City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and Others v Nu-Way Housing Development Limited (050803/2022) [2025] ZAGPPHC 691 (27 June 2025)

City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and Others v Nu-Way Housing Development Limited (050803/2022) [2025] ZAGPPHC 691 (27 June 2025)

The Court found that the Municipality's Rule 30 application was filed out of time without any explanation or application for condonation, and thus refused to entertain it. On exception, the Court held that Nu-Way's amended particulars of claim were vague and embarrassing in certain respects, particularly where...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2025] ZAGPPHC 691
Parties
Applicant: City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality; Applicant: Minister of Human Settlement; Applicant: MEC: Gauteng Department of Human Settlements and Public Works; Respondent: Nu-Way Housing Developments (Pty) Limited
Court
North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Case Number
050803/2022
Procedural Posture
Civil Application / Exception and Rule 30 Application
Outcome
The Rule 30 application is dismissed for late filing. Certain grounds of exception by the Municipality succeed, requiring amendment of specified paragraphs. Exceptions by the Minister and MEC are dismissed. Costs follow the result.
Judges
Retief
Legal Topics
Exception Procedure, Vague and Embarrassing Pleading, Statutory Obligations Under Housing Act, Constitutional Damages, Unlawful Occupation, Amendment of Pleadings
Civil Procedure Land and Property Delict Exception Procedure Vague and Embarrassing Pleading Statutory Obligations Under Housing Act Constitutional Damages Unlawful Occupation +1 more

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Downloadable case file Legal principles 4 Authorities cited 16 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality

Applicant

Minister of Human Settlement

Applicant

MEC: Gauteng Department of Human Settlements and Public Works

Applicant

Nu-Way Housing Developments (Pty) Limited

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Application / Exception and Rule 30 Application

  1. 1 Whether the amended particulars of claim are vague and embarrassing and prevent the defendants from pleading.
  2. 2 Whether the plaintiff's claims for compensation and constitutional damages disclose a cause of action.
  3. 3 Whether the late filing of the Municipality's Rule 30 application should be condoned.

Ratio Decidendi

The Court found that the Municipality's Rule 30 application was filed out of time without any explanation or application for condonation, and thus refused to entertain it. On exception, the Court held that Nu-Way's amended particulars of claim were vague and embarrassing in certain respects, particularly where background facts were not clearly distinguished from material facts, making it difficult for the Municipality to plead. The Court accepted that reference to statutory provisions need not be specific if the facts justify reliance, but found that the pleadings lacked clarity in this regard. The exceptions relating to compensation and constitutional damages were dismissed, as the...

Court Disposition

The Rule 30 application is dismissed for late filing. Certain grounds of exception by the Municipality succeed, requiring amendment of specified paragraphs. Exceptions by the Minister and MEC are dismissed. Costs follow the result.

Orders

  • The late filing of the First Defendant’s Rule 30 application is not condoned.
  • The First Defendant is ordered to pay the Plaintiff’s costs occasioned by the Rule 30 application, including the cost of two Counsel if so employed, both taxed on scale C.