Growthpoint Properties Ltd v South Africa Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) and Others (6467/2010) [2010] ZAKZDHC 38; 2011 (1) BCLR 81 (KZD) ; [2011] 1 All SA 537 (KZD) ; (2010) 31 ILJ 2539 (KZD) (3 September 2010)

Growthpoint Properties Ltd v South Africa Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) and Others (6467/2010) [2010] ZAKZDHC 38; 2011 (1) BCLR 81 (KZD) ; [2011] 1 All SA 537 (KZD) ; (2010) 31 ILJ 2539 (KZD) (3 September 2010)

The Court held that while SACCAWU and its members have constitutional rights to picket, demonstrate, and bargain collectively, these rights are not absolute and must be balanced against the property, trade, and environmental rights of Growthpoint and its tenants. The evidence showed that the noise created by the...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2010] ZAKZDHC 38
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 Dis-Chem Pharmacies (Pty) Limited 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
The rule nisi was amended and confirmed. The respondents were ordered to cease committing a nuisance by making loud noise at the entrances to La Lucia Mall. The South African Police Services were authorised to assist in enforcement. Costs were awarded against the respondents.
Judges
Pillay D
Legal Topics
Protected Strike, Picketing Rules, Nuisance, Constitutional Rights Balancing, Freedom of Expression, Interdict
Labour Law Civil Procedure Delict Protected Strike Picketing Rules Nuisance Constitutional Rights Balancing Freedom of Expression +1 more

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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 Dis-Chem Pharmacies (Pty) Limited 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?
  2. 2 Does the High Court have jurisdiction over a dispute involving picketing and noise in the context of a protected strike?
  3. 3 Does the property owner have locus standi to seek relief against employees of its tenant?

Ratio Decidendi

The Court held that while SACCAWU and its members have constitutional rights to picket, demonstrate, and bargain collectively, these rights are not absolute and must be balanced against the property, trade, and environmental rights of Growthpoint and its tenants. The evidence showed that the noise created by the picketers was excessive, persistent, and intolerable, causing prejudice to businesses and the public. The Court found no proof that the respondents committed an offence under municipal bylaws or breached picketing rules, but the level of noise constituted an unjustifiable limitation on the rights of the property owner and tenants. The Court confirmed the rule nisi, ordering the...

Court Disposition

The rule nisi was amended and confirmed. The respondents were ordered to cease committing a nuisance by making loud noise at the entrances to La Lucia Mall. The South African Police Services were authorised to assist in enforcement. Costs were awarded against the 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.