Durban University of Technology v Godlimpi and Others (D1411/2019) [2020] ZAKZDHC 66 (22 December 2020)

Durban University of Technology v Godlimpi and Others (D1411/2019) [2020] ZAKZDHC 66 (22 December 2020)

The court found that the applicant had established the requirements for a final interdict: a clear right to protect its property, staff, and students; injury in the form of violence, property damage, and disruption; and no alternative remedy, as security and police intervention had failed. The respondents'...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2020] ZAKZDHC 66
Parties
Applicant: Durban University of Technology; Respondent: Sesiyanda Godlimpi; Respondent: Thabo Mkhwelanga; Respondent: Hlengiwe Khuzwayo; Respondent: Musa Mbonambi; Respondent: Phumlani Sithole; Respondent: Linda Ndlovu; Respondent: Wandile Dladla; Respondent: Wendy Machi; Respondent: Ntuthuko Nxumalo; Respondent: Sibusiso Zuma; Respondent: Nondumiso Mfusi; Respondent: Emihle Zibonele; Respondent: Phelelisiwe Ngcobo; Respondent: Ziningi Ngwabi; Respondent: Lindani Zungu; Respondent: Thembelani Thobani Ntuli; Respondent: The Student Representative Council DUT; Respondent: Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command; Respondent: South African Students Congress (SASCO); Respondent: National Students' Movement (NAMSO); Respondent: Remaining Registered Students; Respondent: South African Police Services
Court
Kwazulu-Natal High Court, Durban
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Case Number
D1411/2019
Procedural Posture
Urgent Application / Final Determination of Opposed Urgent Application for Confirmation of Interim Interdict
Outcome
Final interdict granted; rule nisi confirmed; each party to pay their own costs.
Judges
Henriques
Legal Topics
Final Interdict, Right to Protest, Limitation of Rights, Campus Security, Regulation of Gatherings Act, Costs in Constitutional Matters
Constitutional Law Civil Procedure Land and Property Final Interdict Right to Protest Limitation of Rights Campus Security Regulation of Gatherings Act +1 more

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Parties

Durban University of Technology

Applicant

Sesiyanda Godlimpi

Respondent

Thabo Mkhwelanga

Respondent

Hlengiwe Khuzwayo

Respondent

Musa Mbonambi

Respondent

Phumlani Sithole

Respondent

Linda Ndlovu

Respondent

Wandile Dladla

Respondent

Wendy Machi

Respondent

Ntuthuko Nxumalo

Respondent

Sibusiso Zuma

Respondent

Nondumiso Mfusi

Respondent

Emihle Zibonele

Respondent

Phelelisiwe Ngcobo

Respondent

Ziningi Ngwabi

Respondent

Lindani Zungu

Respondent

Thembelani Thobani Ntuli

Respondent

The Student Representative Council DUT

Respondent

Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command

Respondent

South African Students Congress (SASCO)

Respondent

National Students' Movement (NAMSO)

Respondent

Remaining Registered Students

Respondent

South African Police Services

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Urgent Application / Final Determination of Opposed Urgent Application for Confirmation of Interim Interdict

  1. 1 Has the applicant established the requirements for a final interdict.
  2. 2 Does the relief sought unjustifiably infringe the respondents' constitutional rights to protest and freedom of expression.
  3. 3 Is the perimeter restriction of 150 metres from the applicant's premises reasonable and justifiable.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the applicant had established the requirements for a final interdict: a clear right to protect its property, staff, and students; injury in the form of violence, property damage, and disruption; and no alternative remedy, as security and police intervention had failed. The respondents' opposition was largely bare denials and did not meaningfully challenge the factual matrix. The relief sought did not infringe constitutional rights to protest or freedom of expression, as it was limited to preventing unlawful conduct and did not prohibit peaceful protest or attendance at lectures. The perimeter restriction of 150 metres was found to be reasonable and justifiable in the...

Court Disposition

Final interdict granted; rule nisi confirmed; each party to pay their own costs.

Orders

  • The first to eighth and sixteenth to eighteenth respondents are granted condonation for the late filing of their heads of argument and practice note.
  • The rule nisi granted by consent on 21 February 2019 is confirmed, save that each party is directed to pay their own costs occasioned by the application.