SAFLII Note: Certain personal/private details of parties or witnesses have been redacted from this
document in compliance with the law and SAFLII Policy
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA
GAUTENG DIVISION, JOHANNESBURG
Case Number: 25-092756
(1) REPORTABLE: NO
(2) OF INTEREST TO OTHER JUDGES: NO
(3) REVISED: YES
21 JUNE 2025
In the matter between:
In the reconsideration of the matter between:
SHANNON CHEZLIN TLADI First Applicant
HILLEL ANTONY SHELDON TLADI Second Applicant
and
KEAGAN RODWIN CORNELIUS First Respondent
LAKEWOOD FUNERAL PARLOUR Second Respondent
JUDGMENT (RECONSIDERATION APPLICATION)
[1] The main disputants in this matter are three brothers: the applicants and the
first respondent are all the natural children of the same mother, Ericka who
sadly passed away recently. The dispute centres around their respective
entitlements to make decisions regarding Ericka’s funeral service and burial.
[2] The order that I make arises in the context of an urgent application brought on
behalf of the eldest brother (the first respondent) on Thursday, 19 June 2025
for the reconsideration of two orders I granted in his absence the previous day .
These were a rule nisi issued at 13h45 and a consequent final order at 17h15,
in which I ordered that the applicants would have the sole authority and be
2
solely empowered to make such decisions and to undertake such activities as
they may consider fit, and at their own cost, with regard to the funeral
arrangements.
[3] Upon the reconsideration application being called for hearing, Ms Kara
informed me that the parties had reached consensus on almost all of the
disputes that have arisen between them, and that there is only one remaining
issue upon which I am required to rule.
1 That issue is whether the second
respondent should continue to perform the role of undertaker and funeral
parlour in relation to Ericka’s mortal remains, and for her funeral and burial.
[4] Upon questioning, both of the applicants indicated that they wanted the court to
rule on this question. Even though it would appear (in the absence of any
evidence of a will or other written statement setting out Ericka’s wishes
regarding her funeral)
that the three brothers are equal co-heirs of their mother
and, as such, it would make sense that each should have an equal say in
relation to her funeral arrangements ,2 I have reached the view upon
reconsideration that this is not a matter in which it would be appropriate to
require adherence to the principle of majority rule reflected in my second order
of 18 June 2025. Instead, I have chosen to adopt the practical and common-
sense approach commended by various judgments.3
[5] The applicants’ reasons as to why they are pursuing an order entitling them to
choose the funeral parlour (and to pay for its services) are not matters of
principle, but rather arise from the hurt feelings they say they experienced as a
result of the manner in which the second respondent’s staff have interacted
with them over the past days. While I am prepared to assume (without
deciding) that this grievance is justified, it does not seem to me that it is so
serious as to outweigh the fact that the grant of the order that they seek would
1 It is apparent that Ms Kara has played an admirably constructive role in assisting the parties
to reach the agreement that they have. Judging from the number of people present in court
when the matter was finally called sometime after 18h00 on a Friday evening it also appears
that a number of others also assisted. They all have the thanks of the Court.
2 Gonsalves v Gonsalves 1985 (3) SA 507 (T) at 513D.
3 c.f. Trollip v Du Plessis en 'n Ander 2002 (2) SA 242 (W); Mahala v Mkombombombini and
Another 2006 (5) SA 524 (SE) para 9.
3
result in an unnecessary duplication of costs in view of the first respondent’s
already incurred contractual liability to the second respondent. This is the
approach taken by the court in Trollip, which involved facts very similar to those
in the current matter.
[6] In reaching this conclusion, I am also bound to recall that when the first
applicant gave viva voce evidence at the first hearing on 18 June 2025, I asked
him how his mother would have viewed a potential duplication of costs that a
change in the identity of the funeral parlour might cause. He did not hesitate in
telling me that she would have been opposed to such waste.
4 I thus have no
doubt that this is the correct approach to follow in the circumstances.
[7] Before I hand down the order which I have prepared on the basis of the
information furnished to me by the parties, and which I have canvassed with
them, I hope I may be forgiven for making the following remarks, which I direct
to the three brothers:
a. Firstly, although I didn’t meet your mother, I have heard great deal about
her over the last three days. Clearly, she was a formidable woman. In
reaching the agreement that you have, you have not only honoured her
committed faith as a Christian, but also her express wish that you should
not fight with each other after she passed away.
b. Secondly, I want to read a passage that I very much admire from a
judgment of my sister, Du Plessis J in the case of Manzini v Dlalisa. It was
a similar case to this one. She said the following, quoting a famous writer
who converted to Christianity following a long discussion during a late -
night walk with two of his friends:
Often reading through urgent applications relating to burials, CS Lewis’
words, “I sat with my anger long enough until she told me her real
name was grief”, seem apt. The time after the passing of a loved one,
which should be a time of solidarity in grief, often gets transformed into
angry demands. Once legal practitioners get involved, these demands
angry demands. Once legal practitioners get involved, these demands
are converted into affidavits, packaged in the legal language of rights
and claims, to be adjudicated by a judge who only gets to see a short
4 He also informed me that his mother had predicted, with regret, that her sons “might have a
big fight with each other” after she died.
4
glimpse into the lives and relationships of the deceased's loved ones.
Considering these rights and claims while showing the necessary
sympathy for the ones remaining when deciding the issues that often
do not have a straightforward answer is not ideal. Especially not in
urgent court. However, that is what I was called upon to do.
5
c. You will have seen that I was moved by this matter. In my case, the
emotion was neither anger nor grief, but happiness and rejoicing that you
have come so far in your discussions. I wish your family peace and
continued healing.
[8] I hand down the order. The court is adjourned.
___________________________
RJ MOULTRIE
ACTING JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT
JOHANNESBURG
Hearing and judgment:
The initial orders were granted following hearings on 18 June 2025. This judgment
contains the corrected reasons for the order in the reconsideration application , which
was heard and decided in open court on the evening of Friday, 20 June 2025.
Representation:
For the Applicants: In person
For the First Respondent: Advocate Z Kara, instructed by Verton Moodley &
Associates, verton@vmalaw.co.za
5 Manzini v Dlalisa and Another [2024] ZAGPJHC 920 (6 September 2024) para 10.
IN THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA
GAUTENG DIVISION, JOHANNESBURG
CASE NO: 25-092756
Before the Honourable Mr Acting Justice MOULTRIE
Urgent Court, 20 June 2025, 18h45
In the reconsideration of the matter between:
SHANNON CHEZLIN TLADI First Applicant
HILLEL ANTONY SHELDON TLADI Second Applicant
and
KEAGAN RODWIN CORNELIUS First Respondent
LAKEWOOD FUNERAL PARLOUR Second Respondent
_____________________________________________________________________________
ORDER (RECONSIDERATION APPLICATION)
_______________________________________________________________________________
HAVING read the documents filed of record, heard counsel for the first respondent and
the applicants in person, and having considered the matter,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. The first respondent’s non- compliance with the Uniform Rules of Court relating to
form, service and time periods is condoned, and this application is enrolled on the
urgent roll in terms of Rule 6(12).
2. The orders granted by Moultrie AJ under the above case number at 13h45 and
17h15 on 18 June 2025 are reconsidered and set aside in terms of Rule 6(12)(c).
3. The second respondent shall continue to perform the role of undertaker and
funeral parlour in relation to the mortal remains and funeral of the late Ericka
Minnie Cornelius -Tladi (“ the deceased”), and the first respondent shall be
responsible for the second respondent’s charges in relation thereto.
BY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES, IT IS FURTHERMORE ORDERED THAT:
4. The funeral service of the deceased shall take place at City of Hope, Riverlea at
09h00 on 28 June 2025.
5. The deceased shall be buried in a white casket with gold handles and shall be
clothed in a purple funereal dress.
6. The casket containing the mortal remains of the deceased shall be taken into the
home of the deceased situated at […] C[…] Street, M[…] on the morning of 28
June 2025, and shall be allowed to remain there for at least one hour prior to the
funeral service, which service shall be in accordance with Christian rites.
7. The funeral service shall be jointly officiated over by the deceased’s brother,
Rothwell Cornelius; her sister, Benitta Gilliland; and a third Pastor or Minister of
the Christian faith who shall be selected by the applicants.
8. Each of the applicants and the first respondent shall be entitled to furnish the
second respondent with such decorations (including flowers and photos) as they
may wish, which decorations shall be accepted as part of the funeral and burial
services.
9. Each of the applicants and the first respondent shall be entitled to deliver a speech
as part of the funeral service, and the applicants (on the one hand) and the first
respondent (on the other hand) shall each be entitled to select a further person to
deliver speeches as part of the funeral service.
10. The deceased shall be buried at Newclare Cemetery, section 2- 74, in the grave of
her late mother.
11. The deceased’s tombstone shall record her name as Ericka Minnie Cornelius -
Tladi.
12. The applicants (on the one hand) and the first respondent (on the other hand)
shall make separate arrangements regarding such gatherings or further events as
they may choose.
13. Should any matter arise for decision in relation to the funeral and burial
arrangements of the deceased that is not specified above, the applicants and the
first respondent shall seek to decide such matter by consensus, failing which the
preference of any two of them shall prevail.
14. All parties shall pay their own costs in relation to all proceedings under the above
case number.
BY THE COURT
____________________________
REGISTRAR
For the Applicants: In Person
For the First Respondent: Advocate Z Kara, instructed by Verton Moodley & Associates,
verton@vmalaw.co.za