Investec Property (Pty) Limited v China City Limpopo (Pty) Limited and Others (2168/2020) [2020] ZALMPPHC 35 (19 June 2020)

Investec Property (Pty) Limited v China City Limpopo (Pty) Limited and Others (2168/2020) [2020] ZALMPPHC 35 (19 June 2020)

The court found that the First Respondent was in breach of the sub-lease agreement by conducting retail activities on property zoned 'Industrial 1', which is prohibited by the applicable town planning scheme and SPLUMA. The lease and sub-lease agreements were lawfully cancelled due to these breaches. The First...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2020] ZALMPPHC 35
Parties
Applicant: Investec Property (Pty) Limited; Respondent: China City Limpopo (Pty) Limited; Respondent: Devland Cash and Carry (Pty) Limited; Respondent: Polokwane Municipality
Court
Limpopo High Court, Polokwane
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Case Number
2168/2020
Procedural Posture
Urgent Application / Final Judgment
Outcome
Application granted. Declaratory, interdictory, eviction, and mandamus orders issued against the First and Third Respondents. Costs awarded against the First Respondent.
Judges
EM Makgoba
Legal Topics
Zoning Scheme Enforcement, Eviction, Municipal Bylaws, Mandamus, Occupational Health and Safety, Lease Cancellation
Land and Property Civil Procedure Administrative Law Zoning Scheme Enforcement Eviction Municipal Bylaws Mandamus Occupational Health and Safety +1 more

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Parties

Investec Property (Pty) Limited

Applicant

China City Limpopo (Pty) Limited

Respondent

Devland Cash and Carry (Pty) Limited

Respondent

Polokwane Municipality

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Urgent Application / Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the First Respondent is in breach of the sub-lease agreement.
  2. 2 Whether the main lease agreement and the sub-lease were lawfully cancelled by the Applicant.
  3. 3 Whether the Applicant is entitled to evict the First Respondent from the subject property.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the First Respondent was in breach of the sub-lease agreement by conducting retail activities on property zoned 'Industrial 1', which is prohibited by the applicable town planning scheme and SPLUMA. The lease and sub-lease agreements were lawfully cancelled due to these breaches. The First Respondent's continued occupation was unlawful, warranting eviction. The Applicant demonstrated a clear right to interdictory and mandamus relief, as the contraventions of planning and health and safety legislation posed ongoing harm and risk. The court rejected the Respondent's argument regarding disputes of fact, finding the matter resolvable on the papers. The Municipality was...

Court Disposition

Application granted. Declaratory, interdictory, eviction, and mandamus orders issued against the First and Third Respondents. Costs awarded against the First Respondent.

Orders

  • It is declared that the lease agreement between the Applicant and Second Respondent dated 24 April 2013 is cancelled.
  • It is declared that the sub-lease agreement between the First and Second Respondents dated 21 February 2014 is cancelled.