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This judgment is prepared and authored by the Judge whose name is reflected as
such and is handed down electronically by circulation to the parties / their legal
representatives by email and by uploading it to the electronic file of this matter on
CaseLines. The date for handing down is deemed to be 07 August 2024.
JUDGMENT
INTRODUCTION
[1] The excipient, the second defendant in the main action, Cart Blanche
Marketing Services (Pty) Ltd [ Cart Blanche] raises an exception to the plaintiff ’s,
Metal Technics (Pty) Ltd [ the plaintiff], amended particulars of claim [particulars].
The exception is raised on grounds that the particulars are vague and embarrassing,
rendering it unable t o plead thereto and/or that such particulars fail to sustain a
cause of action in delict as pleaded.
[2] For the sake of procedural clarity, Cart Blanche on 25 July 2023, served its
first rule 23(1) notice alleging that the unamended particulars were vague and
embarrassing. This triggered the plaintiff to effect an amendment on 4 September
2023. The amendment, however, did not satisfy Cart Blanche who then served a
further rule 23(1) notice alleging again, t hat the particulars were still vague and
embarrassing. No complaint on notice was raised that the particulars did not
disclose a cause of action as is now raised, by way of exception.
[3] To deal with the grounds raised, requires this Court to consider the applicable
general principles distilled from case law and to grasp of the plaintiff’s pleaded case,
particularly in delict which is not a model of perfection. According to the particulars,
the plaintiff claims damages for the loss of its goods caused whilst they were being
transported. The damages claim ed are framed in contract as against the first
defendant, Cargo Dawn (Pty) Ltd [Cargo Dawn], alternatively framed in delict as
against Cargo Dawn and Cart Blanche jointly and severally. Both claims arise from
the alleged same conduct, that of Mr Ranwedzi who, according to the particulars
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drove a freightliner truck [vehicle] negligently in adverse wind conditions . The
negligent conduct is based on Mr Ranwedzi’s failure to prevent the vehicle from
overturning in such prevailing weather conditions, such conduct allegedly causing
the damage to the plaintiff’s goods. The plaintiff alleges that at the material time, Mr
Ranwedzi was employed by or was a contractor appointed by Cart Blanche’s
unidentified agent [agent].
[4] Cargo Dawn has not raised an exception to the claims brought against it,
including where it is held jointly and severally liable with Cart Blanche in delict .
Furthermore, the facts in the particulars, in support of the delictual claims as against
both Cargo Dawn and Cart Blanche, are not dealt with separately by the plaintiff and
the allegations are intertwined.1 Both factors for consideration when dealing with the
relief sought by Cart Blanche who prays for the exception to be upheld and the
particulars to be set -aside. This in circumstances when both the claims again st
Cargo Dawn remain unchallenged. Both Counsel failed to deal with the effect of the
relief having regard to the issues raised herein.
[5] Be that as it may, Cart Blanche raises 6 (six) grounds of exception. The first
and fourth ground strikes at the heart of the complaint, namely that having regard to
the alleged facts, if assumed to be proved, such are not susceptible in law of
sustaining a claim in delict as pleaded. The remaining grounds deal with the
complaint that certain allegations are vague and cause embarrassment resulting in
prejudice. From the argument presented by the Counsel acting for Cart Blanche,
grounds 1 and 4 constituted the nub of the complaint.
GROUNDS
Grounds 1 and 4
[6] Ground 1 essentially deals with the complaint that as a result of a lack of
allegations the plaintiff has failed to establish the conclusion that Cart Blanche, as
a principal, is vicariously liable for the conduct of its sub -contractor in law .
1 Barclays National Bank Ltd v Thompson 1989 (1) SA 547 (A) at 553F.
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Expanded, in the absence of allegations that it was at fault (presumably negligence),
no cause of action is disclosed in delict [negligence complaint]. Whilst in ground 4,
Cart Blanche complains that no facts are pleaded to support the conclusion that it
owed the plaintiff a legal duty of care to prevent the goods from being damaged, nor
how it breached such duty of care [wrongfulness complaint].
[7] Both grounds of exception are raised on the basis that no cause of action has
been established as a result of the lack of facts pleaded to sustain the claim in law.
However, in ground 4, Cart Blanche also alleges, in the alternative, that the absence
of facts pleaded renders the particulars vague and embarrassing calling for clarity.
Negligence complaint
[8] Cart Blanche in g round 1, argued the point on the basis of a premise it set
out in paragraph 1 of its exception. Applying such premise, and in paragraph 2 in
ground 1, Cart Blanche concludes that there are insufficient facts to establish the
conclusion that it is liable to the plaintiff for the damages ostensibly sustained as a
result of the alleged conduct of its sub-contractor and/or the driver, Mr Ranwedzi.
[9] In argument and due to the lack of Cart Blanche taking issue with the pleaded
facts in the particulars which attempt to establish the nature of the relationship
between the Mr Ranwedzi, the alleged wrongdoer, and Cart Blanche ’s sub -
contractor at paragraph 11. 4 thereof. This Court accepts that for purposes of the
argument, the facts at 11.5 were accepted.
[10] In paragraph 11.5 of the particulars, the plaintiff alleges t hat when the
accident occurred, the goods were transported by Cart Blanche’s agent who was as
a sub-contractor. These facts are echoed in paragraph 1.2 of the exception.
[11] The premise relied on in paragraph 1 in the exception stated, inter alia:
“1.2 When the accident occurred, the goods were being transported by
an unidentified party appointed as a Sub-contractor of the Second
Defendant (“the subcontractor”).
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1.4 The Second Defendant is vicariously liable to the First Defendant
for the alleged negligent conduct of the subcontractor and the driver
of the vehicle used to transport the goods.
1.5 The First Defendant is vicariously liable to the plaintiff for the alleged
negligent conduct of the Second Defendant and/or the
subcontractor.”
[12] This too must now be considered against the pleaded facts in the particulars
at paragraph 11.3 in which the plaintiff alleges that:
“11.3 The Second Defendant appointed a subcontractor whose details
are unknown to the Plaintiff, (“the Second Defendant’s
subcontractor”), as its agent to transport the Plaintiff’s goods. The
Second Defendant’s subcontractor, acted as the agent to the
Second Defendant, alternatively, it acted within the furtherance of
the interests of the Second Defendant.(own emphasis)”
[13] As this Court understands the argument in ground 1 , it centres around the
plaintiff’s claim against Cart Blanche based on no more than the allegation of
vicarious liability perpetrated by its sub -contractor in law .2 A s ub-contractor as
argued, being one who takes on a portion of the contract from the principal
contractor and not as an employee. Cart Blanche correctly relies on the principle
that a principal is not vicariously liable in delict perpetrated by its sub-contractor nor
as a result of servants of such sub -contractor.3 Although the general principle of
immunity of liability exists there are exceptions. T he general principle is rather that
a principal is not liable for the wrongs of such sub-contractor or its employees except
2 Street Pole Ads Durban (Pty) Ltd and Another v eThekwini Municipality 2008 (5) 290
(SCA, [28].
3 Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society v MacDonald 1931 AD and at para 412 and 427.
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where the principal is at fault.4 The particulars do not allege any facts to support that
Cart Blanche’s conduct was negligent.
[14] According to the particulars the plaintiff relies solely on the negligent conduct
of Mr Ranwedzi. A concession relied on by the plaintiff’s Counsel too in argument.
The plaintiff’s Counsel argued that the plaintiff’s claim is based on the positive
negligent conduct of Cart Blanche’s employee and/or agent and/or contractor based
on vicarious liability and the negligent breach of a legal duty by, inter alia, Cart
Blanche. The plaintiff’s Counsel argues that it does not have to allege fault
(negligence) on behalf of Cart Blanche as the principal on a claim based on vicarious
liability for the delict of its sub -contractor. This stance by Cart Blanche’s Counsel
reinforces Cart Blanche’s failure to deal with the negligent conduct of Cart Blanche
itself. The facts call out for the application of the general principle. In the absence of
facts to support the exception to the general principle, the general principle applies
and the element of fault absent.
[15] The argument advanced by Cart Blanche’s Counsel was at variance with the
general pr inciple and was advanced without relying on authority in its heads of
argument in support thereof . The plaintiff’s complaint possesses merit. This would
explain why Cart Blanche deemed it necessary to expand its argument in paragraph
3 in the ground 1, to demonstrate the foreseeability test as explained by the
Supreme Court of Appeal to be applied in these circumstances.5
[16] However, t he complaint in ground 1 was raised a nd confined to Cart
Blanche’s agent, a sub-contractor. Paragraph 11.3 of the plaintiff’s particulars invites
the proposition of another relationship in the alternative, namely an agent acting in
the furtherance of Cart Blanche’s interests. This alternative was not specifically dealt
with in ground 1 and as such the proposition remains unchallenged. Cart Blanche
is confined to the manner in which the complaint is framed in the exception.
4 Stein v Rising Tide Productions CC [2002] 2 All SA 22 (C), 2002 (5) SA 199 (C) ; Langley
Fox Building Partnership (Pty) Ltd v De Valence [1991] 3 All SA 736 (A), 1991 (1) SA 1 (A);
Chartaprops 16 (Pty) Ltd and another v Silberman 2009 (1) SA 265 (SCA) para 28.
5 Supra, as discussed by Goldstone AJA, as he then was in Langley Fox Building Partnership
(Pty) Ltd v De Valence [1991] 3 All SA 736 (A) at 12H-J,
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[17] In consequence, the attack not as effective, it failing to deal with the heart of
the complaint as desired. However successful in part and to be upheld pro tanto.6
Wrongfulness complaint
Ground 4
[18] In paragraph 11.8 the plaintiff pleads:
“11.8 By virtue of the facts as set out supra the Defendants and/or its
employees and/or agents owed the Plaintiff a legal duty to prevent
the goods from being damaged whilst so conveyed or transported
by the Second Defendant’s subcontractor.”
[19] ‘The facts supra’ refer to the facts pleaded in paragraph 11.1 -11.7 of the
particulars which include that Cargo Dawn undertook to safely transport the
plaintiff’s goods and that Cart Blanche acted as Cargo Dawn’s agent , alternatively
acted in the furtherance of the interests of Cargo Dawn.
[20] Cart Blanche does not take issue with pleaded facts setting out the nature of
the relationship between itself and Cargo Dawn, nor with their respective employees
or their agents , all of which the plaintiff pleaded owed a legal duty to prevent the
goods from being damaged whilst being conveyed.
[21] Accepting the truth of the facts establishing the respective relationships
between the parties and all the facts relied on in support of establishing a legal duty,
this complaint can’t be sustained.7 Facts in support of the reasons why a legal duty
6 Swadif (Pty) Ltd v Dyk N.O 1978 (1) SA 928 (A).
7 BE obo JE v Member of the Executive Council for Social Development, Western Cape
[2021] ZACC 23; Knop v Johannesburg City Council (669/92) [1994] ZASCA 159; 1995 (2)
SA 1 (AD); [1995] 1 All SA 673 (A) (18 November 1994) at para 30-33.
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arose and such breach arising from the negligent conduct of Mr Ranwed zi, liability
so arising vicariously sufficiently pleaded to establish wrongfulness.
Grounds 2, 3 and 6
[22] In argument, the second, third and sixth grounds were argued together in that
these grounds attack the confusion created in the body of the particulars and the
prayers in respect of the alternate claims. This confusion Cart Blanche alleges ,
renders the particulars vague and embarrassing.
[23] Considering the particulars as a whole, including having regard to the distinct
and clear headings introducing the alternate claims and considering the formulation
of the prayers in the alternative, the alternate claims and the relief sought is clear
enough, and, in consequence not vague causing an inability to plead and these
grounds must fail.
Ground 5
[24] The thrust of the complaint in this ground is that the plaintiff uses the words
“collision” in certain paragraphs and then as an “accident” interchangeabl y. The
word accident describing the negligent conduct of Mr Ranwedzi on 12 July 2020 in
both the claims framed in delict and contract.
[25] However, Cart Blanche argues that at paragraphs 7 and 14 (although
paragraph 14 incorrectly referred to as paragraph 4 at paragraph 13.3 of the
exception) the plaintiff uses the term “collision”, and the particulars of such collision
are not disclosed.
[26] Paragraph 7 is clear that it deals with the manner in which the goods were
damaged aforementioned. Logically and reading the particulars as a whole the only
conduct aforementioned relied on which caused damage to the goods is the
accident clearly set out in the preceding paragraph 6.
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Appearances:
For the Excipient: Adv E.R. Venter
Cell: 083 227 4603
Email: venter@rivoniaadvocates.co.za
Instructed by attorneys: JHS Attorneys
Tel: 083 291 6561
Email: jonathan@jhslaw.co.za
For the Respondent Adv SG Maritz SC
Cell: 082 333 8521
Email: stefan@clubadvocates.co.za
Instructed by attorneys: Savage Jooste & Adams Inc.
Tel: (012) 452 8200
Email: kimh@savage.co.za
Date of hearing: 05 June 2024
Date of judgment: 07 August 2024