ALFS Tippers CC v Baloyi and Others (2020/19556) [2023] ZAGPJHC 1177 (27 September 2023)

ALFS Tippers CC v Baloyi and Others (2020/19556) [2023] ZAGPJHC 1177 (27 September 2023)

The court held that the obligation to discover under Rule 35 is not limited to personal possession but extends to documents under a party's control or power. Mapasa, as CEO of Basil Read, has access and control over the requested documents and is therefore obliged to discover them. The remaining respondents failed...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2023] ZAGPJHC 1177
Parties
Applicant: ALF'S Tippers CC; Respondent: Paul Cambo Baloyi; Respondent: Darryll John Castle; Respondent: Shammy Arewanga Luvhengo; Respondent: Claudia Estelle Manning; Respondent: Khathutshelo Mapasa; Respondent: Andiswa Thandeka Ndoni; Respondent: Tshegofatso Sefolo
Court
South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Case Number
2020/19556
Procedural Posture
Civil Application / Application to Compel Discovery Under Rule 35(7)
Outcome
Application to compel discovery granted; costs awarded on party and party scale.
Judges
P V Ternent
Legal Topics
Discovery Affidavit, Rule 35, Director Liability, Business Rescue, Document Control
Civil Procedure Commercial and Corporate Discovery Affidavit Rule 35 Director Liability Business Rescue Document Control

Source-derived case record

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Parties

ALF'S Tippers CC

Applicant

Paul Cambo Baloyi

Respondent

Darryll John Castle

Respondent

Shammy Arewanga Luvhengo

Respondent

Claudia Estelle Manning

Respondent

Khathutshelo Mapasa

Respondent

Andiswa Thandeka Ndoni

Respondent

Tshegofatso Sefolo

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Application / Application to Compel Discovery Under Rule 35(7)

  1. 1 Whether the fifth respondent (Mapasa) is obliged to discover documents under Rule 35(3) relating to Basil Read Limited.
  2. 2 Whether the remaining respondents are required to deliver discovery affidavits in terms of Rule 35(1).
  3. 3 Whether possession, control, or power over documents by directors or officers of a company triggers discovery obligations.

Ratio Decidendi

The court held that the obligation to discover under Rule 35 is not limited to personal possession but extends to documents under a party's control or power. Mapasa, as CEO of Basil Read, has access and control over the requested documents and is therefore obliged to discover them. The remaining respondents failed to comply with Rule 35(1) by not delivering proper discovery affidavits, and their reliance on a narrow interpretation of 'possession' was rejected. The court found that the documents sought are relevant to the issues in dispute and that discovery is necessary for a fair hearing. The opposition to discovery was not justified, but the court declined to award punitive costs,...

Court Disposition

Application to compel discovery granted; costs awarded on party and party scale.

Orders

  • The fifth respondent (Mapasa) is to discover specified documents relating to Basil Read Limited for the period 2016 to 2019, including bank statements, tax documentation, financial records, and share register.
  • The first, second, third, fourth, sixth, and seventh respondents are to deliver their discovery affidavits in terms of Rule 35(1).