Sekhonyana and Others v Attorney-General and Others (CIV/APN 181 of 96) [1996] LSHC 84 (30 August 1996)
- Citation
- [1996] LSHC 84
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- Lesotho
- Court
- High Court
- Posture
- Review Application / Judgment on Review of Taxation of Costs
- Case number
- CIV/APN 181 of 96
- Language
- English
More details
- Court
- High Court
- Posture
- Review Application / Judgment on Review of Taxation of Costs
- Case number
- CIV/APN 181 of 96
- Language
- English
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The applicants failed to comply with the mandatory procedural requirements for review of taxation under Rule 49(1), did not object to any items before the taxing master, did not request a stated case within the prescribed period, and provided no explanation or application for condonation. The bills of costs were properly served on the attorney of record. There is no merit in the complaint regarding multiple bills of costs. The application is dismissed for non-compliance with the rules and as an abuse of court process.
Court disposition
application dismissed
Orders
- Application dismissed for non-compliance with Rule 49(1) of the High Court Rules and absence of condonation application.
- Rule nisi discharged with costs.
02
Material facts
Parties
Evaristus R. Sekhonyana
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneAbiel Moupo Mathaba
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneDr. Ebenezer Malie
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneLekhoana Jonathan
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneTeboho Vincent Lephema
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneNathanael Nkuatsana
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneRanthomeng Matete
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalanePitso Augustine Tsotsi
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneJeremia Morena Letsie
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneTšolo LELALA
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneFelix Thabo Putsoa
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneMakhabane Hlasa Molapo
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalanePhale Mokoena
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneEmmanuel Lephele
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneLiau Molete
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneEmmanuel Molefi Thene
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneJustin Metsing Lekhanya
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneFlora Selloane Seleso
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneKhomomo Sotho Molapo
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneMichael Phoso Moketa
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneBokang Lelimo
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneMokhofu Simon Hlalele
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalanePeter Khamane
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneKali Masiloane
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneKhetla Thabo J. Rakhetla
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneVitalis Kefuoe 'Ngoae
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneRamabilikoe G. Mashape
Applicant Counsel: Mr. MphalaneAttorney-General
Respondent Counsel: Mr. MakhetheRegistrar of the High Court
Respondent Counsel: Mr. MakhetheDeputy Sheriff
Respondent Counsel: Mr. MakhetheAmounts and remedies
- Taxed Costs Against Lekhoana Jonathan (example): LSL 6,314.49
03
Procedural history
Posture
Review Application / Judgment on Review of Taxation of Costs
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether applicants complied with procedural requirements for review of taxation of costs
- 02
Whether multiple bills of costs could be taxed against applicants
- 03
Whether service of bills of costs was proper
Party arguments
- Applicant
- Applicants argued that they were not aware of the taxation, that only one bill of costs should have been taxed as costs were ordered jointly and severally, and that their previous attorney was improperly served. They sought review, correction, and setting aside of the taxed bills of costs and a stay of execution.
- Respondent
- Respondents argued that the bills of costs were properly served on the attorney of record, that applicants failed to object or follow the procedure for review under Rule 49(1), and that the Attorney-General was entitled to recover costs either jointly or severally. They contended the application was an abuse of process.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Rule 49(1) of the High Court Rules 1980
Review of taxation requires prior objection before the taxing master and compliance with Rule 49(1) of the High Court Rules.
- 02
Phiri v Northern Assurance Co 1962 (4) SA 284
Taxation of costs is primarily a matter for the discretion of the taxing master, and the court will only interfere if that discretion is exercised improperly.
- 03
Leribe Poultry Cooperative Society v Minister of Agriculture, C of A (CIV) No. 13 of 1991; Federated Employers' Insurance Co. v McKenzie 1969 (3) SA 360 (A)
Condonation for non-compliance with rules is not automatic and requires a substantive application with explanation for delay.
- 04
In re Lubbe 1964 (1) SA 855 (T)
Where costs are ordered jointly and severally, the successful party may prepare one or multiple bills as long as the amount claimed is due.
- 05
Silber v Silber 1964 (3) SA 473 (T)
Duplicated costs are primarily for the taxing master to address, not the court.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The applicants failed to comply with the mandatory procedural requirements for review of taxation under Rule 49(1), did not object to any items before the taxing master, did not request a stated case within the prescribed period, and provided no explanation or application for condonation. The bills of costs were properly served on the attorney of record. There is no merit in the complaint regarding multiple bills of costs. The application is dismissed for non-compliance with the rules and as an abuse of court process.
Obiter and limits
- The application was aimed at delay and frustrating the Attorney-General from enjoying the fruits of judgment.
- There was a complete failure to comply with Rule 49(1) and no attempt to identify any objectionable items in the bills of costs.
Court disposition
application dismissed
- Application dismissed for non-compliance with Rule 49(1) of the High Court Rules and absence of condonation application.
- Rule nisi discharged with costs.
Source and reliance status
High Court
This page organises the available record for research. Confirm quotations, current status, and subsequent treatment against the official source before relying on the case.
Judgment reading view
Judgment text
The complete available source text.
High Court
Judgment
IN THE HIGH C O U RT OF L E S O T HO In the m a t t er b e t w e e n :- E V A R I S T US R. S E K H O N Y A NA
A B I EL M O U PO M A T H A BA DR. E B E N E Z ER M A L IE
L E K H O O A NA J O N A T H AN
T E B O HO V I N C E NT LEPHEMA
N A T H A N A EL N K U A T S A NA
R A N T H O M E NG M A T E TE
PITSO A U G U S T I NE TSOTSI
J E R E M IA M O R E NA LETSIE Tšolo LELALA
FELIX T H A BO PUTSOA
M A K H A B A NE HLASOA MOLAPO
PHALE M O K O E NA
E M M A N U EL L E P H E LE
LIAU M O L E TE
E M M A N U EL MOLEFI THENE
J U S T IN M E T S I NG LEKHANYA
FLORA S E L L O A NE SELESO
K H O M O M O S O T HO MOLAPO
M I C H A EL PHOSO MOKETA
B O K A NG LELIMO
M O K H O FU SIMON H L A L E LE
PETER K H A M A NE
KALI M A S I L O A NE K H E T LA T H A BO J. RAKHETLA V I T A L IS KEFUOE 'NGOAE R A M A B I L I K OE G. M A S H A PE and C I V / A P N / 1 8 1 / 96 1ST A P P L I C A NT 2ND A P P L I C A NT 3RD A P P L I C A NT 4TH A P P L I C A NT 5TH A P P L I C A NT 6TH A P P L I C A NT 7TH A P P L I C A NT 8TH A P P L I C A NT 9TH A P P L I C A NT 10TH A P P L I C A NT 11TH A P P L I C A NT 12TH A P P L I C A NT 13TH A P P L I C A NT 14TH A P P L I C A NT 15TH A P P L I C A NT 16TH A P P L I C A NT 17TH A P P L I C A NT 18TH A P P L I C A NT 19TH A P P L I C A NT 20TH A P P L I C A NT 2 1 ST A P P L I C A NT 2 2 ND A P P L I C A NT 2 3 RD A P P L I C A NT 24TH A P P L I C A NT 25TH A P P L I C A NT 26TH A P P L I C A NT 27TH A P P L I C A NT THE A T T O R N E Y - G E N E R AL
R E G I S T R AR OF THE HIGH COURT
D E P U TY S H E R IF 1ST R E S P O N D E NT 2ND R E S P O N D E NT 3RD R E S P O N D E NT
J U D G M E NT D e l i v e r ed by The 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 di Acting Judge on the 30th day of A u g u s t, 1996 This is an application to review the t a x a t i on of a bill of c o s ts on attorney and c l i e nt scale arising from failed p e t i t i o ns filed by the a p p l i c a n t s, who w e re BNP c a n d i d a t e s, a g a i n st t h e ir BCP c o u n t e r p a r ts in the National General A s s e m b ly Election held on the 27th M a r c h, 1 9 9 3. It is apparent 2 / . .. - 2- f r om t he j u d g m e nt of C u l l i n an C . J. w ho p r e s i d ed o v er t he s a id p e t i t i o ns t o g e t h er w i th t wo o t h er j u d g es in t he C o u rt of D i s p u t ed R e t u r ns of L e s o t ho t h at t he A t t o r n ey G e n e r al w as "in f a ct t he s e c o nd r e s p o n d e nt in e a ch of t he t w e n t y - e i g ht p e t i- t i o n s ." It is f u r t h er a p p a r e nt f r om t he s a id j u d g m e nt of t he L e a r n ed C h i ef J u s t i ce w h i ch w as c o n c u r r ed in by t he o t h er t wo j u d g es t h at in d i s m i s s i ng t he p e t i t i o ns c o s ts w e re g r a n t ed " to a ll t w e n t y - n i ne r e s p o n d e n ts on t he a t t o r n ey a nd c l i e nt s c a l e, e a ch p e t i t i o n er to b e ar t he c o s ts of t he r e s p e c t i ve r e s p o n d e n t, all p e t i t i o n e rs to b e ar t he c
o s ts of t he A t t o r n e y- G e n e r al j o i n t ly and s e v e r a l l y ." T h at w as on t he 1st d ay of S e p t e m b e r, 1 9 9 3. It is c o m m on c a u se t h at on t he 11th d ay of J u l y, 1 9 95 t he A t t o r n e y - G e n e r al s e r v ed a t t o r n e ys M. N t l h o ki & C o. w i th t w e n t y- e i g ht b i l ls of c o s ts as a g a i n st e a ch of t he t w e n t y - e i g ht p e t i- t i o n e rs in t he m a t t e r. T h e se b i l ls w e re d u ly t a x ed w i t h o ut a ny o b j e c t i on by t he p e t i t i o n e rs or t h e ir a t t o r n ey on t he 2 0 th d ay of J u l y, 1 9 9 5. It is f u r t h er c o m m on c a u se t h at on t he 2 9 th d ay of A u g u st 1 9 95 t he A t t o r n e y - G e n e r al t h en f i l ed t w e n t y - e i g ht w a r r a n ts of e x e c u t i on a g a i n st t he r e s p e c t i ve p r o p e r ty of e a ch of t he t w e n t y- e i g ht p e t i t i o n e rs f or t he a m o u n ts t a x ed by t he T a x i ng M a s t er as a f o r e s a i d. T h e r e a f t er t he r e c o rd of p r o c e e d i n gs s t y l ed " T M1 - T M 7" 3 / . .. - 3- w h i ch is t he o n ly r e c o rd of p r o c e e d i n gs m a de a v a i l a b le to me i n d i c a t es t h at o n ly t wo p e t i t i o n e rs n a m e ly L e k h o o a na J o n a t h an a nd P e e te N k u e be P e e te s u b s e q u e n t ly a p p l i ed f or s t ay of e x e c u- t
i on in t he m a t t e r. S i n ce t he l a t t er d o es n ot f e a t u re in t he p r e s e nt a p p l i c a t i on b e f o re me it is c o n v e n i e nt to d e al w i th L e k h o o a na J o n a t h a n 's a p p l i c a t i on o n ly by w ay of c l a r i f i c a t i on in as m u ch as he is t he f o u r th A p p l i c a nt h e r e i n. H is a f f i d a v it in s u p p o rt of t he a f o r e s a id a p p l i c a t i on f or s t ay of e x e c u t i on w as s w o rn to on 3 1 st d ay of O c t o b er 1 9 95 a nd t he a p p l i c a t i on f i l ed on t he 7 th N o v e m b er 1 9 9 5. It s e e ms to me t h at t he w h o le b a s is of L e k h o o a na J o n a t h a n 's a p p l i c a t i on f or s t ay of e x e c u t i on w as n ot to e n a b le h im to r e v i ew t he T a x i ng M a s t e r 's d e c i s i on as s u ch b ut to c h a l l e n ge by r e v i ew t he d e c i s i on of t he C o u rt of D i s p u t ed R e t u r ns on c o s ts in as m u ch as he s t a t es in p a r a g r a p hs 1 0, 11 a nd 12 of h is f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v it t h e r e i n :- 1 0. "I w as s e r v ed w i th w r it of e x e c u t i on s o m e t i me in S e p t e m b er of t h is y e ar in t e r ms of w h i ch 4 th r e s p o n d e nt is i n s t r u c t ed to r a i se t he a m o u nt of M 1 7 , 6 4 7 . 20 as c o s ts o ut of my p r o p e r ty as c o s ts in C I V / A P N / 1 8 5 / 9 3 ." (I o b s e r
ve t h at t he W a r r a nt of e x e c u t i on A n n e x u re " T M 6" a c t u a l ly r e f l e c ts t he s um of M6 3 1 4 - 49 w h i ch is t he s um a c t u a l ly a l l o w ed by t he T a x i ng M a s t e r .) 1 1. "I w as e x t r e m e ly s h o c k ed to f i nd t h at I w as to p ay s u ch h e a vy c o s t s. I i m m e d i a t e ly w e nt to my a t t o r n e ys w ho p r o m i s ed to m a ke i n v e s t i g a t i o ns 4 / . .. - 4- i n to t he w h o le m a t t er a nd t h e ir f i n d i n gs w e re t h at an a t t o r n ey I h ad e n g a g ed to c o n d u ct t he p r o c e e d i n gs in C I V / A P N / 1 8 5 / 93 h ad n ot a t t e n d ed t he t a x a t i on of t he b i ll of c o s ts on t he d ay he h ad b e en n o t i f i ed to do s o ." 1 2. " A f t er d i s c u s s i ng t h is m a t t er w i th s o me of my c o l l e a g u es I i n s t r u c t ed my a t t o r n e ys to f i le a n o t i ce of r e v i ew of t he 3 rd r e s p o n d e n t 's d e c i s i on in a w a r d i ng c o s ts a g a i n st me w h en my m a t t er in C I V / A P N / 1 8 5 / 93 h ad n e v er b e en d e c i d ed by t he C o u rt of D i s p u t ed R e t u r ns of L e s o t ho w h en l e a ve to w i t h d r aw it h ad b e en r e f u s ed by t he s a me c o u r t. It w as t h e r e a f t er a g r e ed t h at it w o u ld be a p p r o p r i a te to a n g a ge a S e n i or C o u n s el f r om S o u th A f r i ca
to h a n d le t h is c a se on r e v i e w ." I o b s e r ve t h at it w as o n ly on t he 2 3 rd d ay of M ay 1 9 96 t h at t he A p p l i c a n ts h e r e in i n c l u d i ng t he s a id L e k h o o a na J o n a t h an f i l ed an " u r g e n t" a p p l i c a t i on f or an o r d er in t he f o l l o w i ng t e r m s :- " 1. D i s p e n s i ng w i th t he f o r ms a nd p e r i o ds of s e r v i ce of t h is a p p l i c a t i on on t he g r o u n ds of i ts u r g e n c y.
2. T h at t he R u le N i si be i s s u ed c a l l i ng u p on t he R e s p o n d e nt to s h ow c a u s e, if a n y, w hy t he f o l l o w i ng o r d e rs s h o u ld n ot be c o n- f i r m ed a nd m a de a b s o l u te a nd f i n a l. ( a) T he W a r r a n ts of E x e c u t i o ns i s s u ed a g a i n st A p p l i c a n ts in v a r i o us e l e c t i on p e t i t i o ns s h o u ld n ot be s t a y ed p e n d i ng t he f i n al d e t e r m i n a t i on a nd a d j u d i c a t i on of t h is a p p l i c a t i o n. 5 / . .. - 5- (b) T he v a r i o us B i l ls of C o s ts t a x ed a nd a l l o w ed by t he R e g i s t r ar of t h is H o n o u r a b le C o u rt s h o u ld n ot be r e v i e w e d, c o r r e c t ed and s et a s i d e. ( c) T he 1st R e s p o n d e nt s h o u ld n ot be o r d e r ed to p ay t he c o s ts of t h is a p p l i c a t i on on a t t o r n ey and c l i e nt s c a l e.
3. P r a y e rs 1 and 2 ( a) s h o u ld o p e r a te w i th an i m m e d i a te e f f e ct a nd as i n t e r im o r d er of t h is H o n o u r a b le C o u r t.
4. G r a n t i ng s u ch f u r t h er and or a l t e r n a t i ve r e l i ef as t he a b o ve H o n o u r a b le C o u rt m ay d e em f i t ." I t u rn now to d e al w i th t he law and p r o c e d u re r e l a t i ng to c o s ts in t he m a t t er as I c o n c e i ve it to b e. S e c t i on 17 of t he C o u rt of D i s p u t ed R e t u r ns ( N a t i o n al A s s e m b ly E l e c t i on P e t i t i o n) R u l es L e g al N o t i ce N o . 54 of 1 9 93 p r o v i d es in p a r t :- " ( 1) C o s ts of and i n c i d e n t al to t he p r e s e n t a t i on of a p e t i t i on and to t he p r o c e e d i n gs c o n s e- q u e nt t h e r e on s h a ll be p a id by t he p a r t i es in s u ch m a n n er a nd in s u ch p r o p o r t i o ns as t he C o u rt m ay d e t e r m i n e. ( 2) T he C o u rt in m a k i ng an o r d er as to c o s ts m ay - ( a) o r d er any u n s u c c e s s f ul p a r ty to p ay t he c o s ts of a ny o t h er p a r ty or p a r t i e s; or ( b) o r d er any u n s u c c e s s f ul p a r t i es to pay j o i n t ly or s e v e r a l l y, t he c o s ts of a ny o t h er p a r ty or p a r t i e s, 6/... - 6- t he o ne p a y i ng t he o t h er or o t h e rs to be a b s o l v e d, a nd t h at if o ne of t he u n s u c c e s s f ul p a r t i es p a ys m o re t h an h is p ro r a ta s h a re of t he c o s t s, he s h a ll be e n t i t l ed to r e c o v er f r om t he o t h
er u n s u c c e s s f ul p a r ty or p a r t i es h is or t h e ir pro rata s h a re of s u ch e x c e s s. ( 4) C o s ts s h a ll be t a x ed by t he R e g i s t r ar in t he s a me m a n n er as c o s ts a re t a x ed in a c i v il s u it in t he H i gh C o u r t, b ut s u b j e ct to a ny g e n e r al or s p e c i f ic d i r e c t i o ns g i v en by t he C o u r t. C o s ts w h en t a x ed m ay be r e c o v e r ed in t he s a me m a n n er as t he c o s ts of a c i v il s u it in t he H i gh C o u r t ." S e c t i on 19 s p e c i f i c a l ly p r o v i d es t h at " t he R u l es of t he H i gh C o u rt s h a l l, so f ar as t h ey m ay be a p p l i c a b l e, a p p ly to a ny m a t t er f or w h i ch p r o v i s i on is n ot m a de in t h e se R u l e s ." N ow R u le 49 ( 1) of t he H i gh C o u rt R u l es 1 9 80 w h i ch s p e c i f i c a l ly d e a ls w i th " R e v i ew of t a x a t i o n' p r o v i d es as f o l l o w s :- " A ny p a r ty w ho is n ot s a t i s f i ed w i th t he r u l i ng of t he t a x i ng m a s t er as to a ny i t em or p a rt of an i t em w h i ch w as o b j e c t ed to or d i s a l l o w ed m e ro m o tu by t he t a x i ng m a s t er m ay w i t h in f o u r t e en d a ys of t he a l l o c a t ur r e q u i re t he t a x i ng m a s t er to s t a te a c a se f or t he d e c i s i on of a J u d g e, w h i ch c a se s h a ll s et o ut e a ch i t em
or p a rt of an i t em t o g e t h er w i th t he g r o u n ds of o b j e c t i on a d v a n c ed at t he t a x a t i on a nd s h a ll i n c l u de a ny r e l e v a nt f i n d i n gs of f a ct by t he t a x i ng m a s t e r, 7 / . .. - 7- P r o v i d ed t h a t, s a ve w i th t he c o n s e nt of t he t a x i ng m a s t e r, no c a se s h a ll be s t a t ed w h e re t he a m o u n t, or t he t o t al of t he a m o u n t s, w h i ch t he t a x i ng m a s t er h as d i s a l l o w e d, or a l l o w e d, as t he c a se m ay b e, a nd w h i ch t he p a r ty d i s s a t i s f i ed s e e ks to h a ve a l l o w ed or d i s a l l o w ed r e s p e c t i v e l y, is l e ss t h an t en r a n d ." It s e e ms to me t h at t he w o r ds " an i t em w h i ch w as o b j e c t ed t o" a re n ot j u st e m p ty w o r ds b ut w e re c l e a r ly i n t e n d ed to l ay d o wn a p r e r e q u i s i te f or r e v i ew of t a x a t i on n a m e ly t h at t h e re m u st f i r st be an o b j e c t i on r a i s ed b e f o re t he T a x i ng M a s t er in r e s p e ct of t he a f f e c t ed i t e m. T he r e a s on f or t h is is n ot h a rd to f i nd as it is t r i te l aw t h at t a x a t i on of c o s ts is p r e- e m i n e n t ly a m a t t er f or t he d i s c r e t i on of t he T a x i ng M a s t e r. In f a ct R u le 56 ( 3) of t he H i gh C o u rt R u l es m a k es t h is a b u n d a n t ly c l
e ar in u n e q u i v o c al t e r ms as f o l l o w s :- " T he t a x i ng m a s t er s h a ll a l l ow s u ch c o s t s, c h a r g e s, e x p e n s e s, a nd d i s b u r s e m e n ts a s, in h is o p i n i on a p p e ar to h im to h a ve p r o p er ( s i c) or n e c e s s a ry f or t he a t t a i n m e nt of j u s t i ce or f or d e f e n d i ng t he r i g h ts of a ny p a r ty b u t, s a ve as a g a i n st t he p a r ty w ho h as i n c u r r ed t he s a m e, no c o s ts s h a ll be a l l o w ed w h i c h, in t he o p i n i on of t he t a x i ng m a s t e r, w e re i n c u r r ed t h r o u gh o v e r - c a u t i o n, n e g l i g e n ce or by m i s t a ke or by u n u s u al d i s b u r s e m e n t s ." R o s e n ow J. in i n t e r p r e t i ng a s u b s t a n t i a l ly s i m i l ar S o u th A f r i c an S e c t i on as t he a b o ve m e n t i o n ed R u le 56 ( 3) of t he H i gh C o u rt R u l es h ad t h is to s ay in P h i ri v N o r t h e rn A s s u r a n ce Co:, 1 9 62 ( 4) S . A. 2 84 at 2 85 :- 8 / . .. - 8- " T he d i s c r e t i on to d e c i de w h at c o s ts h a ve b e en n e c e s s a r i ly or p r o p e r ly i n c u r r ed is g i v en to t he t a x i ng m a s t er a nd n ot to t he c o u r t. T he c o u rt c an t h e r e f o re o n ly i n t e r f e re w h e re t he t a x i ng m a s t er h as e x e r c i s ed h is d i s c r e t i on i m p r o p e r l y, on t he b
a s is w e ll e s t a b l i s h ed in r e l a t i on to m a t t e rs c o m i ng b e f o re a c o u rt on r e v i e w ." W i th r e s p e ct I e n t i r e ly a g r ee a nd it is u p on t h is b a s is t h at I a p p r o a ch t he m a t t er p l a c ed b e f o re m e. As e a r l i er i n d i c a t ed t he a p p l i c a n ts d id n ot o b j e ct to a ny of t he i t e ms of t he b i l ls of c o s ts p r e s e n t ed to t he t a x i ng m a s t e r. I am p r e p a r ed t h e r e f o re to h o ld t h at t h e ir r e v i ew a p p l i- c a t i on is i r r e g u l ar a nd c o n t r a ry to R u le 49 ( 1) of t he H i gh C o u rt R u l es as a f o r e s a i d. N or d o es t he m a t t er e nd t h e r e. In t e r ms of R u le 49 ( 1) of t he H i gh C o u rt R u l es t he a p p l i c a n ts w e re f u r t h er o b l i g ed to " r e q u i re t he t a x i ng m a s t er to s t a te a c a se f or t he d e c i s i on of a j u d g e" w i t h in f o u r t e en d a ys of t he a l l o c a t ur if t h ey w e re n ot s a t i s f i ed w i th t he r u l i ng of t he t a x i ng m a s t e r. T he s a id R u le f u r t h er p r o v i d es in m a n d a t o ry t e r ms t h at t he s t a t ed c a se s h a ll s et o ut e a ch i t em or p a rt of an i t em t o g e t h er w i th t he g r o u n ds of o b j e c t i on a d v a n c ed at t he t a x a t i on a nd s h a ll i n c l u de a ny r e r e v a nt f i n d i n
gs of f a ct by t he t a x i ng m a s t e r. It is c o m m on 9 / . .. - 9- c a u se t h at n o ne of t h e se p r e r e q u i s i t es w e re o b s e r v ed by t he a p p l i c a n ts in t h is m a t t er a nd t he R u le in q u e s t i on h as b e en b l a t a n t ly i g n o r e d. N or is t h e re any s l i g h t e st e x p l a n a t i on f u r n i s h ed f or t he n on o b s e r v a n ce of t he R u le in q u e s t i o n. W o r se s t i ll t h e re is no a p p l i c a t i on f or c o n d o n a t i on of t he l a te f i l i ng of r e v i ew b e y o nd t he f o u r t e en d a ys of t he a l l o c a t ur in t e r ms of t he a f o r e s a id R u l e. It is c o r r e ct t h at in a p r o p er c a se t he c o u rt is q u i te e n t i t l ed to c o n d o ne n on o b s e r v a n ce of t he R u l es of C o u rt i n c l u d i ng t i me l i m i t a t i o n s. T he H i gh C o u rt d o es h a ve i n h e r e nt j u r i s d i c t i o ns in t h at r e g a r d. In my j u d g m e n t, h o w e v e r, c o n d o- n a t i on is n ot j u st t h e re f or t he t a k i n g. I c o n s i d er t h at in t he s p e c i al c i r c u m s t a n c es of t he c a se b e f o re me t he a p p l i c a n ts o u g ht to h a ve m a de a s u b s t a n t i ve a p p l i c a t i on f or c o n d o n a t i on to d e al w i th and e x p l a i n, i n t er a l i a, n on c o m p l i a n ce w i th t he R u l es of C o u r
t, t he d e g r ee of s u ch non c o m p l i a n c e, p r o s p e c ts of s u c c e s s, c o n v e n i e n ce of t he c o u r t, t he m a g n i t u de of t he c a s e, t he q u e s t i on of t he a v o i d a n ce of u n n e c e s s a ry d e l ay in t he a d m i n i s t r a t i on of j u s t i ce and t h at t h e re s h o u ld be f i n a l i ty to l i t i g a t i on ( t he l i st is n ot e x h a u s t i v e ). S ee L e r i be P o u l ty C o o p e r a t i ve S o c i e ty v M i n i s t er of A g r i c u l t u re a nd 2 o t h e rs C of A ( C I V) N o. 13 of 1991 in w h i ch A c k e r m an J. A. r e f e r r e d, w i th a p p r o v a l, to t he c a se of F e d e r a t ed E m p l o y e r s' I n s u r a n ce C o. v M c k e n z ie 1 9 69 ( 3) S . A. 3 60 ( A) at 3 62 G. I r e s p e c t f u l ly a d o pt t he p r i n c i p le e n u n c i a t ed in t h o se c a s e s. In M i c h a el M t h e m bu v L e s o t ho B u i l d i ng F i n a n ce C o r p o r a t i on C of A ( C i v) N o. 4 of 1 9 84 S c h u tz P. q u o t ed w i th a p p r o v al M u l l er J A 's r e m a r ks in P . E. B o s m an T r a n s p o rt W o r ks C o m m i t t ee a nd o t h e rs v P i et B o s m an T r a n s p o rt ( P t y) L t d. 1 9 80 ( 4) S. A. 7 94 ( A) at 7 97 F to t he f o l l o w i ng e f f e c t :- 1 0 / . .. - 1 0- " In a c a se s u ch as t he p r e s e nt t h e re h as b e en a f l a g r a nt b r e a ch of t
he R u l es of C o u rt in m o re t h an o ne r e s p e c t, a nd w h e re in a d d i t i on t h e re is no a c c e p t a b le e x p l a n a t i on f or s o me p e r i o ds of d e l ay a n d, i n d e e d, in r e s p e ct of o t h er p e r i o ds of d e l a y, no e x p l a n a t i on at a l l, t he a p p l i c a t i on s h o u l d, in my o p i n i o n, n ot be g r a n t ed w h a t e v er t he p r o s p e c ts m ay b e ." W i th r e s p e ct I f i nd t h at t h e se w o r ds a re a p p o s i te to t he c a se b e f o re me a nd I r e s p e c t f u l ly a d o pt t h em h e r e i n. T h e re h as b e en a c o m p l e te f a i l u re to c o m p ly w i th a ny of t he p r o v i s i o ns of R u le 49 ( 1) of t he H i gh C o u rt R u l es as a f o r e s a i d. N or h as t h e re b e en a ny a t t e m pt w h a t s o e v er to i d e n t i fy a ny of t he p e r c e i v ed o b j e c t i o n a b le i t e ms in t he b i l ls of c o s ts t a x ed by t he T a x i ng M a s t e r. T he C o u rt is e x p e c t ed to h a z a rd a g u e ss in t h at r e g a r d. T h is is t o t a l ly u n a c c e p t a b l e, to s ay t he l e a s t. In t he c i r c u m s t a n c es I w o u ld d i s m i ss t h is a p p l i c a t i on f or n on c o m p l i a n ce w i th R u le 49 ( 1) of t he H i gh C o u rt R u l es as a f o r e s a id a nd on t he g r o u nd t h at t h e re is no a p p l i c a t i on f or c o n d o
n a t i on b e f o re m e. T he a p p l i c a n ts t h en c o m p l a in t h at t h ey w e re n ot a w a re t h at t he v a r i o us b i l ls of c o s ts c o n c e r n ed w e re t a x ed a g a i n st t h em s i n ce t h ey w e re s e r v ed on t h e ir " p r e v i o us a t t o r n e y" w h om t h ey h ad a l l e g e d ly " d i s m i s s ed d u r i ng t he p r o c e e d i n g s" ( s ee p a r a- g r a ph 7 of t he f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v it of E v e r i s t us R. S e k h o n y a n a ). M r. M p h a l a ne w ho a p p e a r ed f or t he a p p l i c a n ts i n i t i a l ly persisted w i th t h is l i ne of a r g u m e nt u n t il he w as s o on d r i v en to c o n c e d e, 1 1 / . .. - 1 1- q u i te p r o p e r ly in my v i ew in t he c i r c u m s t a n c es of t he c a s e, t h at t he s a id b i l ls of c o s ts w e re p r o p e r ly s e r v ed on M r. N t l h o ki w ho up to t h at s t a ge w as s t i ll t he a t t o r n ey of r e c o rd f or t he a p p l i c a n t s. I am p r e p a r ed to a c c e pt t he v e r s i on of t he r e s p o n d e n ts in t h is r e g a rd as d e p o s ed to in p a r a g r a ph 15 of t he o p p o s i ng a f f i d a v it of T s o k o lo M a k h e t he in as m u ch as it is s u p p o r t ed by t he a f o r e s a id j u d g m e nt of C i l l i n an C . J. It is q u i te c l e ar f r om t he s a id j u d g m e n t, as I r e ad i t, t h at a l t h o
u gh M r. N t l h o ki t r i ed h is l e v el b e st to w i t h d r aw as a t t o r n ey f or t he p e t i t i o n e rs in t he m a t t er at no s t a ge d id t he c o u rt e v er g r a nt h im l e a ve to do s o. W h at is m o r e, he n e v er s e r v ed a ny n o t i ce of w i t h d r a w al u p on t he r e s p o n d e n ts n or d id he e v er f i le o ne w i th t he c o u r t. I o b s e r ve t h at e v en in t he s a id j u d g m e nt of C u l l i n an C . J. he is i n d i c a t ed as a p p e a r i ng f or t he p e t i t i o n e r s. In t he c i r c u m s t a n c es t h e r e- f o re I c o n c l u de t h at t he b i l ls of c o s ts in t h is m a t t er w e re p r o p e r ly s e r v ed u p on a p p l i c a n t s' a t t o r n ey w ho h ad no o b j e c t i on t h e r e to a nd t h at t h ey c a n n ot be h e a rd to c o m p l a i n. F i n a l ly t he A p p l i c a n ts f u r t h er c o m p l a in t h at o n ly o ne B i ll of c o s ts s h o u ld h a ve b e en t a x ed a g a i n st t h em in as m u ch as t h ey w e re o r d e r ed to p ay c o s ts to t he A t t o r n e y - G e n e r al j o i n t ly a nd s e v e r a l ly a nd t h at t he p e t i t i o ns w e re c o n s o l i d a t ed a nd h e a rd t o g e t h e r. I c o n s i d er t h at t h e re is no m e r it at a ll in t h is c o m p l a i n t. In t e r ms of t he o r d er of c o u rt t he A t t o r n e y- G e n e r al w as e n
t i t l ed to r e c o v er c o s ts a g a i n st t he a p p l i c a n ts e i t h er j o i n t ly or s e v e r a l l y. He c o u ld do so by p r e p a r i ng o ne b i ll of c o s ts or i n d i v i d u al b i l ls as l o ng as he c l a i m ed w h at w as d ue to h i m. T he r e al q u e s t i on to be d e t e r m i n ed i s, as I see. i t, w h e t h er o ne s e r v i ce w as p e r f o r m ed 1 2 / . .. - 1 2- or m o re t h an o ne s e r v i c e. S ee In re L u b be 1 9 64 ( 1) S . A. 8 55 T. T he d i f f i c u l ty t h at t he a p p l i c a n ts f a ce in t h is a p p l i c a t i on is t h at t h ey do n ot s h ow t h at t he A t t o r n e y - G e n e r al w as p e r f o r m i ng o n ly o ne s e r v i c e. F or my p a rt I c a n n ot b ut i m a g i ne t h at he w o u ld h a ve c e r t a i n ly p e r f o r m ed m o re t h an o ne s e r v i ce r e g a rd b e i ng h ad to t he f a ct t h at he f e a t u r ed as a r e s p o n d e nt in e a ch of t he t w e n t y - e i g ht d i f f e r e nt p e t i t i o ns f r om t w e n t y- e i g ht d i f f e r e nt C o n s t i t u e n c i e s. In a ny e v e nt if it is t he a p p l i c a n t s' c a se t h at t h e re w as u n n e c e s s a ry d u p l i c a t i on of c o s ts I o b s e r ve t h at in law t h at is p r i m a r i ly t he f u n c t i on of t he t a x i ng m a s t er and n ot t he c o u r t. s ee S i l b er v S i l b er 1 9 64 ( 3) S .
A. 4 73 ( T) at 4 7 6. It h as n ot b e en s h o wn t h at t he t a x i ng m a s t er e x e r c i s ed h is d i s c r e t i on i m p r o p e r l y. In t he c i r c u m s t a n c es t he c o u rt d e c l i n es to i n t e r f e re w i th h is d i s c r e t i o n. In c o n c l u s i on I t h i nk t h e re is m e r it in M r. M a k h e t h e 's s u b m i s s i on t h at t h is a p p l i c a t i on is an a b u se of c o u rt p r o c e ss a i m ed at d e l ay and f r u s t r a t i ng t he A t t o r n e y - G e n e r al f r om e n j o y i ng t he f r u i ts of t he j u d g m e nt of t he C o u rt of D i s p u t ed R e t u r ns of L e s o t h o. I r e s p e c t f u l ly d i s c e rn t he n e ed to r e p r o d u ce t he r e m a r ks of C u l l i n an CJ in h is j u d g m e nt in t he C o u rt of D i s p u t ed R e t u r ns as t h ey t e ll t he w h o le s t o r y :- "I am d r a wn to t he i n e v i t a b le c o n c l u s i on t h e r e f o re t h at t h e se p e t i t i o ns w e re f i l ed s o l e ly as a m a t t er 1 3 / . .. - 1 3- of p o l i t i c al e x p e d i e n cy a nd t h at t h e r e a f t er f u ll p o l i t i c al c a p i t al w as m a de of M r. M p i t i 's u n s u s p e c t i ng a nd b o na f i de e f f o r ts to a s s i st t he C o u rt by e x t r a c t i ng t he r e l e v a nt d o c u m e n t s, c u l m i n a t i ng in t he H i gh C o u r t 's r e f u s a l, on a j u
r i s d i c t i o n al b a s i s, to i n t e r v e n e, t h us p r e s e n t i ng t he p e t i t i o n e rs w i th a t i m e ly j u s t i f i c a t i on f or w i t h d r a w a l, in t he i l l - a d v i s ed b e l i ef t h at w i t h d r a w al w as a m a t t er f or t he p e t i t i o n e r s' d i s c r e t i o n. T h e r e a f t e r, r a t h er t h an p u r s ue t h e ir a l l e g ed g r i e v a n c es b e f o re t he C o u r t, t he p e t i t i o n e rs o p p o s ed e v e ry e f f o rt of t he C o u rt to i n v e s t i- g a te s u ch g r i e v a n c e s. On 2 nd J u n e, w h en t he C o u rt r e l u c t a n t ly g r a n t ed an a d j o u r n m e nt f or f i ve d a y s, t he C o u r t, e v en at t h at s t a g e, o b s e r v ed t h at it w as " b e i ng t r e a t ed in a c a v a l i er m a n n e r ." am n ow c o n v i n c ed t h at m a t t e rs c an be t a k en f u r t h er a nd t h at t he p r o c e ss of t h is C o u r t, t he f i r st S e s s i on of a F u ll B e n ch of t he C o u rt of D i s p u t ed R e t u r n s, h as b e en b l a t a n t ly a b u s ed f or p o l i t i c al p u r p o s e s, d i s p l a y i ng on t he p a rt of t he p e t i t i o n e rs a c y n i c al d i s r e g a rd f or t he a d m i n i s t r a t i on of j u s t i c e ." I T h is C o u rt is 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 a p p l i c a n t s' d e l a y i ng t a c t i cs a re s t i ll c o n t i n u i ng to d a te as m a n i f e s t ed in t h is a p p l i c a t i o n. In a ll t he c i r c u m s t a n c es of t he c a se as o u t l i n ed a b o ve I w o u ld d i s m i ss t he a p p l i c a t i on a nd d i s c h a r ge t he r u le w i th c o s ts a nd it is so o r d e r e d. M . M. R A M O D I B E DI
A C T I NG J U D GE F OR A P P L I C A N TS : F OR R E S P O N D E N T S: M r. M p h a l a ne M r. M a k h e t he
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