Financial and Fiscal Commission v Davids and Another (15022/2023) [2024] ZAWCHC 127 (8 May 2024)

61 Reportability
Constitutional Law

Brief Summary

Constitutional Law — Principle of legality — Appointment of public officials — The Chief Executive Officer's decision to appoint the first respondent as Research Specialist was declared inconsistent with the principle of legality and invalid; similarly, the Acting Chief Executive Officer's appointment of the second respondent was also declared invalid. Despite these declarations, the appointments were not set aside.

## IN THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA (WESTERN CAPE DIVISION, CAPE TOWN)

Case No. : 15022/2023

In the matter between:

FINANCIAL AND FISCAL COMMISSION

SHAFEEQA DAVIDS

CLAIRE HORTON

Coram

Salie; J

Date of Hearing

8 2024 May

Written Judgment delivered

2024 May

Applicant

First Respondent Second Respondent

Adv.

Adv

- Officer . Constitution.

principle interests

- record

In the result, | make the following order:

- In terms of section 172(1)(a) of the Constitution it is declared that the decision by the Chief Executive Officer on 30 2022 to appoint the first respondent to the post of Research Specialist in the applicant is inconsistent with the principle of legality in the Constitution and invalid; Acting May
- (ii) It terms of section 172(1) (a) of the Constitution it is declared that the decision by the Acting Chief Executive Officer on 25 January 2023 to appoint the second respondent to the of Research Specialist in the applicant is inconsistent with the principle of legality in the Constitution and invalid; post
- (iii) In terms of section 172(1) (b) of the Constitution; and despite the declarations of invalidity in orders (i) and (ii) above, the appointments of the first and second respondents into their posts are not set aside;
- (iv) The costs of this application; including the costs of one junior counsel on