Semantis Law Reports

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Padayachee and Others v Sunwest International (Proprietary) Limited (Appeal) (A260/2025) [2026] ZAWCHC 300 (10 June 2026)

Appeal — Exception to counterclaim — Appellants' counterclaim against Sunwest International dismissed — Appellants alleged tacit agreement with Sunwest regarding gambling credits but failed to identify the representative through whom Sunwest acted — Court held that counterclaim did not disclose a cause of action as it lacked necessary particulars — Legal principles regarding exceptions and the requirements for pleading a tacit agreement affirmed.

Civil Procedure
Score: 55

Rustenburg Platinum Mines Limited v Lesojane (UM126/2022) [2026] ZANWHC 156 (10 June 2026)

Interlocutory Application — Rule 30(1) — Application to set aside irregular proceeding — Applicant sought to set aside a Rule 53 application as irregular, alleging improper service and procedural issues — Respondent opposed, claiming lack of urgency and procedural unfairness — Court found that the service of the Rule 30 application by email was valid as the respondent had consented to electronic service, and the application was not premature — Application to set aside the Rule 53 application dismissed.

Civil Procedure
Score: 55

ABSA Home Loans Guarantee Company RF (Pty) Ltd v Gramoney and Another (2025/101602) [2026] ZAGPJHC 658 (10 June 2026)

Mortgage — Foreclosure — Judicial execution — Application for default judgment — Bank seeking order declaring property specially executable — Respondents in default for over a decade — Respondents raise procedural defences without challenging merits of indebtedness — Application granted as execution deemed proportionate and justified under Uniform Rule of Court 46A.

Civil Procedure
Score: 45

Grandeur Auto (Pty) Ltd v WesBank, Division of FirstRand Bank Limited (2025/159155) [2026] ZAGPJHC 652 (10 June 2026)

Ownership — Rei vindicatio and mandament van spolie — Applicant claimed ownership of a 2015 Bentley Continental GT, asserting unlawful deprivation of possession after the vehicle was seized by the sheriff under a National Prosecuting Authority order following the respondent's repossession efforts due to default on payments by the previous owner, Mr. Radebe — Court examined the principles of rei vindicatio, requiring proof of ownership and unlawful possession, and mandament van spolie, focusing on restoration of possession regardless of the legality of the previous possessor's claim — Respondent established lawful ownership and right to repossess, while applicant failed to prove ownership or lawful possession at the time of seizure.

Land and Property Law
Score: 45

Rivett v Blom and Another (2023/118280) [2026] ZAGPJHC 647 (10 June 2026)

Delict — Animal liability — Plaintiff injured while attempting to separate fighting dogs — Dispute over causation and negligence — Plaintiff's claim dismissed due to lack of evidence supporting her version of events — Court found defendants' testimony credible and corroborated, establishing that plaintiff fell due to her own actions rather than any contact with the defendants' dog.

Delict
Score: 45

R.J.P v V.P (111433/2025) [2026] ZAGPPHC 621 (10 June 2026)

Family Law — Custody and contact disputes — Application for appointment of psychologist to evaluate care and contact arrangements for minor child — Applicant sought expert evaluation to inform ongoing divorce proceedings — Respondent opposed application as premature and unnecessary, arguing it was a tactic to undermine her primary caregiving — Court emphasized the paramount importance of the child's best interests and noted the ongoing investigation by the Family Advocate — Application dismissed as the applicant failed to establish the necessity of an expert evaluation at this stage, reinforcing the respondent's position that the application was a fishing expedition rather than a genuine concern for the child's welfare.

Family Law
Score: 45

Ross Berries (Pty) Ltd and Others v Rossouw Snr and Others (2026/125578) [2026] ZAWCHC 318 (10 June 2026)

Urgency — Non-compliance with Rules 6(1) and 6(12) — Application struck from the roll as an abuse of process — Applicants failed to comply with procedural requirements and did not demonstrate urgency — Court imposing punitive costs against applicants for egregious conduct in litigation.

Civil Procedure
Score: 45

EBD Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd v Mercedes-Benz Financial Services SA (Pty) Ltd (220500/2025) [2026] ZAGPJHC 676 (10 June 2026)

Execution — Stay of execution — Application for stay of execution of default judgment pending rescission — Applicant seeking to suspend judgment based on alleged lack of urgency and failure to establish a prima facie right — Court finding that applicant did not demonstrate urgency or a bona fide defense to the claim — Application struck from the roll as the balance of convenience favored the respondent, and the applicant's claims of irreparable harm were unsubstantiated.

Civil Procedure
Score: 40

Monama v Firstrand Bank Limited t/a Wesbank (Application for Leave to Appeal) (145679/2024) [2026] ZAGPJHC 684 (10 June 2026)

Appeal — Application for leave to appeal — Applicant seeks leave to appeal against a judgment dismissing her rescission application — Grounds for appeal include alleged misdirection by the court and claims of unnotified default judgment — Court finds no reasonable prospect of success in the appeal as the arguments presented are repetitive and already considered — Application for leave to appeal dismissed with costs.

Civil Procedure
Score: 35

National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW) v Parliament of Republic of South Africa and Others (2026/112604) [2026] ZALCCT 91 (9 June 2026)

Labour Law — Organisational rights — Urgent application for interim relief — Revocation of union's access rights without notice — Applicant sought restoration of rights pending resolution of disputes — Court held that Parliament's unilateral withdrawal of access rights was unlawful and invalid, as it breached the Recognition Agreement requiring notice and proper procedure.

Labour Law
Score: 70

Bhonti v Minister of Police (142/2021) [2026] ZAECMHC 33 (9 June 2026)

Unlawful Arrest and Detention — Damages — Plaintiff claiming damages for unlawful arrest and detention by police — Plaintiff detained for three days without appearing in court — Court finding that the arrest was unlawful due to lack of reasonable suspicion and failure to inform the plaintiff of his rights — Damages awarded to the plaintiff for the unlawful arrest and detention.

Civil Procedure
Score: 67