Growthpoint Properties Limited v South Africa Commercial Catering And Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) and Others (6467/2010) [2010] ZAKZDHC 85 (3 September 2010)

Growthpoint Properties Limited v South Africa Commercial Catering And Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) and Others (6467/2010) [2010] ZAKZDHC 85 (3 September 2010)

The High Court found that it had jurisdiction to hear the matter as the applicant's cause of action was based on common law nuisance and constitutional rights to property, trade, and a healthy environment. Growthpoint had locus standi as the property owner. The respondents' rights to picket, freedom of expression,...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2010] ZAKZDHC 85
Parties
Applicant: Growthpoint Properties Limited; Respondent: South Africa Commercial Catering And Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU); Respondent: Dis-Chem Pharmacies (Pty) Limited; Respondent: Makhosi Zondo & the other employees of the second respondent listed on Annexure A to the founding affidavit
Court
Kwazulu-Natal High Court, Durban
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Case Number
6467/2010
Procedural Posture
Urgent Application / Application to Confirm a Rule Nisi (interim Interdict)
Outcome
Rule nisi confirmed and amended; interdict granted against further respondents to cease committing nuisance by making loud noise at La Lucia Mall entrances; costs awarded against further respondents.
Judges
Dhaya Pillay
Legal Topics
Protected Strike, Picketing Rules, Nuisance, Balancing of Rights, Interim Interdict, Freedom of Expression
Labour Law Civil Procedure Delict Protected Strike Picketing Rules Nuisance Balancing of Rights Interim Interdict +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 6 Authorities cited 19 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Growthpoint Properties Limited

Applicant

South Africa Commercial Catering And Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU)

Respondent

Dis-Chem Pharmacies (Pty) Limited

Respondent

Makhosi Zondo & the other employees of the second respondent listed on Annexure A to the founding affidavit

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Urgent Application / Application to Confirm a Rule Nisi (interim Interdict)

  1. 1 Does noisy picketing by striking employees in a shopping mall constitute a legal nuisance warranting an interdict.
  2. 2 Does the High Court have jurisdiction over a dispute arising from picketing during a protected strike.
  3. 3 Does the property owner have locus standi to seek relief against employees of its tenant.

Ratio Decidendi

The High Court found that it had jurisdiction to hear the matter as the applicant's cause of action was based on common law nuisance and constitutional rights to property, trade, and a healthy environment. Growthpoint had locus standi as the property owner. The respondents' rights to picket, freedom of expression, and collective bargaining were not absolute and had to be balanced against the applicant's rights. The evidence showed that the noise created by the picketers was excessive, persistent, and intolerable, causing prejudice to tenants and the public and resulting in loss of business. The respondents had not committed any criminal offence under municipal by-laws, but their conduct...

Court Disposition

Rule nisi confirmed and amended; interdict granted against further respondents to cease committing nuisance by making loud noise at La Lucia Mall entrances; costs awarded against further respondents.

Orders

  • The further respondents are ordered to cease forthwith committing a nuisance at the premises of La Lucia Mall by shouting, chanting loudly, ululating or using any kind of instrument or object with which to make any loud noise in the vicinity of any of the entrances to La Lucia Mall at 90 William Campbell Drive, La...
  • The South African Police Services are authorised to assist in the enforcement of this order.