National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa v Gabriels (Pty) Ltd (C 523/01) [2003] ZALC 15 (23 January 2003)

30 Reportability

Brief Summary

Costs — Order for costs — Respondent seeking order for applicants to pay costs of suit jointly and severally — Applicants not opposing the prayer for relief — Court granting order for costs excluding costs of exception decided previously — Costs awarded in favor of the respondent.

IN THE LABOUR COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA
HELD AT CAPE TOWN
CASE NO: C 523/01
Date: 23 January 2003
In the matter between:
NATIONAL UNION OF METALWORKERS OF SOUTH  AFRICA Applicant
and
Gabriels (Pty) Ltd Respondent
JUDGMENT
NTSEBEZA, AJ:
[1] In this matter there is an application by the respondent in terms of the notice of  
motion dated 7 November 2002 in which the respondent is seeking an order that  
I should direct the applicants to pay its costs of suit jointly and severally the one  
paying, the other to be absolved, such costs to exclude the costs of the exception  
decided on 2 September 2002.
[2] There is obviously a history to this matter but in the view that I take, I do not  
consider   that   it   is   necessary   for   me   to   venture   into   the   history.   I   do   so   with

confidence   because   Mr   Vazi,   who   is   the   NUMSA   representative   and   who  
appeared for the union, has also indicated that the first applicant (respondent in  
these proceedings) is not opposing the respondent’s prayer for the relief sought  
in the notice of motion referred to hereinabove.
[3] In the circumstances and having heard counsel for respondent, I order as follows:
3.1 The applicants in the main case are ordered to pay the respondent’s costs  
of suit, jointly and severally, one paying the other to be absolved, such  
costs to exclude the costs of the exception decided on 2 September 2002.
________________________________________
D B NTSEBEZA
Acting Judge of the Labour Court of South Africa
Date of Hearing: ……………………………….
Date of Judgment: 23 JANUARY 2003
For the Applicant: NIKKITA VAZI
Instructed by:  NUMSA
SALT RIVER