Dorbyl Vehicle Trading Finance Co (Pty) Ltd v Matsaba (CIV/T 659 of 92) [1996] LSHC 99 (14 October 1996)

C I V / T / 6 5 9 / 92 IN T HE H I GH C O U RT OF L E S O T HO In t he m a t t er b e t w e en D O R B YL V E H I C LE T R A D I NG F I N A N CE C O. ( P T Y) L T D. P l a i n t i ff (Formerly Commercial Vehicle Finance (Pty) Ltd.) and M A I SA J O H A N N ES M A T S A BA D e f e n d a nt J U D G M E NT D e l i v e r ed by t he H o n o u r a b le M r. J u s t i ce M . M. R a m o d i b e d i, A c t i ng J u d g e, on t he 14th day of O c t o b e r, 1 9 9 6. T he l i t i g a t i on b e t w e en t he p a r t i es h e r e in c o m m e n c ed by way of a summons filed with the court on 11th December, 1992. On 3 1 st M a y, 1 9 94 t he p a r t i c u l a rs of c l a im in t he m a t t er w e re d u ly a m e n d ed and t he p l a i n t i ff p r a y ed f or j u d g m e nt a g a i n st D e f e n d a nt f o r: " a. p a y m e nt of t he sum o f: ( i) R 3 69 8 0 6 . 63 ( i i) R 2 23 7 5 7 . 62 ( i i i) R 3 52 9 0 0 . 45 b e i ng d a m a g es and b e i ng t he d i f f e r e n ce b e t w e en t he v a l ue of t he g o o ds u p on r e p o s s e s s i on and t he b a l a n ce o u t s t a n d i ng on all a m o u n ts d ue to t he p l a i n t i ff by t he d e f e n d a n t. 2 / . .. - 2 - b. Interest on t he a f o r e s a id a m o u nt and c a l c u l a t ed at t he r a te of 2 9% per a n n um a t e m p o re m o r a e. c. C o s ts of suit on the a t t o r n ey c l i e nt s c a l e ." The m a t t e rs w h i ch are c o m m on c a u se in t e r ms of t he p l e a d- ings in t h is c a se a re as f o l l o w s: (a) T h at on or a b o ut t he 15th April 1992 t he p a r t i es h e r e in e n t e r ed into a w r i t t en i n s t a l m e nt s a le A g r e e m e nt C o n t r a ct N u m b er 0 1 5, A n n e x t u re "A" in t e r ms of w h i ch t he D e f e n d a nt p u r c h a s ed f r om t he p l a i n t i ff a c e r t a in L e y l a nd 1 7 / 2 80 bus f or t he t o t al sum of R781 0 1 5 . 68 l e a d i ng to c l a im (a) in t he s u m m o n s. ( b) T h at on or a b o ut t he 2 2nd A p r il 1992 t he p a r t i es h e r e in e n t e r ed into a n o t h er w r i t t en i n s t a l m e nt s a le a g r e e m e nt C o n- t r a ct n u m b er 016 A n n e x t u re " B" in t e r ms of w h i ch t he D e f e n d a nt p u r c h a s ed f r om t he p l a i n t i ff a c e r t a in L e y l a nd 1 7 / 2 80 b us f or t he t o t al sum of R 5 30 3 4 5 . 88 l e a d i ng to c l a im (b) in t he s u m m o n s. (c) T h at on or a b o ut t he 15th April 1992 t he p a r t i es h e r e in e n t e r ed into yet a n o t h er w r i t t en i n s t a l m e nt s a le a g r e e m e n t, C o n t r a ct n u m b er 0 1 7, A n n e x t u re " C" in t e r ms of w h i ch t he D e f e n d a nt p u r c h a s ed f r om t he p l a i n t i ff a c e r t a in L e y l a nd 1 7 / 2 80 bus f or t he t o t al sum of R778 203.00 l e a d i ng to c l a im ( c) in t he s u m m o n s. 3 / . .. - 3 - ( d) T h at t he s a id b u s es w e re d u ly d e l i v e r ed to t he D e f e n d a n t. ( e) T h at it w as an e x p r e ss t e rm and c o n d i t i on of t he s a id s a le a g r e e m e n ts t h a t :- ( i) D e f e n d a nt w o u ld p ay to t he p l a i n t i ff in r e s p e ct of t he a g r e e m e n ts t he a m o u n ts as s p e c i f i ed and in t he m a n n er s et f o r th in t he a f o r e s a id A n n e x t u r es " A ", " B" and " C "; ( i i) t h at o w n e r s h ip of t he g o o ds w o u ld n ot p a ss to t he D e f e n d a nt u n t il all a m o u n ts o w i ng u n d er t he S a le A g r e e- m e n ts h ad b e en p a id in f u l l. ( i i i) T h at in t he e v e nt of t he D e f e n d a nt f a i l i ng to m a ke a ny p a y m e nt in t e r ms of t he S a le A g r e e m e n ts a f t er it b e c a me p a y a b l e, or f a i l i ng to c o m p ly w i th a ny o t h er p r o v i s i on of t he S a le A g r e e m e n ts or a ny l e g al p r o v i- s i o ns a p p l i c a b le in r e s p e ct of t he s a id t r a n s a c t i o n s, t he p l a i n t i ff w o u ld be e n t i t l ed to i m m e d i a t e ly t e r m i n a te t he S a le A g r e e m e n ts in w h i ch e v e nt t he p l a i n t i ff w o u ld f u r t h er be e n t i t l ed to t he r e t u rn a nd p o s s e s s i on of t he b u s es a nd t he p l a i n t i ff w o u ld be e n t i t l ed to r e c o v er as l i q u i d a t ed d a m a g es t he d i f f e r e n ce b e t w e en t he b a l a n ce o u t s t a n d- ing a nd t he v a l ue of t he b u s e s. ( i v) T h at s h o u ld t he p l a i n t i ff a n d / or i ts a s s i g ns i n c ur c o s ts as a r e s u lt of t he D e f e n d a n t 's n o n - f u l f i l m e nt of a ny p r o- v i s i on of t he S a le A g r e e m e n t s, t he D e f e n d a nt w o u ld be l i a b le to c o m p e n s a te 4 / . .. - 4 - s u ch p e r s on f or a ny t r a c i ng c o s t s, a nd all l e g al c o s ts as b e t w e en a t t o r n ey a nd c l i e nt i n c l u d i ng c o l l e c t i on c o m m i s- s i o n, c o s ts of v a l u a t i o n, d i s m a n t l i ng d i s p o s a l, t r a n s p o rt a nd s t o r a ge of t he b u s es a nd c o s ts of l o c a t i ng t he g o o d s. ( v) T h at t he D e f e n d a nt w as l i a b le f or a d d i t i o n al f i n a n ce c h a r g es on all a r r e ar i n s t a l m e n ts c a l c u l a t ed at t he m a x i m um p e r m i s s i b le r a te as laid d o wn in t e r ms of t he u s u ry a ct of t he R e p u b l ic of S o u th A f r i ca f r om d ue d a te to t he d a te of p a y m e nt of t he a r r e a r s. ( v i) T h at if t he D e f e n d a nt f a i l ed to c o m p ly w i th a ny of t he p r o v i s i o ns of t he a g r e e- m e n ts t he p l a i n t i ff w o u ld h a ve t he r i g h t, b ut n ot t he o b l i g a t i o n, to e f f e ct s u ch c o m p l i a n ce on b e h a lf of t he D e f e n d a nt a nd t h at all c o s ts a nd e x p e n s es i n c u r r ed by t he p l a i n t i ff in e f f e c t i ng s u ch c o m p l i a n ce or o t h e r w i se in p r o t e c t i ng its t i t le to t he g o o ds w o u ld be p a id by t he D e f e n d a nt to t he p l a i n t i ff on d e m a n d. ( v i i) T h at t he D e f e n d a nt n o t i f i ed t he p l a i n t i ff in w r i t i ng of h is i n t e n t i on to t e r m i n a te w i th i m m e d i a te e f f e ct e a ch of t he t h r ee s a le a g r e e m e n ts on t he 3 0 th J u ly 1 9 9 2 ." T he D e f e n d a nt a d ds t h at t he s a id a g r e e m e n ts w e re c a n c e l l ed by m u t u al a g r e e m e nt b e t w e en t he p a r t i e s. I n d e ed it is c o m m on c a u se t h at on t he s a me d a te of 3 0 th J u ly 1 9 92 t he P l a i n t i ff d u ly a c c e p t ed D e f e n d a n t 's r e p u d i a t i on of t he a f o r e s a id a g r e e m e n ts w h i ch w e re d u ly c a n c e l l ed as a f o r e s a i d. - 5 - T he D e f e n d a nt a d m i ts t h at a f t er c a n c e l l a t i on of t he a g r e e m e n ts he d u ly d e l i v e r ed t he v e h i c l es to t he P l a i n t i ff w ho t o ok p o s s e s s i on t h e r e o f. A l t h o u gh t h is is d e n i ed by D e f e n d a n t, it is P l a i n t i f f 's c a se t h at in t e r ms of c l a u se 16 of t he A g r e e m e nt b e t w e en t he p a r t i es a c e r t i f i c a te s i g n ed by a D i r e c t or or M a n a g er of t he P l a i n t i f f, w h o se a p p o i n t m e nt w o u ld n ot be n e c e s s a ry to p r o v e, as to t he i n d e b t e d n e ss of t he D e f e n d a nt in t e r ms of t he A g r e e m e n ts w o u ld be p r i ma f a c ie e v i d e n ce of t he D e f e n d a n t 's i n d e b t e d n e ss to t he P l a i n t i ff f or t he p u r p o se of p r o v i s i o n al s e n t e n ce or s u m m a ry j u d g m e nt or f or a ny o t h er p u r p o s e. I u n d e r s t a nd t he l a t t er p a rt to i n c l u de t he d e t e r m i n a t i on of t he d i s p u te b e f o re m e. S e c t i on 16 of e a ch of t he s a id t h r ee s a le a g r e e m e n ts p r o v i d es as f o l l o w s :- C e r t i f i c a te of I n d e b t e d n e ss "A c e r t i f i c a te u n d er t he h a nd of a ny d i r e c t or or m a n a g er f or t he t i me b e i ng of t he S e l l er in r e s- p e ct of a ny i n d e b t e d n e ss of t he B u y er h e r e u n d er or in r e s p e ct of a ny o t h er f a ct s h a ll be p r i ma f a c ie e v i d e n ce of t he B u y e r 's i n d e b t e d n e ss to t he S e l l er a n d / or of s u ch o t h er f a c t. It shall n ot be n e c e s s a ry to p r o ve t he a p p o i n t m e nt of t he p e r s on s i g n i ng a ny s u ch c e r t i f i c a t e ." I am p r e p a r ed to a c c e pt t h at t h is c l a u se 16 f a i r ly r e p r e s e n ts t he p a r t i e s' a g r e e m e nt a nd is as s u ch b i n d i ng u p on t h e m. It is s i g n i f i c a nt t h at in h is e v i d e n ce b e f o re me t he D e f e n d a nt d id n ot c h a l l e n ge t h is c l a u s e. I f i nd t h e r e f o re t h at t he D e f e n d a n t 's d e n i al of t he t e r ms of t h is c l a u se in p a r a g r a ph 5 of h is p l ea w as f a l se a nd d e s i g n ed to 6 / . .. - 6 - m i s l e ad t he c o u r t. T he D e f e n d a nt s e ts o ut h is d e f e n ce in p a r a g r a ph 4 of h is p l ea in t he f o l l o w i ng t e r m s :- " D e f e n d a nt a v e rs t h at at t he t i me of c a n c e l l a t i on of t he a g r e e m e n ts a f o r e s a id t h e re w as a f u r t h er v e r b al a g r e e m e nt b e t w e en t he P l a i n t i ff a nd h i m- s e lf to t he e f f e ct t h at t he v a l ue of t he m o t or v e h i c l es a ll of w h i ch w e re in v e ry g o od c o n d i- t i on w o u ld be u s ed to d e f r ay t he e n t i re d e bt o u t s t a n d i n g. T h is t he D e f e n d a nt a v e rs w as d o ne a nd as s u ch t h e re is no m o n ey o w i ng by D e f e n d a nt to P l a i n t i ff as a l l e g ed or at a l l ." He c o n c l u d es in p a r a g r a ph 5 of h is p l ea by m a k i ng t he a v e r m e nt t h at " t h e re is no b a l a n ce o u t s t a n d i ng a n d / or d ue to P l a i n t i ff as a l l e g ed or at a l l ." T he P l a i n t i ff c a l l ed t wo witnesses in s u p p o rt of i ts c l a im n a m e ly P W1 R e y m o nd M a r c el K e mp a nd P W2 N e v il D a v id S m i th a f t er w h i ch it c l o s ed i ts c a s e. T he D e f e n d a n t 's i m m e d i a te r e s p o n se w as an a p p l i c a t i on f or a b s o l u t i on f r om t he i n s t a n ce w h i c h, h o w e v e r, I d i s m i s s ed w i th c o s ts in my r u l i ng of 3 0 th A u g u st 1 9 96 on t he g r o u nd t h at t h e re w as a p r i ma f a c ie c a se in t h at t h e re w as e v i d e n ce u p on w h i ch a r e a s o n a b le c o u rt p r o p e r ly a d v i s ed t h e r e to m i g ht f i nd f or t he P l a i n t i f f. In h is e v i d e n ce P W1 R e y m o nd M a r c el K e mp t o ld t he c o u rt t h at he is e m p l o y ed by P l a i n t i ff as G e n e r al M a n a g er h a v i ng 7 / . .. - 7 - j o i n ed t he P l a i n t i ff c o m p a ny in F e b r u a ry 1 9 9 4. He is a l so a d i r e c t or of t he c o m p a n y. As D i r e c t or a nd G e n e r al Manager he is in c o n t r ol of d o c u m e n ts r e l a t i ng to t he m a t t er b e f o re c o u r t. It is h is e v i d e n ce t h at t he a c c o u n t i ng a nd f i n a n c i ng f u n c t i o ns f a ll d i r e c t ly u n d er h im as w e ll as l e g al m a t t e rs a f f e c t i ng p l a i n t i ff c o m p a n y. He is t he c u s t o d i an of t he r e c o r ds of t he c o m p a n y. He d u ly h a n d ed in w i th t he e x p r e ss c o n s e nt of M r. M a t o o a ne f or t he D e f e n d a nt a certificate EX " A" of w h i ch P W1 h i m s e lf is t he a u t h o r. It is h is u n c h a l l e n g ed e v i d e n ce t h at he e x e c u t ed t he s a id c e r t i f i c a te in t e r ms of t he a f o r e s a id c l a u se 16 of t he a g r e e m e n ts b e t w e en t he p a r t i e s. As I o b s e r v ed in my r u l i ng of 3 0 th A u g u st 1 9 96 in t he m a t t e r, t he s a id c e r t i f i c a te EX " A" is in a f o rm of an a f f i d a v it in w h i ch P W1 s t a t es i n t er a l i a, t h at t he D e f e n d a nt is p r e s e n t ly i n d e b t ed to t he P l a i n t i ff in t he a m o u n ts c l a i m ed in t he s u m m o n s. It is s i g n i f i c a nt t h at in e a ch of t he t h r ee s a le A g r e e m e n ts c o n c e r n ed n a m e ly A n n e x t u r es " A" " B" a nd " C" P W1 d e a ls in h is a f f i d a v it w i th f i g u r es r e l a t i ng to t he b a l a n ce as p er e a ch a g r e e m e n t, f i n a n ce c h a r g e s, l e ss i n s u r a n ce r e f u n d, l e ss v a l u a- t i o n, a g e n ts c o s ts v a l u a t i on f e es p l us i n t e r e st at t he r a te of 2 9% w h i ch he s a ys w as p er a g r e e m e nt of t he p a r t i e s. I a t t a ch d ue w e i g ht to t he f a ct t h at he is u n c h a l l e n g ed a l t o g e t h er in t h is v e r s i on a nd t h at s u ch e v i d e n ce of 2 9% i n t e r e st w as l ed w i t h o ut o b j e c t i on in t h is m a t t e r. s ee J o n es a nd B u c k l e: T he C i v il P r a c t i ce of t he M a g i s t r a t e s' C o u r ts in S o u th A f r i ca - E i g h th E d i t i on p 2 0. It w as f u r t h er P W 1 's e v i d e n ce t h at t he P l a i n t i ff c o m p a ny s u b s e q u e n t ly b e c a me a w a re of a t e l e f ax d a t ed 6 th M ay 1 9 92 a d d r e s s ed by o ne M r s. S u s an B u c h l i ng to t he D e f e n d a n t. He d u ly h a n d ed in t h is t e l e f ax as EX " B" in t h is c a s e. It is t he l a st s e n t e n ce in t h at EX " B" on w h i ch t he D e f e n d a n t 's w h o le 8 / . .. d e f e n ce in t h is c a se is b a s e d. T h at s e n t e n ce r e a ds as f o l l o w s :- - 8 - " T he 4 E RF b u s es a re f u l ly p a id f o r ." M o re a b o ut t h is l a t e r. P W1 e x p l a i n ed t h at it w as p r e c i s e ly b e c a u se of t he c o n f u- s i on t h at m i g ht be c r e a t ed by Ex " B" t h at P l a i n t i ff d e c i d ed to a m e nd i ts s u m m o ns in o r d er to d e f er t he c l a im on t he s a id 4 E RF b u s es to a l a t er d a te as P l a i n t i ff h ad a v a l id c l a im in r e s p e ct of t h o se b u s es w h i ch s t i ll h ad o u t s t a n d i ng b a l a n c es d e s p i te w h at t he s a id M r s. S u s an B u c h l i ng h ad s t a t ed in Ex " B ". T h o se 4 E RF b u s es a re t h e r e f o re n ot p a rt of t he P l a i n t i f f 's c l a im b e f o re m e. I o b s e r ve t h at t he w h o le of M r. M a t o o a n e 's c r o ss e x a m i n a- t i on of P W1 w as d i r e c t ed at t he s a id Ex " B" in an a t t e m pt to s h ow t h at t he s a id 4 E RF b u s es w e re s u r r e n d e r ed by t he D e f e n d a nt " to d e f r ay t he e n t i re d e bt o u t s t a n d i n g" as a l l e g ed in p a r a g r a ph 4 of D e f e n d a n t 's p l e a. P W1 h ad no d i f f i c u l ty in d e n y i ng t h is s u g g e s t i o n. As f ar as he w as c o n c e r n ed t h e re w as no s u ch v e r b al a g r e e m e nt b e t w e en t he p a r t i e s. A p a rt f r om t he f a ct t h at P W1 g a ve e v i d e n ce in a c o n v i n c i ng s t r a i g ht f o r w a rd m a n n er a nd i m p r e s s ed me as a t r u t h f ul witness t h r o u g h o ut h is e v i d e n ce I am p a r t i c u l a r ly i m p r e s s ed by h is e x p l a n a t i on t h at at t h at s t a ge w h en t he 4 E RF b u s es w e re s u r r e n d e r ed on 2 3 rd J a n u a ry 1 9 92 it . w o u ld h a ve b e en i m p o s s i b le to s ay w h at t he v a l ue of t he b u s es w o u ld be in as m u ch as t h ey w e re s t i ll a w a i t i ng t he v a l u a t i on of t he a s s e s s o rs r e g a r d i ng s u ch t h i n gs as d e p r e c i a t i o n. I f i nd t h e r e f o re t h at t h is e x p l a n a t i on is m o re p r o b a b le t h an t h at of t he D e f e n d a nt a nd I a c c o r d i n g ly a c c e pt it a nd r e j e ct t he l a t t er as f a l s e. N or d o es t he m a t t er e nd t h e r e. 9 / . .. - 9 - C l a u se 18 of t he s a id S a le A g r e e m e n ts p r o v i d es in p a rt as f o l l o w s :- "This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties hereto. No Agreement at variance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be of any force or effect unless it is in writing and signed by the parties to this Agreement. The Buyer declares that this Agreement was fully completed at signature thereof and that the particulars in this Agreement are correct in all respect." In t he c i r c u m s t a n c es t h e r e f o re I am s a t i s f i ed t h at t h e re w as no s u ch v e r b al a g r e e m e nt as a l l e g ed by t he D e f e n d a nt or at a l l. I am s a t i s f i ed t h at if t h e re w e re s u ch a g r e e m e nt it w o u ld h a ve b e en r e d u c ed to w r i t i ng a nd s i g n ed by t he p a r t i es in t e r ms of C l a u se 18 of t he A g r e e m e nt as a f o r e s a i d. In a ny e v e nt it is my v i ew t h at a ny v e r b al a g r e e m e nt of t he n a t u re s u g g e s t ed by t he D e f e n d a nt in t h is m a t t er w o u ld be at v a r i a n ce w i th t he t e r ms a nd c o n d i t i o ns of C l a u se 18 of t he w r i t t en S a le A g r e e m e n ts b e t w e en t he p a r t i es as a f o r e s a id a nd w o u ld as s u ch be of no f o r ce or e f f e c t. I f i nd m y s e lf in g o od c o m p a ny in t h is v i ew r e g a rd b e i ng h ad to t he r e m a r ks of t he L e a r n ed C h i ef J u s t i ce J . L. K h e o la in D o r b yl V e h i c le T r a d i ng a nd F i n a n ce C o m p a ny ( P t y) L t d. v M a o e la K u ni S e k h o a ne CIV/APN/84/95 ( u n r e p o r t e d) w h e r e in t he L e a r n ed C h i ef J u s t i ce e x p r e s s ed a s i m i l ar v i ew in a s u b s t a n t i a l ly s i m i l ar m a t t er a nd I w o u ld w i th r e s p e ct l i ke to a d o pt w h at he s a id at p a ge 8 of t h at c a s e :- " T he a g r e e m e nt a l l e g e d ly r e a c h ed by t he r e s p o n d e nt a nd t he a l l e g ed a p p l i c a n t 's a g e nt w as a b r e a ch of t he t e r ms of t he a g r e e m e nt b e c a u se it w as n ot in 1 0 / . .. - 10 - w r i t i n g. C l a u se 18 p r o v i d es t h at t h is a g r e e m e nt c o n s t i t u t es t he e n t i re a g r e e m e nt b e t w e en t he p a r t i es h e r e t o. No a g r e e m e nt at v a r i a n ce w i th t he t e r ms a nd c o n d i t i o ns of t h is a g r e e m e nt s h a ll be of a ny f o r ce or e f f e ct u n l e ss it is in w r i t i ng a nd s i g n ed by t he p a r t i es to t h is a g r e e m e n t. T he a g r e e m e nt w h i ch w as a l l e g e d ly r e a c h ed by t he r e s p o n d e nt a nd t he a l l e g ed a p p l i- c a n t 's a g e nt w as at v a r i a n ce w i th t he t e r ms a nd c o n d i t i o ns of t he o r i g i n al a g r e e m e nt u n d er w h i ch t he r e s p o n d e nt w as to p ay m o n t h ly i n s t a l- m e n t s. U n d er t h at a g r e e m e nt he w as g i v en a g r a ce to p ay t he i n s t a l m e n ts at t he e nd of t h is m o n t h ." I n d e ed P W1 h as t e s t i f i ed b e f o re me a nd I b e l i e ve h im in t he c i r c u m s t a n c es t h at if t h e re w e re a ny s u ch v e r b al a g r e e m e nt as s u g g e s t ed by D e f e n d a n t " it w o u ld h a ve b e en r e d u c ed to w r i t i ng a nd s i g n ed by t he p a r t i e s ." I h a ve a l so n ot l o st s i g ht of P W 1 's u n c h a l l e n g ed e v i d e n ce w h i ch I b e l i e ve t h at M r s. S u s an B u c h l i ng h ad no a u t h o r i ty to b i nd t he P l a i n t i ff c o m p a ny a nd t h at t he l a st s e n t e n ce in Ex " B ", n a m e ly " t he 4 E RF b u s es a re f u l ly p a id f o r ," is w r o n g. T he e v i d e n ce b e f o re me is t h at M r s. S u s an B u c h l i ng w as no m o re t h an a c r e d it c o n t r o l l e r. It w as P W 1 's u n c h a l l e n g ed e v i d e n ce t h at " S u s an as c r e d it c o n t r o l l er h ad no a u t h o r i ty to c o m m it t he c o m p a ny in t he m a n n er a l l e g e d ." N or w as he c h a l l e n g ed in h is e v i d e n ce t h at t he s a id M r s. S u s an B u c h l i ng w r o te Ex " B" w i t h o ut a u t h o r i t y. I o b s e r ve t h at e v en t he l e t t er h e ad s he u s ed is n ot of p l a i n t i ff c o m p a ny b ut it is t h at of B u s a f. S i g n i f i c a n t ly P W1 w e nt f u r t h er to t e s t i fy t h at t h e re is a c r e d it Manager u n d er w h om t he s a id M r s. S u s an B u c h l i ng f a l l s. A g a in t h is w as n ot d e n i ed in c r o ss e x a m i n a t i on or in t he e v i d e n ce of t he D e f e n d a n t. 11/.... - 11 - T he c r o ss e x a m i n a t i on on t h is i s s ue as I s ee it w as m a i n ly c o n f i n ed to s h o w i ng t h at t h i rd p a r t i es m i g ht be e n t i t l ed to a s s u me t he c o r r e c t n e ss of M r s. S u s an B u c h l i n g 's s t a t e m e nt in Ex " B ". In p a r t i c u l ar M r. M a t o o a n e 's q u e s t i on to P W1 on t h is p o i nt w as as f o l l o w s: " Q: W o u ld a t h i rd p a r ty h a ve r e a s on to d o u bt h er ( M r s. S u s an B u c h l i n g) if s he s a id I h a ve f i n i s h e d? A: No b ut I w o u ld d o u bt Ex " B" b e c a u se t he l e t t er h e ad is in t he n a me of B u s af a d i v i s i on of D o r b y l. Q. C t: Is it t he s a me c o m p a ny as p l a i n t i ff c o m p a n y? A: No it is n ot t he s a me c o m p a n y. Q: W ho do y ou b l a m e, t he b u y er or t he c r o o k ed c r e d it c o n t r o l l e r? A: We h a ve to l o ok at t he f a c t s ." P W1 w as a d a m a nt t h at he c o u ld s ee n o w h e re w h e re it w as s t a t ed t h at t he d e b ts h ad b e en p a i d. T h en t r ue to f o rm c a me M r. M a t o o a n e 's q u e s t i on :- " Q: A s s u m i ng S u s an d id s ay t h at t he 4 E RF b u s es h ad b e en p a id f o r, w o u ld y ou b l a me my c l i e n t? A: It d e p e n d s. Y ou w o u ld k n ow t h at y o ur d e b ts a re s t i ll t h e r e. S u r e ly as a r e a s o n a b le p e r s on he w o u ld k n ow t h at h is d e bt is n ot e x t i n g u i s h e d ." 1 2 / . .. - 12 - I f i nd t h at t h er is m e r it in t h is a n s w er a nd I a c c e pt it as a r e a s o n a b le p r o b a b i l i ty a nd I s h a ll c e r t a i n ly b e ar it in m i nd w h en d e a l i ng w i th t he d e f e n ce of t he D e f e n d a nt on w h e t h er he d id p ay f or t he b u s es in d i s p u te as w e ll as t he 4 E RF b u s e s. T h e re is t h en t he e v i d e n ce of P W2 N e v il D a v id S m i th w ho t e s t i f i es t h at in J u ly 1 9 92 he w as e m p l o y ed at B u s a f. He is f a m i l i ar w i th t he c a se b e f o re me a nd he p e r s o n a l ly k n o ws t he D e f e n d a nt as he h ad d e a l i n gs w i th h i m. In 1 9 92 he w as i n s t r u c t ed by h is s u p e r i o rs to t a ke t h r ee v o l u n t a ry s u r r e n d er d o c u m e n ts to t he D e f e n d a nt f or h is s i g n a t u r e. He h a n d ed t h o se d o c u m e n ts in e v i d e n ce as Ex " C" c o l l e c t i v e l y. As I o b s e r v ed in my r u l i ng of t he 3 0 th A u g u st 1 9 96 in t he a p p l i c a t i on f or a b s o l u t i on f r om t he i n s t a n ce it is c o m m on c a u se t h at t h o se v o l u n t a ry s u r r e n d er d o c u m e n ts r e l a t ed to t he a f o r e s a id t h r ee w r i t t en s a le a g r e e m e n ts b e t w e en t he p a r t i es h e r e i n. P W2 s p e c i f i c a l ly t o ld t he c o u rt t h at t h o se d o c u m e n ts r e l a t ed to t he t h r ee m o t or v e h i c l es r e f e r r ed to in c l a i ms ( a) ( b) a nd ( c) of t he s u m m o ns in t h is m a t t e r. He i d e n t i f i ed t he s i g n a t u r es at t he b o t t om of e a ch s u ch d o c u m e nt as b e l o n g i ng to t he D e f e n d a nt h i m s e l f. It w as h is u n c h a l l e n g ed e v i d e n ce t h at t he l a t t er v o l u n t a r i ly s u r r e n d e r ed t he t h r ee m o t or v e h i c l es in q u e s t i on a nd e v en s i g n ed t h e r e t o. S i g n i f i c a n t ly it w as P W 2 's e v i d e n ce t h at t h e re w as no a g r e e m e nt t h at t he s u r r e n d e r i ng of t he m o t or v e h i c l es in q u e s t i on w o u ld e x t i n g u i sh t he d e b ts o w i ng by t he D e f e n d a n t. In t he s a id v o l u n t a ry s u r r e n d er d o c u m e n ts Ex " C" t he D e f e n d a nt u n e q u i v o c a l ly a c k n o w l e d g es h is i n d e b t e d n e ss to t he 1 3 / . .. - 13 - P l a i n t i ff in t he f o l l o w i ng t e r m s :- "I do h e r e by a g r ee a nd u n d e r t a ke to p ay to t he C o m p a n y, u p on a d v i ce r e c e i v ed f r om t h em or on t h e ir b e h a l f, t he a m o u nt of t he d i f f e r e n ce b e t w e en t he b a l a n ce of t he p u r c h a se p r i ce d ue by me on t e r m i n a t i on ( i n c l u s i ve of I n t e r e st on A r r e a r s, e x p e n s es a nd l e g al c h a r g es of w h a t s o e v er n a t u re i n c u r r ed by t he C o m p a ny a r i s i ng d i r e c t ly or i n d i r e c t ly o ut of my default in r e s p e ct of a ny of t he t e r ms a nd c o n d i t i o ns of t he s a id A g r e e m e n t) a nd t he A p p r a i s ed V a l ue of t he s a id m o t or v e h i c l e / t r a i l er or t he n e tt . p r o c e e ds of t he s a le t h e r e of at t he C o m p a n y 's o p t i o n ." I t u rn t h en to d e al w i th D e f e n d a n t 's e v i d e n ce b e f o re m e. H is e v i d e n ce in c h i ef w as s u r p r i s i n g ly s h o rt a nd w as b r i e f ly to t he f o l l o w i ng e f f e c t: In 1 9 92 w h en t he b u s i n e ss w a s n 't so g o od he c o n t a c t ed o ne S u s an in D u r b a n. He a c t u a l ly w e nt to h er p h y s i c a l l y. He k n ew h er b e c a u se he u s ed to w o rk t o g e t h er w i th h e r. He u s ed to p ay h is d e p o s it to h er at B u s af w h e re he u s ed to g et t he b u s es f r o m. I n c r e d i b ly he c l a i ms he d id n ot k n ow a n y t h i ng a b o ut D o r b yl as he o n ly k n ew B u s a f. He b o u g ht s e v en b u s es f r om B u s a f. It w as w h en t he b u s i n e ss w a s n 't g o i ng w e ll t h at he c o n s u l t ed S u s an as a f o r e s a id a nd he a s k ed t h at he s h o u ld s u r r e n d er t he 4 E RF b u s es he w as n ot u s i n g. A l t h o u gh he f o r g e ts t he e x a ct d a te t h is c o u ld h a ve b e en e a r ly in 1 9 9 2. W e ll I am p r e p a r ed to a c c e pt P W 1 's u n c h a l l e n g ed e v i d e n ce t h at t he 4 E RF b u s es w e re s u r r e n d e r ed on 2 3 rd J a n u a ry 1 9 9 2. 1 4 / . .. - 14 - It is D e f e n d a n t 's e v i d e n ce t h at t he s a id " M r s. S u s a n" s a id he s h o u ld b r i ng t h o se 4 E RF b u s es f or v a l u a t i on w h i ch he d id b e c a u se "I h ad t o ld h er I w a n t ed to s e t t le t he L e y l a nd b u s es f o r m i ng t he s u b j e ct m a t t er of t h is d i s p u t e ." T h e re is no d o u bt in my m i nd t h at t he D e f e n d a nt is n ot t e l l i ng t he t r u th in t h is r e s p e ct b e c a u se at t h at s t a ge t he L e y l a nd b u s es h ad n ot y et b e en b o u g ht a l t o g e t h e r. T h ey w e re o n ly b o u g ht in A p r il 1 9 9 2. A c c o r d i ng to t he D e f e n d a nt h o w e v er t he s a id S u s an t h e r e- a f t er t o ld h im s he w o u ld s e nd p e o p le to go a nd f e t ch t he r e m a i n i ng 3 b u s es n a m e ly t he 3 L e y l a nd b u s es in d i s p u te in t h is m a t t er a nd t h at t h is w as in f a ct d o n e. He w as t h en a s k ed by h is a t t o r n ey M r. M a t o o a n e :- " Q: D id s he g i ve y ou t he r e a s o n? A: S he s a id s he w as t a k i ng t h em f or v a l u a- t i o n ," a d d i ng "I d i d n 't k n ow t he d e t a i l s, I w as j u st t r u s t i ng t he c o m p a n y ." T h is c o u ld h a ve b e en a b o ut J u ly 1 9 9 2. He w as t h en g i v en a l e t t er by t he s a id S u s an w h i ch m e n t i o n ed t h at t he 4 E RF b u s es w e re f u l ly p a id f o r. P r e s u m a b ly t h is w as in r e f e r e n ce to t he l a st s e n t e n ce in Ex " B" w h i ch r e a ds as f o l l o w s: " TO : MR M . J . M A T S A BA D A TE : F R OM : M AY 6, 1 9 92 S U S AN B U C H L I NG ( B U S A F) RE : L E Y L A ND B U S ES S E T T L E M E N TS Y o ur s e t t l e m e nt on t he 3 L e y l a nd b u s es is as f o l l o w s :- 1 5 / . .. - 1 5- 1 9 90 L e y l a nd 1 7 / 2 80 1 9 90 L e y l a nd 1 7 / 2 80 1 9 92 L e y l a nd 1 7 / 2 80 = = = R 5 7 4 0 5 7 - 39 R 3 9 0 1 3 2 - 40 R 5 7 1 9 9 3 - 50 S e t t l e m e n ts a re v a l id u n t il t he 2 7 th of M ay 1 9 9 2. T he 4 E RF b u s es a re f u l ly p a id f o r. Y o u rs f a i t h f u l l y, M r s. S. B u c h l i ng C R E D IT C O N T R O L L E R" T h e r e a f t er he r e c e i v ed t he p r e s e nt s u m m o ns a f t er s ix m o n t h s. T h is w as a ll t he e v i d e n ce of t he D e f e n d a nt in c h i ef a nd I o b s e r ve s t r a i g ht a w ay t h at he d id n ot e v en a t t e m pt to d e al w i th or c h a l l e n ge t he e v i d e n ce of b o th PW1 a nd P W2 in t he m a t t er o t h er t h an a r e f e r e n ce to t he l e t t er Ex " B" in w h i ch it is a l l e g ed t h at t he 4 E RF b u s es w e re f u l ly p a id f o r. In c r o ss e x a m i n a t i on by M r. M a l e b a n ye f or t he P l a i n t i ff t he D e f e n d a nt a d m i t t ed h a v i ng s i g n ed t he i n s t a l m e nt S a le A g r e e m e n ts in t he m a t t e r. He h o w e v er d e n i ed e v er t e l l i ng t he C o u rt t h at he s u r r e n d e r ed a t o t al of s e v en b u s e s. I h a ve no d o u bt in my m i nd t h at t he D e f e n d a nt w as n ot b e i ng t r u t h f ul in h is d e n i al on t he i s s u e. A c c o r d i ng to h is e v i d e n ce he f i r st s u r r e n d e r ed 4 E RF b u s es a nd s u b s e q u e n t ly t he 3 L e y l a nd b u s es f o r m i ng t he s u b j e ct m a t t er of t h is d i s p u t e. T h at c l e a r ly m a k es a t o t al of s e v en b u s es in a l l. T he n e xt q u e s t i on f r om M r. M a l e b a n ye p r o d u c ed a c o m p l e te t u rn a b o ut f r om t he D e f e n d a nt in t he f o l l o w i ng t e r m s :- 1 6 / . .. - 16 - " Q: I am p u t t i ng it to y ou t h at t h e se s e v en b u s es y ou d id n ot s u r r e n d er t h em at t he s a me t i m e. A: I d i d n 't s u r r e n d er t he b u s e s ." I h a ve no d o u bt t h at t he D e f e n d a nt w as n ot p r e p a r ed to t e ll me t he t r u th in t h is m a t t er a nd he g a ve me t he i m p r e s s i on t h at he w as d e t e r m i n ed to d e ny a l m o st a n y t h i ng t h at w as p ut to h im in c r o ss e x a m i n a t i o n. F or i n s t a n ce M r. M a l e b a n ye p ut t he f o l l o w i ng q u e s t i on to h i m :- " Q: I f u r t h er p ut it to y ou t h at t he a g r e e m e nt y ou c o n c l u d ed in r e s p e ct of t he L e y l a nd b u s es is d a t ed A p r il 1 9 9 2. A: It c an h a p p en t h at I d id n ot b uy t h is L e y l a nd in 1 9 9 2 ." It w as o b v i o us to me t h at t he D e f e n d a nt w as b e i ng d e l i b e r a t e ly e v a s i ve a nd t he c o u rt p ut t he f o l l o w i ng q u e s t i on to h im f or c l a r i f i c a t i o n :- " Q. C t: Is t he d a te A p r il 1 9 92 d e n i e d? A: M ay I e x p l a i n. I d id n ot b uy t h e se v e h i c l es in 1 9 9 2 ." T h is d e n i al w as d e s p i te t he D e f e n d a n t 's a d m i s s i on in h is p l e a. He w as t h en d r i v en to c o n c e de "I a g r ee t h at I s i g n ed t h is c o n t r a ct in A p r il 1 9 9 2 ." T he D e f e n d a nt w as t h en c o n f r o n t ed w i th t he t h r ee v o l u n t a ry s u r r e n d er d o c u m e n ts Ex " C" in t he m a t t e r. H is r e s p o n se w as to 1 7 / . .. - 17 - p r e t e nd n ot to k n ow E n g l i sh a d d i ng t h at he s i g n ed a ll t he s e v en c o n t r a c ts w i th p l a i n t i ff c o m p a ny w i t h o ut u n d e r s t a n d i ng or k n o w- ing t he c o n t e n ts t h e r e o f. He c l a i m ed t h at no o ne e x p l a i n ed t he c o n t e n ts of t he c o n t r a c ts to h i m. I s aw a nd o b s e r v ed t he D e f e n d a n t 's d e m e a n o ur in t he witness b ox a nd he c l e a r ly g a ve me t he i m p r e s s i on t h at he w as a ll o ut to d e c e i ve a nd m i s l e ad t he c o u rt as b e st as he c o u l d. I d id n ot b e l i e ve h im in h is a l l e g a- t i o ns as a f o r e s a id p a r t i c u l a r ly as t h e se w e re n e v er r a i s ed in t he p l e a d i n gs or in c r o ss e x a m i n a t i on of p l a i n t i f f 's witnesses. I n d e ed D e f e n d a nt w as f i n a l ly f o r c ed to y i e ld to t he p r e s s u re of t he f o l l o w i ng q u e s t i on by M r. M a l e b a n y e :- " Q: I am p u t t i ng it to y ou n ow t h at t he s i g n a t u r es on Ex " C" a re y o ur s i g n a t u r e s. A: Y es t he s i g n a t u re is m i n e. S u s an s a id t h is w as t he e v i d e n ce t h at I h ad s u r r e n d e r ed t he v e h i c l e s ." Y et as s o on as he w as m a de a w a re t h at he s i g n ed Ex " C" in J u ly 1 9 92 w e ll a f t er Ex " B" w h i ch h ad b e en s i g n ed on 6 / 5 / 92 a nd t h at in Ex " C" he s t i ll a c k n o w l e d g ed h is i n d e b t e d n e ss to p l a i n t i ff d e s p i te h is c l a im t h at t he 4 E RF b u s es h ad a l r e a dy s et o ff h is d e bt t he D e f e n d a nt m a de a n o t h er d r a m a t ic s o m e r s a u lt to d e ny h is s i g n a t u re in Ex " C ". T he q u e s t i on w as as f o l l o w s :- " Q: I am p u t t i ng it to y ou t h at e v en s u b s e q u e nt to Ex " B" w h i ch w as s i g n ed on 6 / 5 / 92 y ou s t i ll s i g n ed Ex " C" in J u ly 1 9 92 i n d i c a t i ng t h at y ou s t i ll a c k n o w l e d g ed y o ur i n d e b t e d- n e ss to p l a i n t i f f. A: T h at is n ot my s i g n a t u r e ." 1 8 / . .. - 18 - W e ll I am s a t i s f i ed t h at t he s i g n a t u re on Ex " C" is t h at of t he D e f e n d a nt as he h as h i m s e lf e a r l i er a d m i t t e d. I o b s e r ve t h at t h is s i g n a t u re is t he s a me as t h at a p p e a r i ng in t he w r i t t en i n s t a l m e nt s a le A g r e e m e n ts in t he m a t t er w h i ch t he D e f e n d a nt a d m i ts as h i s. I am c o n v i n c ed t h at t he D e f e n d a nt is s u ch an u n t r u t h f ul witness t h at he d o es n ot h e s i t a te to c h a n ge v e r s i o ns if and w h en it s u i ts h i m. T he t r u th o b v i o u s ly m e a ns n o t h i ng to h im as long as he c an h a ve it h is o wn w ay in t he m a t t e r. It w as t h en s i g n i f i c a n t ly p ut to t he D e f e n d a nt t h at if he k n ew he had f u l ly p a id f or t he 4 ERF b u s es he w o u l d n 't h a ve s u r r e n d e r ed t h e m. A f t er a v e ry long p a u se h is r e p ly w as t h at he had t a l k ed o v er w i th S u s a n. T h is o b v i o u s ly e v a s i ve r e p ly p r o v o k ed a f u r t h er q u e s t i on f r om M r. M a l e b a n y e :- " Q: A re y ou s e r i o u s ly t e l l i ng h is l o r d s h ip t h at j u st b e c a u se y ou t a l k ed w i th S u s an y ou s u r r e n d e r ed t he v e h i c l es e v en t h o u gh y ou had f u l ly p a id f or t h e m? A: I d id so b e c a u se of t he L e y l a nd b u s e s ." N or w as t h at t he e nd of t he D e f e n d a n t 's e v a s i ve r e p l i es to d i r e ct q u e s t i o ns p ut to h i m. He w as t h en a s k e d :- " Q: W h en w as y o ur last p a y m e nt t h at e x t e n g u i s h ed y o ur d e b t? A: S u s an is t he p e r s on to k n o w. I w as h a v i ng d e a l i n gs w i th h e r ." T he c o u rt t h en a s k ed h im by w ay of c l a r i f i c a t i on w h e t h er he h ad r e c e i p ts at all in r e s p e ct of t h o se 4 ERF b u s es b ut h is r e p ly 1 9 / . .. - 19 - w as t h at he h ad n o ne as " it h a p p e n ed a l o ng t i me a g o ." It w i ll be r e c a l l ed as e a r l i er s t a t ed t h at D e f e n d a n t 's c a se as s et o ut in p a r a g r a ph 4 of h is p l ea is b a s i c a l ly t h at t h e re w as a f u r t h er v e r b al a g r e e m e nt b e t w e en t he p l a i n t i ff a nd h i m s e lf to t he e f f e ct t h at t he v a l ue of t he 4 E RF b u s es " a ll of w h i ch w e re in v e ry g o od c o n d i t i on w o u ld be u s ed to d e f r ay t he e n t i re d e bt o u t s t a n d i n g ;" As e a r l i er s t a t e d, I am s a t i s f i ed t h at t h e re w as no s u ch v e r b al a g r e e m e nt a nd t h at t he D e f e n d a nt is b e i ng p l a in u n t r u t h f ul in t h is r e s p e c t. S i n ce it is D e f e n d a n t 's c a se t h at t he s a id 4 E RF b u s es w e re f u l ly p a id f or a nd t h at t h ey w e re u s ed " to d e f r ay t he e n t i re d e bt o u t s t a n d i n g ", t h en it is my v i ew t h at on t he p r i n c i p le t h at he w ho a l l e g es m u st p r o v e, it is l o g i c al t h at t he D e f e n d a nt b e a rs t he e v i d e n t i al b u r d en of p r o v i ng h is a l l e g a t i o ns t h e r e in a nd t he a l l e g ed p a y m e n t s. In f a ct I m a de t h is q u i te c l e ar in my r u l i ng on t he a p p l i c a t i on f or a b s o l u t i on f r om t he i n s t a n ce y et t he D e f e n d a nt h as d i s m a l ly f a i l ed to d i s c h a r ge s u ch p r o o f. In D e s ai v I n n an & C o. 1 9 71 ( 1) S . A. 43 H a r c o u rt J h ad o c c a s i on to d e al w i th a s i m i l ar s i t u a t i on a nd I r e s p e c t f u l ly a d o pt w h at he s a id at p a ge 51 of h is j u d g m e n t :- " N ow it is c l e ar t h at t he o n us in t he g e n e r al s e n se of t he d u ty on a p e r s on c l a i m i ng s o m e- t h i ng f r om a n o t h er in a c o u rt of l aw to s a t i s fy t he c o u rt t h at he is e n t i t l ed to it ( P i l l ay v K r i s h na a nd A n o t h e r, 1 9 46 A . D. at 2 0 / . .. - 20 - p 9 5 1) is on t he j u d g m e nt c r e d i t o r. B ut w h e r e, as h e r e, t he j u d g m e nt d e b t or s e e ks to a v o id l i a b i l i ty n ot by d e n y i ng l i a b i l i ty on t he c o n t r a ct or t he j u d g m e nt b a s ed u p on s u ch c o n t r a c t, b ut u p on a c l a im t h at t he o b l i g a- t i o ns i n v o l v ed h a ve b e en d i s c h a r g e d, t h e n, in my j u d g e m e n t, t he o n us is u p on h im to e s t a b l i sh s u ch d i s c h a r g e. T h is w as h e ld to be so in r e g a rd to a p l ea of p a y m e nt in P i l l a y 's c a s e, s u p ra at p. 9 5 8 ." T h e re is no e v i d e n ce t h at t he 4 E RF b u s es w e re e v er e v a l u a t ed a nd if so w h at t h e ir v a l ue w a s. M r. M a t o o a ne h i m s e lf a p p e a rs to c o n c e de t h is p o i nt in t he l a st s e n t e n ce of h is H e a ds of A r g u m e nt w h e re he s t a t e s: " It is s u b m i t t ed w i th r e s p e ct t h at t h is a c t i on s h o u ld be d i s m i s s ed a nd t he P l a i n t i ff s h o u ld be o r d e r ed to v a l ue t he 4 E RF b u s es to s et o ff t he d e b t ." C o n s e q u e n t l y, it c a n n ot be s a id t h at t he 4 E RF b u s es w e re u s ed to d e f r ay t he e n t i re d e bt o u t s t a n d i ng w i t h o ut s u ch v a l u a- t i o n. I a c c o r d i n g ly r e j e ct d e f e n d a n t 's c l a im in t h is r e s p e ct as f a l s e. I g a i n ed t he i m p r e s s i on t h at t he d e f e n d a nt h ad no g e n u i ne d e f e n ce a nd t h at he p r o b a b ly t h o u g ht Ex " B" h ad s u d d e n ly p r e s e n t ed h im w i th an u n e x p e c t ed b o n us or a p i e ce of l u ck l i ke t he B i b l i c al m a n na f r om h e a v en b ut t he c i r c u m s t a n c es a nd t he s t a rk r e a l i t i es of t he c a se as a f o r e s a id c l e a r ly s u g g e st o t h e r- w i s e. M r. M a t o o a ne w as t h en f o r c ed to e m b a rk on a f i s h i ng 2 1 / . .. - 21 - e x p e d i t i on in h is c r o ss e x a m i n a t i on of P W1 to t he f o l l o w i ng e f f e ct :- " Q: Is t h e re a p o s s i b i l i ty t h at t h e re m i g ht be b o g us r e c e i p ts i s s u ed a nd t he m o n ey w as n ot r e c e i v ed by D o r b y l? A: A f t er i n v e s t i g a t i o ns d o ne t h e re is no s u ch p o s s i b i l i t y ." W e ll t he f a ct of t he m a t t er is t h at t he D e f e n d a nt f a i l ed to p r o d u ce a ny r e c e i p ts f or p a y m e n ts be t h ey g e n u i ne or b o g u s. He f a i l ed to c a ll a s i n g le witness to s u b s t a n t i a te h is c l a i m. He d id n ot e v en s e ek to h a ve t he s a id M r s. S u s an B u c h l i ng c a l l ed as a witness in s u p p o rt of h is d e f e n c e. It is t r ue s he w as r e p o r t ed to be in g a ol b ut t h e re w e re s e v e r al a v e n u es t h at t he D e f e n d a nt c o u ld h a ve a v a i l ed h i m s e lf of to o b t a in t he e v i d e n ce of t he s a id M r s. B u c h l i n g; f or i n s t a n ce he c o u ld h a ve a p p l i ed t h at h er e v i d e n ce be t a k en on c o m m i s s i on or at l e a st a p p l i ed to f i le h er a f f i d a v i t. N or h as it e s c a p ed my m i nd t h at t he u n c h a l l e n g ed e v i d e n ce b e f o re me s h o ws t h at t he s a id M r s. B u c h l i ng w as i m p r i s o n ed f or h a v i ng d e f r a u d ed t he p l a i n t i ff c o m p a ny of i n s u r a n ce c l a i m s. H er e x e c u t i on of Ex " B" as a l l e g ed c o n s e q u e n t ly b e c o m es e v en m o re s u s p e ct as t h e re m ay w e ll h a ve b e en a c o l l u s i on b e t w e en h e r s e lf a nd t he d e f e n d a nt in t he m a t t e r. H er h o n e s ty a nd i n t e g r i ty a re c e r t a i n ly at s t a k e. I o b s e r ve t h at M r. M a t o o a ne f or t he D e f e n d a nt a c t u a l ly r e f e r r ed to h er as t he " c r o o k ed C r e d it C o n t r o l l e r" in h is c r o ss e x a m i n a t i on of P W 1. Y et I am n ow e x p e c t ed to t r e at h er Ex " B" as g e n u i n e. 2 2 / . .. - 22 - In a ny e v e nt I am s a t i s f i ed t h at e v en a s s u m i ng t h at Ex " B" is c o r r e ct a nd t h at t he 4 E RF b u s es w e re f u l ly p a id f or t he P l a i n t i f f 's e v i d e n ce b e f o re me w h i ch I b e l i e ve in t he c i r c u m- s t a n c es of t he c a se s h o ws t h at t h e re a re b a l a n c es o w i ng in r e s p e ct of t he t h r ee L e y l a nd b u s es f o r m i ng t he s u b j e ct m a t t er of t he d i s p u te b e f o re m e. In my v i ew t he D e f e n d a nt w o u ld n ot h a ve s u r r e n d e r ed t he s a id L e y l a nd b u s es if it w as t r ue t h at t h ey h ad b e en f u l ly p a id f or in t he s e n se t h at t he 4 E RF b u s es h ad b e en " u s ed to d e f r ay t he e n t i re d e bt o u t s t a n d i n g" as a l l e g e d. In all the c i r c u m s t a n c es of t he c a se I am s a t i s f i ed on a b a l a n ce of p r o b a b i l i t i es t h at t he D e f e n d a nt o w es t he P l a i n t i ff as c l a i m ed in t he s u m m o n s. As to c o s t s, C l a u se 1 2 .3 a nd 1 2 . 3 . 3. of t he i n s t a l m e nt s a le A g r e e m e n ts p r o v i de as f o l l o w s :- " 1 2 :3 T he S e l l er is f u r t h er a u t h o r i s ed to p e r f o rm a ny o b l i g a t i on of t he B u y er w h i ch t he B u y er f a i ls to p e r f o rm on t he B u y e r 's b e h a lf a nd to c l a im t he c o s ts t h e r e of f r om t he B u y er on d e m a nd i n c l u d i ng w i t h o ut l i m i t a- t i on - 1 2 : 3 :3 A ll l e g al f e e s, c o s ts a nd d i s b u r s e- m e n ts i n c u r r ed by t he S e l l er i r r e s p e c t i ve of w h e t h er a c t i on h as b e en i n s t i t u t ed or n ot a nd i r r e s p e c t i ve of in w h i ch c o u rt a c t i on is i n s t i t u t ed on t he s c a le as b e t w e en an a t t o r n ey a nd h is own c l i e n t ;" 2 3 / . .. - 23 - There shall accordingly be judgment for Plaintiff as prayed in the amended summons with costs on attorney and client scale and I so order. M. M. RAMODIBEDI ACTING JUDGE For Plaintiff; Mr. Malebanye For Defendant: Mr. Matooane