of the following undisputed facts.
10.1
At all material
times hereto:
Keliana
was a company duly registered and incorporated as such in accordance
with the company laws of the Republic of $outh Africa.
November 2019
changed its name to Keliana Group (Pty) Limited. On 11 February 2022,
proceedings were instituted in the High Court
of South Africa for the
liquidation of Keliana, by First Rand Bank Limited (“FNB”);
10.2
On
or about 30 July 2018, Nedbank and Keliana, both duly represented,
concluded a written agreement in terms of which the Nedbank
extended
to Keliana the following Borrower Facilities:
“
3
FACILITIES
The
following are, collectively, the Borrower Facilities:
3.1
An overdraft facility of R1 .000,000.00 (One Million Rand).
3.2
A commercial property mortgage/NedBond loan facility of R4,920,508,00
(Four Million Nine Hundred and Twenty Thousand and Five
Hundred and
Eight Rand).
3.3
A vehicle and asset finance facility of R392,940.00 (Three Hundred
and Ninety Two Thousand Nine Hundred and Forty Rand), which
facility
includes existing vehicle-and-asset finance agreements currently
running down.
3.4
A residential home loan facility of R6,612:514,00 (Six Million Six
Hundred and Twelve Thousand Five Hundred and Fourteen Rand
)
3.5
A residential home loan facility of R4,550,000,00 (Four Million Five
Hundred and Fifty Thousand Rand), subject to the following
conditions;
3.5.1
term of loan a 120 (one hundred arid twenty) months, with a Maximum
loan value of 70% (Seventy percent) at current Prime less
0.75% (zero
point seven five) percent.
3.6
Overdraft facilities are subject to review and repayable on demand at
Nedbank’s discretion in accordance with normal banking
practice.
3.7
Subject to the non-occurrence of an Event of Default as defined
herein, the duration of any agreement resulting from this Facility
Letter will be stated as in the relevant agreement.”
10.3
The
written agreement is annexed marked “FA5” to the founding
affidavit;
10.4
The interest rate
would be linked to Nedbank’s publicly quoted prime lending rate
("the prime rate"). The maximum
penalty interest rate would
be equal to the ruling South African Reserve Bank repurchase rate
("the repo rate") plus
14%
(vide
clause 5 of the Facility Letter)
;
10.5
Nedbank
would be entitled
to charge a penalty interest rate in the event of the overdraft
facilities being exceeded
(vide
clause 5.1.2 of the Facility Letter)
:
10.6
Nedbank held and required
security for the facilities comprising,
inter
alia, (vide clause 9 of
FA5),
the suretyships (referred to below) (incorporating cession of
claims), in favour of itself by Mavie;
10.7
The security would be
required as continuing security for all Keliana's facilities of which
Keliana availed itself from time to
time and for the obligations of
Mavie, where applicable;
10.8
Nedbank would be entitled
to claim immediate repayment of all amounts owing under the
facilities if one or more of the grounds for
making demand set out
hereunder arose, and Keliana failed to remedy the matter within the
period stipulated by Nedbank at such
time;
10.9
The following were, in
terms of annexure “FA5”
inter
alia,
grounds for
making demand:
10.9.1
If Keliana defaulted on
any amount payable in terms of the facilities;
10.9.2
If Keliana committed a
breach of any of the terms and conditions set out in annexure FA5;
10.9.3
If Keliana committed a
breach of any of the terms and conditions set out in any agreement
entered into between Nedbank and Keliana;
10.9.4
If an application for the
winding up of Keliana was issued;
10.9.5
and/or if Keliana is
voluntarily or compulsory wound up;
10.10
The nature and the amount
of Keliana's obligation, and the applicable the interest rate, would
at any time be determined and proved
by a certificate signed by any
manager of Nedbank (whose capacity and authority need not be proved),
which certificate would on
the production thereof, be binding and be
prima facie
proof
of the contents thereof and of the fact that such amount is due and
payable. The Certificate would be valid as a liquid document,
in any
competent court or for any other purpose;
10.11
Nedbank
complied with its obligations in terms of the overdraft facility and
made the funds available to Keliana;
10.12
Keliana, from time
to time, drew down on the overdraft;
10.13
A copy of the bank
statement in respect of the overdraft facility for the period 24
February 2021 to 16 February 2023 is attached
to the founding
affidavit marked “FA6”
.
As appears therefrom
Keliana utilised the facility and has failed to service the facility;
10.14
Keliana has further
breached the written agreement annexure “FA5” in that an
application or the winding up of Keliana
has been issued and
accordingly a material adverse event has taken place entitling
Nedbank to call up the current account facility;
10.15
As a consequence
Keliana
is indebted to Nedbank for the full outstanding balance owing on the
overdraft facility in the sum of R474 413.61 as
at 16 February
2023 together with interest
thereon at the applicable default rate (which rate is currently
calculated as the re-purchase rate of 7.25% plus 14% thus 21.25%)
per
annum calculated from 17 February 2023 to date of final payment, both
days inclusive;
10.16
A certificate of balance
signed by the deponent being a recovery manager in the employ of
Nedbank setting out the above indebtedness
by Mavie to Nedbank is
annexed to the founding affidavit marked “FA7”;
10.17
On or
about 12 May 2017, Nedbank and Keliana concluded a loan agreement
(“the medium term loan agreement”), in terms
of which
Nedbank lent and advanced to Keliana the sum of R5 250 000;
10.18
This
agreement is attached to the founding papers marked “FA8”
and is actually styled “COMMERCIAL LOAN AGREEMENT
WITH
NEDREVOLVE OPTION”;
10.19
Nedbank
undertook to lend the sum of R5 250 000 to Keliana in terms
of the aforesaid agreement which were repayable in
the sum of 120
equal instalments of R69 157,09 commencing on the date advised
of the registration of a mortgage bond registered
by Keliana in
favour of Nedbank over two portions of the farm Middle Bosch 897 as
security for the indebtedness of Keliana;
10.20
All payments in terms of
Annexure “FA8” were to be made without set off or
deduction of any kind and free of exchange,
bank costs and other
charges;
10.21
Should Keliana breach any
term or condition contained in
a
nnexure
“FA8”, Nedbank would be entitled, without derogating from
any other right which it may have, to claim immediate
repayment of
the amount so loaned, together with interest and all other amounts
owing or claimable by it;
10.22
In addition to the
provisions set out in any facility letter (thus including annexure
“FA5” which follows later in time)
the following would
constitute a breach of annexure “FA8” i.e.
10.22.1
pending or threatened
litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings against
Keliana, or any of its assets which related
in any manner to the
agreement, or which would have a materially adverse effect on the
financial condition of Keliana;
10.22.2
or a material adverse
change in financial or other condition of Keliana since date of its
last audited financial statement;
10.23
The nature and the amount
of Keliana's indebtedness to Nedbank, in terms of the agreement, as
well as the interest rate payable
in respect thereof, will at any
time be determined and proved by a certificate signed by any manager
of Nedbank (whose capacity
and authority need not be proved), which
certificate would on the mere production thereof, be binding on
Keliana and be
prima
facie
proof of the
contents of such certificate and of the fact that such amount is due
and payable ln any legal proceedings against Keliana
and will be
valid as a liquid document against Keliana in any competent court;
10.24
On or about 30 June 2017,
a Covering Mortgage Bond was registered by Keliana in favour of
Nedbank over the Middle Bosch Property,
to secure the indebtedness of
Keliana to Nedbank arising from any cause of debt whatsoever;
10.25
A copy of the Mortgage
Bond is annexed to the Founding Affidavit marked “FA9”;
10.26
The following were
express, alternatively implied alternatively tacit terms of the said
Mortgage Bond:
10.26.1
the bond constituted
continuing covering security for all and any sum or sums of money
which would then or in the future be owing
to or claimable by Nedbank
from Keliana arising from any cause whatsoever;
10.26.2
Keliana agreed that the
capital or the balance due in respect of such bond would become due
and payable forthwith, and without Keliana
first being placed in
default in the event of a failure by it to timeously make payment or
perform any obligation in terms of such
bond or comply with any
demand made by Nedbank or in any manner breach any loan facility
granted by Nedbank or other obligation
owed to Nedbank;
10.26.3
Keliana agreed that the
nature and amount of its indebtedness to Nedbank as well as the
interest rate payable in respect thereof,
would at any time be
determined by written certificate purporting to have been signed by a
manager or accountant for the time being
of any branch or head office
of Nedbank whose capacity or authority would not be necessary to
prove, and which certificate would
upon production thereof be binding
on it, and
prima facie
proof of the contents
of such certificate and of the fact that such amount was due and
payable in any legal proceedings against
Keliana, and would be valid
as a liquid document against Keliana in any competent court;
10.26.4
Keliana undertook to pay
legal expenses and costs incurred by Nedbank in connection with the
said Mortgage Bond on the scale as
between attorney and client; and
selected the immovable property as its
domicilium
citandi et executandi
;
10.27
Pursuant to the
medium-term loan agreement, Annexure “FA8” Nedbank loaned
to Keliana the sum of R5 250 000.00;
10.28
A copy of the statement
from 1 May 2020 to 25 January 2023 relating to this account is
annexed to the Founding Affidavit marked
“FA10”;
10.29
Keliana failed and/or
refused and/or neglected to effect payment of the monthly instalments
to Nedbank since July 2021, and has
otherwise breached the agreement
as the institution of the liquidation proceedings (FA2.2) constitutes
a material adverse event
and Nedbank is accordingly entitled to claim
immediate repayment of the full .amount loaned, together with
interest thereon, which
currently amounts to the sum of R4 210
463.18, together with further interest thereon at the rate of 0.6%
below the prevailing
prime lending rate as applicable from time to
time (currently 10.5%) thus 9.9% per annum calculated from 26 January
2023 to date
of final payment, both days inclusive;
10.30
A Certificate of Balance
signed by Ramthol being a recovery manager in the employ of Nedbank
setting out the above indebtedness
of Mavie to Nedbank is annexed to
the founding affidavit marked “FA11”;
10.31
On or
about 4 October 2013, Nedbank and Keliana concluded a loan agreement
(“the loan”) in terms of which Nedbank lent
and advanced
to Keliana the sum of R7 350 000 and a copy of same is
annexed to the founding affidavit marked “FA12”
(dated in
the top right hand corner as 7/8/2013);
10.32
The express, alternatively
implied or tacit terms of annexure “FA12 “were
inter
alia,
the following:
10.32.1
Keliana would repay the
loan amount in 240 equal instalments, the first instalment being
payable on the 1st day of the month following
the month during which
registration of a Mortgage Bond over the property took place;
10.32.2
The capital amount loaned
to Keliana would accrue interest thereon at Nedbank’s prime
rate of interest from time to time per
annum less 0.75%, which rate
was variable and linked to Nedbank’s prime rate from time to
time;
10.32.3
The full amount of the
amount loaned would become due and payable should Keliana breach any
of the terms and conditions of the loan;
10.32.4
All outstanding amounts
would bear interest at the Nedbank’s prevailing prime lending
rate from time to time;
10.32.5
A certificate written and
signed by a manager of Nedbank (whose status need not be proved)
setting out the amount of Keliana's indebtedness
to Nedbank in terms
of the loan agreement, would be by the mere production thereof be
prima facie
proof
of the contents of the amount owing, including, but not limited, to
costs and interest due and owing;
10.32.6
The
registration of a Covering Mortgage Bond was by Keliana in favour of
Nedbank over Portion 2 of Erf 6[…] Hurlingham Township
as
security for the indebtedness of Keliana;
10.32.7
Should Keliana breach any
condition contained in the agreement of loan, or should Keliana
breach a condition of any other agreement
with Nedbank (which breach
would constitute a breach of the loan agreement), Nedbank would have
the right, to the extent permitted
by the National Credit Act, to
claim repayment of the loan or the balance thereof outstanding which
would thereupon become immediately
due and payable together with
interest and all other amounts owing or claimable by Nedbank in terms
of the loan agreement and to
have the property declared executable;
and
10.32.8
All amounts that Nedbank
may pay or incur pursuant to the loan agreement or due to Keliana's
default, including costs on the attorney
client scale, would be
payable by Keliana to Nedbank;
10.33
A copy of the statement
from 1 July 2021 to 25 January 2023 relating to this account is
attached to the founding affidavit marked
“FA13”;
10.34
On or about 22 November
2013, a Covering Mortgage Bond was registered by Keliana in favour of
Nedbank over the Hurlingham Property,
to secure the indebtedness of
Keliana to Nedbank arising from any cause of debt whatsoever. A copy
of the Mortgage Bond is annexed
to the founding affidavit marked
“FA14”;
10.35
The following were the
express alternatively implied, further alternatively tacit terms of
the Mortgage Bond:
10.35.1
the bond constituted
continuing covering security for all and any sum or sums of money
which would then or in the future be owing
to or claimable by Nedbank
from Keliana arising from any cause whatsoever:
10.35.2
Keliana agreed that the
capital or the balance due in respect of such bond would become due
and payable forthwith, and without Keliana
first being placed in
default in the event of a failure by it to timeously make payment or
perform any obligation in terms of such
bond or comply with any
demand made by Nedbank or in any manner breach any loan facility
granted by Nedbank or other obligation
owed to Nedbank;
10.35.3
Keliana agreed that the
nature and amount of his indebtedness to Nedbank, as well as the
interest rate payable in respect thereof,
would at any time be
determined by written certificate purportfng to have been signed by a
manager or accountant for the time being
of any branch or head office
of Nedbank whose capacity or authority would not be necessary to
prove, and which certificate would
upon production thereof be binding
on it, and
prima facie
proof of the contents
of such certificate and of the fact that such amount was due and
payable in any legal proceedings against
Keliana, and would be valid
as a liquid document against Keliana in any competent court;
10.35.4
Keliana undertook to pay
legal expenses and costs incurred by Nedbank in connection with the
said Mortgage Bond on the scale as
between attorney and client; and
10.35.5
Keliana selected the
immovable property as its
domicilium
citandi et executandi
.
10.36
Pursuant
to the loan agreement Nedbank advanced the sum of R7 350 000.00
to Keliana.
10.37
A copy of the statement
from 1 July 2021 to 25 January 2023 relating to this ·account
is attached to the founding affidavit
marked “FA15”;
10.38
In breach of its
obligations to Nedbank, Keliana failed to effect payment of the
monthly instalments due to Nedbank, since July
2021;
10.39
Keliana has otherwise
breached the agreement in that legal proceedings were instituted
against Keilana as appears from annexure
FA2.2, the service of which
indicates a material adverse change to the financial position of
Keliana and an indication that it
is financially distressed;
10.40
In the premises, the full
amount of the loan, together with interest thereon has become due
owing and payable by Keliana to Nedbank;
10.41
As at
30 January 2023, Keliana was indebted to Nedbank, pursuant to the
loan agreement, in the sum of R11 582 390.49,
together with
interest
at the
rate of 0.75% below the prevailing prime lending rate as applicable
from time to time (currently 10,5%) thus 9,75% per annum
calculated
from 26 January 2023 to date of final payment both days inclusive;
10.42
A Certificate of Balance
signed by a manager in the employ o~ Nedbank setting out the
indebtedness of Mavie to Nedbank in the (sum)
R11 582 390.49 together
with interest ·at the rate of 0. 75% below the prevailing
prime lending rate as applicable from
time to time (currently 10.5%)
thus 9.75% per annum calculated from 26 January 2023 to date of final
payment both days inclusive
is annexed to the founding affidavit
marked “FA16”.
10.43
Keliana
has failed to make payments in terms of the current account, medium
term loan and the loan agreement and it is clear that
Keliana can no
longer fulfil its payment obligations in terms of the aforesaid
agreements;
10.44
An
event of default has taken place in that an application for the
winding up of Keliana has been issued on or about 25 February
2022 when FNB instituted an application for the winding up of
Keliana, and, accordingly, a material adverse event has taken place,
which entitles Nedbank to immediate payment of all amounts
outstanding in terms of the overdraft facility, the medium term
agreement
and loan agreement, which amounts are due and payable by
Keliana;
10.45
Nedbank
has assessed a material deterioration of Keliana’s financial
position as a consequence of the liquidation application;
10.46
Annexures FA5, FA8, and
FA12, are not subject to the provisions of the National Credit Act,
No 34 of 2005 ("the Act"),
in that in accordance with
Section 4(1)(b) of the Act, the Act does not apply to large
agreements as described in Sectio 9(4) of
the Act, and where the
consumer is a juristic person;
10.47
Keliana is a juristic
person and Section 9(4) of the Act provides that a credit agreement
is a large agreement if it is a mortgage
agreement or any other
credit transaction and the principal debt under that transaction or
guarantee falls at or above the higher
of the thresholds established
in terms of Section 7(1)(b) of the Act;
10.48
The higher of the
threshold established in terms of Section 7(1)(b) of the Act (per
GN713 of 2006 published in Government Gazette
No 28893 dated 1 June
2006) is R250 000,00;
10.49
The principal debts, as
defined in the Act exceeds the aforesaid threshold of R250 000,00 and
Annexures FA5, FA8, and FA12, are
therefore large Agreements as
described in Section 9(4} of the Act;
10.50
On or
about 4 October 2013 and 13 May 2017, respectively, Mavie executed
suretyships in favour of Nedbank, in terms of which she
bound herself
jointly and severally as surety and co-principal debtor
in
solidum
for the obligations of Keliana to Nedbank (“the suretyships”).
[11]
Before
I deal with the questions of law raised by Mavie’s counsel it
is necessary to state that the underlying and recurrent
theme is that
even where a surety signs a suretyship in which he binds himself as a
co-principal
debtor and surety
in respect of the principal obligations of another the obligation of
the surety remains
accessory
to that of the principal debtor and our Courts have over many years
made it clear that in such a case the surety does not become
liable
as
a
principal debtor to the creditor.
For this reason the surety cannot be cited as if he is a co-principal
debtor and all that can ever be claimed of the surety is
the
performance of the obligations, he took upon himself to the extent
that same are
accessory
to that of the principal debtor. The aforesaid is trite and hardly
requires authority or any debate.
The
questions of law raised and assessment of the merits thereof.
[12]
The
first question of law raised by Mavie’s counsel is whether the
claim against Mavie is flawed and premature because the
indebtedness
of Keliana is unknown at this stage. In paragraph 1.4 of the Notice
in terms of Uniform Rule 6(5)(d)(iii) this question
is further
refined to a complaint that no judgement has been obtained against
Keliana and no claim has been proved against Keliana’s
insolvent estate.
[13]
In
paragraph 1.11 of the said notice it is submitted that the insolvency
of the Keliana does not make the surety immediately liable
as though
debt had become payable against Keliana.
[14]
Hence
it is submitted the claim against Mavie is premature and no cause of
action is disclosed.
[15]
In
Mavie’s heads of argument it was submitted that t
he
suretyships are ancillary contracts and only binds Mavie to perform
if and so far as the Keliana fails to do so.
[16]
It is
further submitted that t
he
claim for indemnity against the surety can only arise once there has
been a fixed and quantifiable loss which is currently unknown.
[17]
The above approach is
fundamentally flawed and ignores the fact that the question as to
whether the amount owed by Keliana is due
and payable will depend on
whether it is in breach of its obligations to Nedbank or not. In the
present case the factual allegations
in this regard are undisputed
given the fact that no answering affidavit has been filed asserting
the contrary and that the debts
are
ex
facie
the founding
papers due and payable based on Keliana’s breaches and failure
to perform. In addition the various debts due
are capable of being
established from Keliana’s bank statements annexed to the
founding affidavit and the various certificates
of balances due as
certified by Ramthol.
[18]
The fact that FNB has
launched liquidation proceedings are only relevant to the extent that
same also operates as a trigger event
entitling Nedbank to accelerate
payment in respect of the loans and the overdraft. Even if there were
no liquidation proceedings
Keliana’s default in making no
payments in terms of its obligations to Nedbank would have rendered
each and every debt due
and payable in full.
[19]
There is thus no basis to
assert that the claim is premature and cannot be quantified.
[20]
The next question to be
addressed is whether a judgment should first be obtained against
Keliana in separate or in these proceedings.
before the extent of its
obligations to Nedbank are quantified and enforceable against Mavie.
[21]
Clause 11 of the limited
suretyship annexed to the founding affidavit marked “FA3”
and the unlimited suretyship marked
“FA4” make it clear
that Mavie renounced the benefit of excussion. She signed same and
must be taken to be bound by
the
caveat
subscriptor
rule. The
effect of the renunciation of this benefit is clear from the said
clause. She must be taken to have known that she can
no longer insist
that Nedbank first claims what it can recover from Keliana before
commencing recovery against her. To that extent
her position differs
from a surety who in the absence of any renunciation could in the
common law insist that the principal debtor
first be excussed to the
fullest extent.
[22]
The
aforesaid submission also ignores that she bound herself jointly and
severally as surety and co-principal debtor. The effect
of this was
discussed in
Union
Government v van der Merwe
[1]
where Wessels JP (as he then
was) held that:
“
The
legal scope of the surety's contract is identical with that of the
principal debtor - accessorium sui principalis naturam
sequitur.
The surety undertakes the same obligation as the debtor and
undertakes to perform this same obligation so soon as the
debtor,
when called upon, fails to perform it. Troplong Caut 46.
It is true there are two contracts, the one between
the creditor and
the debtor and the other between the creditor and the surety. But the
contract between the creditor and the surety
is not an independent
contract with an obligation of its own but an accessory contract with
the very same obligation that exists
between the principal debtor and
the creditor. Although it is true that the suretyship contract may be
entered into by an agreement
different to that of the principal
contract, yet immediately the surety agrees to become such, whether
by a written or a verbal
agreement, then his contract with the
creditor is of the same nature as that of the principal debtor,
because it becomes accessory
to it, or is, as it were, absorbed by
it.
”
and
at p 322 said that:
“
"The
present case is, however, stronger for the surety has signed as
surety and co-principal debtor.
We
must give some meaning to the words 'co-principal debtor'. That the
addition of these words operate as a renunciation of
the
benefits of the surety is clear, but they have a still greater force.
The addition of these words shows that the surety intends
that his
obligation shall be co-equal in extent with that of the principal
debtor: or otherwise expressed, that his obligation
shall be of the
same scope and nature as that of the principal debtor.
”
(my underlining).
[23]
Counsel
for Nedbank relied on the above case in dealing with the first
question of law as well as
Kilroe-Daley
v Barclays National Bank Ltd
[2]
where Galgut AJA quoted the
aforesaid passages. In
Kilroe
he had to decide as to the effect of a confirmed liquidation and
distribution account and whether or not the bank’s claim
against the surety had prescribed due the principal dent becoming
prescribed.
Kilroe
is only authority for the proposition that if the principal debtor’s
claim would have prescribed by the time the claim against
the surety
is enforced the claim against the surety falls away given the fact
that the principal debt is extinguished by prescription.
[24]
It is not authority for
the proposition that the creditor has to sue the principal debtor
before it can sue the surety.
[25]
Respondent’s
counsel’s assertion that applicant’s counsel relied on
Kiltroe
for the
proposition that the creditor do not have to sue the principal debtor
whilst the exact opposite happened in
Kilroe
,
is simply incorrect.
[26]
Applicant’s counsel
clearly relied on
Kilroe
to demonstrate that the principles set out in
Union Government
is still good law.
[27]
In
addition applicant’s counsel relied on
Millman
and Another NNO v Masterbond Participation Bond Trust Managers (Pty)
Ltd (Under Curatorship) and Others
[3]
where the court per Friedman JP and Farlam J held that the obligation
of the surety and the co-principal debtor becomes enforceable
at the
same time as that of the principal debtor.
[28]
After a thorough analysis
of the Roman Law and the Roman Dutch authorities the learned judges
expressed themselves as follows:
“
In
our view, the legal position was correctly stated by Professor J G
Lotz in Joubert (ed) The Law of South Africa vol
26 para
161, where the following statement appears:
'Unless
the parties have agreed otherwise, a surety's debt normally becomes
enforceable as soon as the principal debtor is in default
subject,
however, to the surety's right to claim that the principal debtor
first be excussed. If a surety has bound himself also
as co-principal
debtor, his debt becomes enforceable at the same time as the
principal debt.
'”
[4]
[29]
The notion that the bank
by citing Mavie and not Keliana displaced the principal obligation is
wrong in law once the authorities
referred to above are taken into
account.
[30]
A further argument put
forward by Mavie’s counsel is that no findings can be made
vis-à-vis
Keliana in its absence. The fact that in calculating the liability of
the surety one has to regard to the liability of Keliana
is of no
consequence. It will always remain open for Keliana to argue that
such a finding is not binding on it.
[31]
Mavie’s
counsel’s reliance on the decision in
Neon
and Cold Cathode Illuminations (Pty) Ltd v Ephron
[5]
is also misplaced. Two discrete actions were at stake and the
ultimate question was whether the previous action interrupted
prescription.
In the previous action the appellant sued respondent in
his personal capacity for payment of the R627 in the Johannesburg
magistrate's
court. The summons was served on him on 1 April 1970.
The precise cause of action relied on therein is important, since
appellant
maintained that this action interrupted the running of
prescription. The particulars of the claim in the summons alleged
that
appellant
and respondent (not Benam, it should here be noted) had entered into
the lease,
and that, in terms thereof, respondent hired the neon sign on the
conditions mentioned in para. 1 above, that respondent was in
arrear
with the rentals in the sum of R627, that upon payment of that amount
appellant tendered the use of the sign for the remainder
of the
unexpired term of the lease, and that the Johannesburg magistrate's
court had jurisdiction, inter alia, because respondent
had consented
thereto. Respondent defended the action. On 11 December 1972, at the
end of the trial, appellant's claim was dismissed
on the ground (it
was common cause) that respondent had been
incorrectly
sued on the lease as the lessee and not as surety and co-principal
debtor in terms of his own undertaking.
In the present matter the Mavie is sued qua surety and not as if she
is the principal debtor.
[32]
It is also alleged that
the fact that the amounts owed by Keliana are due and payable is a
bald allegation that does not entitle
Nedbank to harass Mavie on the
basis that the fact that same is due and payable, does not tie the
Court’s hands. It is asserted
that the Court should make a
finding as to the amount that is due and payable by Keliana. I am of
the view that a finding can be
made as to the extent of Mavie’s
liability on the undisputed facts coupled with the certificate of
balances provided.
[33]
In the present matter
Nedbank relies on Annexure “FA7“ in respect of the
overdraft and the certificate relates to Mavie’s
liability as
surety for Keliana. It also relies on Annexure “FA11” for
Mavie’s liability as surety in respect
of the medium term loan
and Annexure "FA16” in respect of Mavie’s liability
for the loan. All the certificates
are clearly based on the
provisions of clause 6 in the suretyships.
[34]
Mavie’s counsel also
sought to rely on the decisions in
Shraga v Schalk
1994(3) SA 145 (N) and
Magic Eye Trading 77 CC v
Santam Limited
2019
JDR 2471 (SCA
). I
have read them and am of the view that they are distinguishable on
their facts.
[35]
The
notion that certificates of balance can only be utilised where
Keliana is a party to the proceedings and that there is no legal
precedent for the use of same is in my view ill-conceived. I have
studied the certificates in question and do not find them draconian
at all. All Mavie had to do is to engage with the facts and in
particular the content of the bank statements and establish a bona
fide dispute. Her failure to do so is incomprehensible. The assertion
that there is no legal precedent for the use of such documents
is
incorrect. On the contrary they are used on a frequent basis by banks
to prove outstanding balances
[6]
and have only attracted the opprobrium of the Courts where same
purport to establish conclusive proof of its content,
[7]
[36]
In
the matter of
Senekal
v Trust Bank of Africa Ltd
[8]
the bank only sued the surety. The principal debtor Luna Clocks Ltd
was not even cited. Nedbank has the right to ignore Keliana
and
recover what Keliana owes it, from Mavie.
[37]
There is simply no room to
argue that no cause of action is disclosed as Mavie seeks to do in
paragraph 1.12 of the notice and also
in the heads of argument.
[38]
Against the backdrop of
the above the first legal issue can be seen for what it truly is –
an unmeritorious defence displaying
a complete lack of bona fides.
[39]
In the said notice the
second question of law raised is formulated as follows: Whether Mavie
is a co-principal debtor with Keliana
in such a way that Nedbank is
entitled to sue Mavie independently of Keliana.
39.1
In para 10 Nedbank alleges
that Mavie is “
sued
in her capacity as co-principal debtor and surety
”
39.2
In Para 15 Nedbank alleges
that the respondent “
(b)ound
herself, jointly and severally as surety and co-principal debtors
(sic) in solidum with Keliana, (for) the repayment on
demand of all
amounts which Keliana might then or from time to time thereafter owe
to the applicant or for which Keliana might
be indebted to the
applicant
….”.
39.3
In para 52 Nedbank alleges
that “(b)y virtue of the deed of suretyship executed by the
respondent as aforesaid, the respondent
is indebted to the applicant
jointly and severally, with Keliana, the one paying the other to be
absolved, for the full amounts
outstanding in respect of annexures
“FA5”, “FA8”, “FA12” which
amounts are now due and payable
by the respondent”
39.4
The obligations of the
surety and co-principal debtor become enforceable at the same time as
that of the principal debtor.
39.5
However, the surety does
not undertake a separate independent liability as a principal debtor,
she remains a surety.
39.6
The significance of
undertaking liability as a co-principal debtor is that
vis-à-vis
the creditor the surety thereby tacitly renounces the ordinary
benefits available to a surety, such as those of excussion and
division, and she becomes jointly and severally liable with the
principal debtor.
39.7
Without the applicant
proving its claim in the insolvent estate of Keliana, it is premature
to speak of joint and several liability.
39.8
The respondent will have
an obligation to indemnify the creditor so soon as the principal’s
obligation has fallen due.
39.9
Moreover the use of the
words “co-principal debtors
in
solidum
” does
not make the applicant a co-principal debtor.
39.10
In the premises, the
respondent is not a co-debtor with Keliana. Suing the respondent
independently of Keliana shows that the applicant
has failed to
establish a cause of action against the respondent.
39.11
In the heads of argument
the aforesaid is addressed under the heading “The surety is
being sued independently of Keliana.”
39.12
The question then becomes
whether it is legally tenable to sue Mavie independently of Keliana,
where no money judgment has been
obtained from Keiana first or a
claim being proved in Keliana’s insolvent estate. The question
is then dressed up as follows:
“The issue here is the meaning
of co-principal debtor.”
39.13
The meaning of
“co-principal debtor” has been fully analysed under the
first issue of law raised above and to my mind
the second issue as
set out in the notice as read with the heads of argument adds nothing
new to the debate. It most certainly
does not mean that the surety in
the present case cannot be sued independently. It is also not a case
of the principal debtor gaining
an extension of time to pay merely
because it is in liquidation and as a consequence the surety should
also receive the benefit
of an extension. Nothing in the authorities
suggest that liquidation is tantamount to an extension of time.
Liquidation is a
specie
of excussion in itself in accordance with the relevant part of the
Companies Act 61 of 1973 as read with the relevant parts of
the
Insolvency Act 24 of 1936
. Far from equating an extension of time it
is aimed at the winding up of the company and ultimately terminates
it as a corporate
body.
39.14
By not suing Keliana it
cannot be inferred that the surety is now turned into a principal
debtor.
39.15
The reliance on
Maasdorp v GraaffReinette Board of Executors 3 Buch
A.C.482
is entirely misplaced and of no assistance.
39.16
The
whole of the second issue of law was effectively dealt by counsel for
the applicant by her reliance on
Absa
Bank Ltd v Lowting
[9]
w
here
the Court held that:
“
The
renunciation of the 'benefit' has the effect of permitting the
creditor to proceed directly against the surety, before excussing
the
principal debtor, should he so wish. It should be noted that in law a
surety who binds himself as co-principal debtor is taken
to have
tacitly renounced this benefit.
”
[40]
The second question
of law thus fails.
[41]
Ultimately,
and as a third question of law, it was submitted that the agreements
in respect of which the sureties operate are void.
[42]
In
paragraph 19.4 of the founding affidavit Nedbank alleges that:
“
The
conditions set out in clauses 7 and 8 of Annexure “FA5”
and clause 2 of the terms and conditions for overdraft facilities
were stipulated in favour of the applicant who could waive same.
Notwithstanding the aforegoing, if the applicant advance any funds
to
Keliana, before the conditions were fulfilled, such funding could not
be regarded as a waiver of by the applicant;s right in
obtaining
fulfilment of such conditions
”.
[43]
In
para 20 of the founding affidavit Nedbank alleges that:
“
As
all conditions set out in Annexure “FA5” were duly
fulfilled, the facilities set out therein came into full force
and
effect, and the applicant made the facilities available to Keliana,
and Keliana on utilising such facilities became indebted
to the
applicant in terms thereof
”
[44]
Although
the applicant alleges that all conditions were duly fulfilled,
Mavie’s counsel submits that no evidence is provided
to
substantiate this important allegation. He contended that the failure
to provide evidence that the suspensive conditions were
fulfilled
indicates that there is no cause of action against Mavie. I now turn
to the relevani clauses referring to the conditions.
[45]
The
heading of clause 7 is “CONDITIONS PRECEDENT (TO BE FULFILLED
PRIOR TO MAKING FACILITIES AVAILABLE)”
[46]
Clause
7.1 provides that:
“
The
Borrower facilities will not be made available to the Borrower unless
and until the terms and conditions set out in this clause,
in clause
9 below and clause 2 of the Standard Terms and Conditions have been
met to the satisfaction of Nedbank (which terms and
conditions will
be of immediate effect on signature by the Borrower of this Facility
Letter). The Conditions Precedent in this
clause, in clause 9 below
and in clause 2 of the Standard Terms and Conditions have been
stipulated for the benefit of Nedbank,
and Nedbank will therefore be
entitled to waive fulfilment of all or any part of such conditions.
Notwithstanding the aforesaid,
if Nedbank advances any funds to the
Borrower(s) before the conditions precedent have been met, such
funding must not be regarded
as a waiver of Nedbank’s right in
obtaining fulfilment of the conditions precedent. The relevant
conditions are:
7.1.1
Acceptable and updated valuation to be obtained over portion 2 of Erf
6[…] Hurlingham. Minimum market value required
is
R16 000 000.00
7.1.2
FNB account to be closed no later than 31 October 2018, failing which
the Nedbank overdraft, per clause 3.1, will be repriced
at Prime +8%
9.1.2
A security cession of all present and future debtors.
9.1.5
A security cession of Nedbank Group fire policy 00151996 002 required
in terms of the covering mortgage bond referred to in
clause 9.1.3….
9.1.6.1
Security cessions in favour of Nedbank of Momentum life Assurance
number 2[…] by Miss Nonhlanhla Ruth Mavie with
a minimum life
cover of R12 800 000 000. Proposed: Minimum life cover
to be increased to R 17 500 000.00
”
[47]
The
heading of clause 2 is “ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS PRECEDENT”.
Clause 2 provides that:
“
2.1
The Borrower must provide Nedbank with the security described in this
Facility Letter, which security
must be perfected to the satisfaction
of Nedbank.
2.2
If applicable, the Borrower must comply with
section 44
(financial
assistance to buy shares),
section 45
(loans or other financial
assistance to directors and/or related entities) and
section 112
(disposal of all /greater part of assets) of the Companies Act, 71 of
2008 (“the Act”), and section 40 (financial assistance
to
buy member’s interest) and section 52 (loans or other financial
assistance to other legal entities/member’s) of
the
Close
Corporations Act, 69 of 1984
.
2.3
The Borrower must confirm that any financial interests, as
contemplated in section 75 of
the Act have been disclosed or, if it
is established that interests were not disclosed, that a ratified
extract of the relevant
minutes will be obtained from all the
shareholders,
2.4
The Borrower must confirm that there has been compliance with the
conditions of the memorandum
of incorporation (“the MOI”)
of the Borrower.
2.5
If section 112 (disposal of all/greater parts of assets) of the Act
is applicable, the auditor(s)
of the selling company must provide a
certificate confirming:
2.5.1
that he/she/they is/are a duly registered auditor(s); and
2.5.2
that the financial statements have been drawn up in compliance with
generally accepted accounting practice or
international financial
reporting standards.
2.6
If the Borrower Facilities, or part thereof, will be utilised to
finance the purchase of
a going concern, compliance with
section 34
of the
Insolvency Act, 24 of 1936
, is required.
2.7
Where an RF Borrower is involved, Nedbank must be satisfied that
there are no conditions
prejudicial to Nedbank in the Borrower’s
MOI.”
[48]
It
was thus argued that since Nedbank has failed to prove that the
conditions precedent were complied with the principal obligations
are
void and of no force and effect.
[49]
Since
the principal obligations are invalid, it was submitted there is no
valid contract of suretyship.
[50]
It
is trite law that the fulfilment of a suspensive condition must be
alleged and proved by the party relying on the contract. For
this,
reliance was placed on
Resisto
Dairy (Pty) Limited v Auto Protection Insurance Company Limited
.
[10]
[51]
The
argument further proceeds that, in this case, there is neither a
waiver nor fulfilment of the conditions precedent.
[52]
An
agreement subject to suspensive conditions comes into effect
immediately after signature thereof. A suspensive condition suspends
the full operation of the obligation and renders it dependent on the
uncertain future event. I have no difficulty with the latter
proposition as a statement of law.
[53]
All
of the aforesaid, however, ignores that, irrespective of the
fulfilment of these conditions, the money was advanced to Keliana,
a
fact which is not placed in dispute by Mavie. The denial by Nedbank
in argument that the agreements were subject to suspensive
conditions
is alleged to be frivolous and vexatious because, in the founding
affidavit, Nedbank pleaded that all conditions were
fulfilled.
[54]
In
paragraph 20 of the founding affidavit, Nedbank alleged that, as all
conditions set out in annexure “FA5” were duly
fulfilled,
the facilities set out therein came into full force and effect and
Nedbank made the facilities available to Keliana
and Keliana, on
utilising such facilities, became indebted to Nedbank in terms
thereof.
[55]
It
should be noted that the facilities in this matter in chronological
sequence started with the loan agreement, then the medium
term loan
agreement and only then the Facility Letter accepted on 30 July 2018.
The aforesaid loans were already made available
before the facility
letter ”FA5”. There was no substantiation for the
fulfilment of the conditions precedent (merely
the allegation in
paragraph 20 of the founding affidavit stating that same was
fulfilled, with no date specified).
[56]
It
was argued that the allegation that the conditions were fulfilled is
in line with what is required by law from Nedbank, which
agreement
Mavie’s counsel contends are subject to suspensive conditions.
[57]
It
is then submitted that Nedbank would not have made the allegation in
paragraph 20 which is required by
Resisto
Dairy
,
if it did not appreciate that the agreement contained suspensive
conditions. The argument then continues that there is a fundamental
problem with the allegation in paragraph 20 of the founding
affidavit, in that
Resisto
Dairy
does not only require a party to allege fulfilment of the conditions,
but there must also be proof of that fulfilment. Because
no proof has
been provided by Nedbank, reliance was placed on the case of
Du Coudray
v Watkins
[11]
where
the court dealt with the failure of the respondent to allege
fulfilment of suspensive conditions in his particulars of claim.
It
was said by Swain J, in paragraph 13, that:
“
Even
if the respondent were to prove all of the facts alleged by the
respondent in the particulars of claim, the respondent would
still
not succeed for the simple reason that no evidence could be led to
prove the fulfilment of the suspensive conditions, and
that a binding
agreement of sale eventuated.
”
[58]
It
is then alleged that Nedbank, in this case, is on the opposite side
of the
Du Coudray v Watkins
case
but with the same fateful consequences, in that Nedbank has alleged
compliance with the suspensive conditions without any proof.
Nedbank’s position is in my view not analogous to the aforesaid
position.
[59]
It
was argued that it is a general rule in our law that Nedbank must
stand or fall by the founding affidavit and the facts alleged
in it.
The failure to prove compliance with the suspensive conditions
indicates that the application is ill-conceived and ill-advised.
Reliance is placed on
SA
Diamond Workers Union v Master Diamond Cutters Association of SA,
[12]
where
Millin J said the affidavit should “
contain
any evidence and set out all that would be necessary in a trial
”.
[60]
Based
on the further trite principle that the affidavits are both the
pleadings and the evidence which has to be led to establish
liability, it is then submitted that, because no proof of the
fulfilment of the suspensive conditions is put forward, there is
no
case to be met.
Conclusion
[61]
I
am not persuaded that all the conditions relied upon are simply
suspensive. The use of the term “condition precedent”
does not axiomatically make it a suspensive condition.
[13]
I will, however, assume in Mavie’s favour that the conditions
are suspensive.
[62]
It
is clear that prior to the date of Annexure “FA5” the
loan and medium term loan were implemented by all parties (presumably
in terms of earlier facility agreements which were fulfilled or in
terms of which Nedbank waived compliance) until the alleged
breach
occurred and hence there is room to infer as between paragraphs 19.4
and 20 of the founding affidavit that the fulfilment
of the
suspensive conditions would only pertain to the
new
overdraft facilities.
I will however assume that the failure of the assumed suspensive
conditions on the facts in this matter will permit all the agreements
entered into to fail (even if it does so retrospectively.)
[63]
The
question remains whether Mavie’s counsel’s argument in
respect of all the agreements is valid given that fulfilment
of the
suspensive conditions were pleaded (see paragraph 20 of the founding
affidavit) but allegedly not proved (or substantiated).
[64]
On
Mavie’s counsel’s own argument the founding affidavit
constitutes both the pleadings and evidence.
[65]
The
ultimate question is what weight and meaning I should attach to the
content of paragraph 20 which alleges that the conditions
were
fulfilled.
[66]
I
consider the following observation made by Cameron JA in
Boxer
Superstores Mthatha and Another v Mbenya
[14]
important:
“
[2]
The employer in response raised a point of law in terms of Uniform
Rule 6(5)(d)(iii)
, contending that the High Court –
'lacks
jurisdiction to entertain the application for the relief as sought in
the notice of motion in that the provisions [of] the
Labour
Relations Act 66 of 1995
dictate that the High Court does not retain
jurisdiction to adjudicate on a dispute of the nature alleged by the
applicant'.
[3]
In her founding affidavit the employee asserted that her dismissal
was substantively unfair (there being no grounds for it),
as well as
procedurally unfair (in that at the disciplinary hearing, where she
appeared with a shop steward representing her, she
was not asked to
plead guilty or not guilty, and was put on her defence, and
cross-examined, without any evidence being proffered
against her).
For these reasons, she claimed, her dismissal was 'unlawful'. She
added that 'my rights have been violated' by the
respondents,
submitting that 'everyone is equal before the law and has the right
to equal protection of the law', and noting
that 'everyone has
the right to have any dispute that can be resolved by the application
of law decided in a fair public hearing
before court', and that
she had been advised that the High Court has jurisdiction to hear the
matter.
[4]
The employer's objection to the application challenges its viability
in the forum the employee has chosen.
As
yet there is no answering affidavit, and we must at this stage take
the allegations in the founding affidavit to be established
facts,
determining
whether, if they are true, the High Court has jurisdiction
”
.
(my
emphasis)
[67]
Although Cameron JA was
dealing with jurisdiction the context was what the court should
accept in an applicant’s founding
affidavit when a party files
no answering affidavit and relies on Uniform
Rule 6(5)(d)(iii).
[68]
Based on the above I
should be able to accept that paragraph 20 of the answering affidavit
asserts as a matter of
pleading and evidence
that all the suspensive conditions were fulfilled. If Mavie
challenged this on oath Nedbank would no doubt in reply have dealt
with the fulfilment of every condition in detail and attached
documentary proof of such fulfilment (or waiver if any particular
condition was waived) to rebut any challenge.
[69]
Should I hold that there
is no proof of fulfilment of the conditions I will be ignoring the
full evidential meaning of paragraph
20 of the founding affidavit. As
it stands it also proves the fulfilment of the assumed suspensive
conditions.
[70]
The position before me in
this matter can be equated with the position where in a matter on
trial the briefest evidence of the fulfilment
of the conditions are
given and is not challenged by the defendant in cross-examination,
and upon the close of the plaintiff’s
case absolution of the
instance is sought.
[71]
In
the above analogy the plaintiff would have been able to rely on the
dictum in
President of
the Republic of South Africa and others v South
African Rugby Football Union and Others
[15]
where the following was said:
“
[61]
The institution of cross-examination not only constitutes a right, it
also imposes certain obligations. As a general rule it
is essential,
when it is intended to suggest that a witness is not speaking
the truth on a particular point, to direct
the witness's
attention to the fact by questions put in cross-examination showing
that the imputation is intended to be made and
to afford the witness
an opportunity, while still in the witness-box, of giving any
explanation open to the witness and of defending
his or her
character. If a point in dispute is left unchallenged in
cross-examination, the party calling the witness is entitled
to
assume that the unchallenged witness's testimony is accepted as
correct. This rule was enunciated by the House of Lords
in Browne v Dunn and
has been adopted and
consistently followed by our courts.
[62]
The rule in Browne v Dunn is not merely one of
professional practice but 'is essential to fair play and
fair dealing
with witnesses'. It is still current in England and has been
adopted and followed in substantially the same form
in the
Commonwealth jurisdictions.
[63]
The precise nature of the imputation should be made clear to the
witness so that it can be met and destroyed, particularly
where the
imputation relies upon inferences to be drawn from other evidence in
the proceedings. It should be made clear not only
that the
evidence is to be challenged but also how it is
to be challenged. This is so because the witness
must be given
an opportunity to deny the challenge, to call corroborative
evidence, to qualify the evidence given by the witness
or others and
to explain contradictions on which reliance is to be placed.
”
[72]
In the
premises I make the following orders:
1
The
respondent is ordered to effect payment to the applicant
the:
1.1
Sum of R474 413.61;
1.2
Interest on the sum of R474 413.61 at the applicable default rate
(which rate is currently
calculated as the re-purchase rate of 7.25%
plus 14% thus 21 .25%) per annum calculated from 17 February 2023 to
date of final
payment, both days inclusive. in terms of the current
account facility;
1.3
Sum of
R4 210 463.18;
1.4
Interest
on
the sum of R4 210 463.18 at the rate of 0.6% below the
prevailing prime lending rate, as applicable from time to time
(currently 10.5%), thus 9.9% per annum, calculated from 26 January
2023 to date of final payment, both days inclusive, in
terms of the
medium term loan facility;
1.5
Sum of R11 582 390.49;
1.6
Interest on the sum of R11 582 390.49 at the rate of 0.75%
below the prevailing
prime lending rate, as applicable from time to
time (currently 10.5%), thus 9.75% per annum, calculated from
29 January 2023
to date of final payment, both days inclusive in
terms of the loan agreement.
2
The respondent is to pay the applicant’s costs on the scale as
between
attorney and client.
S.
VAN NIEUWENHUIZEN AJ
ACTING
JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT
Date
of judgment: 25 September 2024
Representation
for applicant
Counsel:
Adv Lizelle Acker
Email:
lizelle@ackerlaw.co.za
Cell:
082 853 9883
Instructed
by: Kwa Attorneys
24A
Grant Avenue, Victoria, Johannesburg
Tel:
011 728 7728
Email:
kim@kw.co.za
Ref: Ms K
Warren/mnp/MAT17333
Representation
for respondent
Counsel:
Adv Pumzo Mbana
Sandton
Chambers
Cell:
076 819 3886
Email:
pumbana@gmail.com
Instructed
by: SA Maninjwa Attorneys
Cell:
076 898 3636
Email:
sivum1418@gmail.com
Ref: S
Maninjwa
[1]
1921
TPD 318
at 321
[2]
1984 (4) SA 609 (A)
[3]
1997 (1) SA 113 (C)
[4]
See
bottom of p122 and top of p123
[5]
1978 (1) SA 463 (A)
[6]
See
Senekal v Trust Bank of
Africa Ltd
1978 (3) SA 375 (A)
[7]
See
Sasfin (Pty)Ltd v Beukes
1989
(1) SA 1
(A) and specifically the judgment of Smalberger JA at the
bottom of p14 and top of p15
[8]
See
fn 6 above.
[9]
2013 JDR 1826 (GNP)
[10]
1963 (1) SA 632
(AD), at 644G-H
[11]
2010 JDR 0381 (KZP)
[12]
1948 (2) PH A83 (T), at 283
[13]
See Amlers, Precedent of Pleadings 9
th
Edition p111-p114
[14]
2007
(5) SA 450
p452
[15]
2000 (1) SA 1
(CC)
sino noindex
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