Isaac and Others v Tswaing Local Municipality and Others (J221/22) [2022] ZALCJHB 323 (21 November 2022)

Isaac and Others v Tswaing Local Municipality and Others (J221/22) [2022] ZALCJHB 323 (21 November 2022)

The court found that the applicants squandered any urgency by agreeing to a lengthy postponement for settlement discussions, despite being aware of the impending expiry of their fixed-term contracts. The prior judicial finding of urgency did not bind the court indefinitely, especially given the applicants' failure to provide a fresh explanation for urgency as required by law. The applicants did not demonstrate that they would not obtain substantial redress in the normal course. The court emphasized that breach of contract claims in employment do not inherently warrant urgent relief and that the Labour Court should be reluctant to entertain such applications unless exceptional...

Citation
[2022] ZALCJHB 323
Parties
Applicant: Moruti Manoto Isaac; Applicant: Mogoje Ernest Ramotseki; Applicant: Ndongeni Vashty Khamanyane; Respondent: Tswaing Local Municipality; Respondent: Cllr Tshomarelo Piet Januarie; Respondent: Cllr Motseotata Victor Mogudu; Respondent: Cllr Matshidiso Magaret Moreo; Respondent: Cllr Nozemanga Wilheminah Thwane; Respondent: Cllr Ralebatla Levy Tlhagale; Respondent: Cllr Tebogo Jan Sekgelo; Respondent: Cllr Nkagisang Patrick Moleboge; Respondent: Cllr Gisiame David Gaedie; Respondent: Cllr Shuping Joel Kgatitswe; Respondent: Cllr Jacob Papi Molatudi; Respondent: Cllr Salminah Kedumetse Moleleki; Respondent: Cllr Simane Micheal Williams; Respondent: Cllr Thomas Mpho Sehemo; Respondent: Cllr Puseletso Meriam Mokoto; Respondent: Cllr Mamme Emmah Molete; Respondent: Cllr Nkagisang Joseph Molehabangwe; Respondent: Cllr Soret Viljeon; Respondent: Clr Linda Yvonee Taaljard; Respondent: Cllr Joseph Kagiso Mangwejane; Respondent: Cllr Marlize Alison Callghan; Respondent: Cllr Modisaotsile Andrew Molamuagae; Respondent: Cllr Merriam Mmatlala Moruapheko; Respondent: Cllr Kabelo Petrus Mathibe; Respondent: Cllr Nooinyana Rebecca Baitsumedi; Respondent: Cllr Jurie Botha; Respondent: Cclr Ntombizodwa Norah Mahlangu (the Mayor); Respondent: The Speaker: Cllr Modisaotsile Sam Letlakane; Respondent: MEC for the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs: Northwest Province
Court
Labour Court Johannesburg
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Judgment Date
21 November 2022
Case Number
J221/22
Procedural Posture
Urgent Application / Application Struck Off Roll for Lack of Urgency
Outcome
Application struck off the roll for lack of urgency. No order as to costs.
Judges
Nkutha-Nkontwana
Legal Topics
Urgent Application, Breach of Contract, Pre Dismissal Hearing, Fixed Term Employment, Joinder, Unlawful Dismissal
Labour Law Civil Procedure Urgent Application Breach of Contract Pre Dismissal Hearing Fixed Term Employment Joinder Unlawful Dismissal

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Parties

Moruti Manoto Isaac

Applicant

Mogoje Ernest Ramotseki

Applicant

Ndongeni Vashty Khamanyane

Applicant

Tswaing Local Municipality

Respondent

Cllr Tshomarelo Piet Januarie

Respondent

Cllr Motseotata Victor Mogudu

Respondent

Cllr Matshidiso Magaret Moreo

Respondent

Cllr Nozemanga Wilheminah Thwane

Respondent

Cllr Ralebatla Levy Tlhagale

Respondent

Cllr Tebogo Jan Sekgelo

Respondent

Cllr Nkagisang Patrick Moleboge

Respondent

Cllr Gisiame David Gaedie

Respondent

Cllr Shuping Joel Kgatitswe

Respondent

Cllr Jacob Papi Molatudi

Respondent

Cllr Salminah Kedumetse Moleleki

Respondent

Cllr Simane Micheal Williams

Respondent

Cllr Thomas Mpho Sehemo

Respondent

Cllr Puseletso Meriam Mokoto

Respondent

Cllr Mamme Emmah Molete

Respondent

Cllr Nkagisang Joseph Molehabangwe

Respondent

Cllr Soret Viljeon

Respondent

Clr Linda Yvonee Taaljard

Respondent

Cllr Joseph Kagiso Mangwejane

Respondent

Cllr Marlize Alison Callghan

Respondent

Cllr Modisaotsile Andrew Molamuagae

Respondent

Cllr Merriam Mmatlala Moruapheko

Respondent

Cllr Kabelo Petrus Mathibe

Respondent

Cllr Nooinyana Rebecca Baitsumedi

Respondent

Cllr Jurie Botha

Respondent

Cclr Ntombizodwa Norah Mahlangu (the Mayor)

Respondent

The Speaker: Cllr Modisaotsile Sam Letlakane

Respondent

MEC for the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs: Northwest Province

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Urgent Application / Application Struck Off Roll for Lack of Urgency

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the application remains urgent after significant delay and postponement.
  2. 2 Whether the applicants are entitled to urgent relief for alleged breach of contract regarding pre-dismissal hearing.
  3. 3 Whether the issue of urgency is res judicata due to prior judicial pronouncement.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the applicants squandered any urgency by agreeing to a lengthy postponement for settlement discussions, despite being aware of the impending expiry of their fixed-term contracts. The prior judicial finding of urgency did not bind the court indefinitely, especially given the applicants' failure to provide a fresh explanation for urgency as required by law. The applicants did not demonstrate that they would not obtain substantial redress in the normal course. The court emphasized that breach of contract claims in employment do not inherently warrant urgent relief and that the Labour Court should be reluctant to entertain such applications unless exceptional...

Court Disposition

Application struck off the roll for lack of urgency. No order as to costs.

Orders

  • The application is struck off the roll for lack of urgency.
  • There is no order as to costs.