Member of the Executive Council for the Department of Public Works v Mathew and Others (1290/2020) [2022] ZAECMHC 30 (23 August 2022)

Member of the Executive Council for the Department of Public Works v Mathew and Others (1290/2020) [2022] ZAECMHC 30 (23 August 2022)

The court found that the provincial government is the registered owner of Erf 308, Mthatha, and the applicant is entitled to seek eviction of the respondents, who occupy the property without legal right or consent. The respondents failed to establish any protected occupational rights, either through donation,...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2022] ZAECMHC 30
Parties
Applicant: Member of the Executive Council for the Department of Public Works; Respondent: Mr Mathew; Respondent: Mr Joseph; Respondent: Mr Ngozi; Respondent: Unidentified Illegal Occupants of Erf 308 Mthatha; Respondent: Combined Community School
Court
Eastern Cape High Court, Mthatha
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Case Number
1290/2020
Procedural Posture
Review Application / Judgment After Opposed Application and Counter Application
Outcome
Application for eviction granted; counter-application dismissed.
Judges
Majiki
Legal Topics
Eviction, Title Deed Rectification, Delegation of State Land, Acquisitive Prescription, Administrative Action Review
Land and Property Civil Procedure Eviction Title Deed Rectification Delegation of State Land Acquisitive Prescription Administrative Action Review

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Parties

Member of the Executive Council for the Department of Public Works

Applicant

Mr Mathew

Respondent

Mr Joseph

Respondent

Mr Ngozi

Respondent

Unidentified Illegal Occupants of Erf 308 Mthatha

Respondent

Combined Community School

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Review Application / Judgment After Opposed Application and Counter Application

  1. 1 Whether the applicant is entitled to evict the respondents from Erf 308, Mthatha.
  2. 2 Whether the provincial government is the lawful owner of the property.
  3. 3 Whether the respondents have any protected occupational rights to the property.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the provincial government is the registered owner of Erf 308, Mthatha, and the applicant is entitled to seek eviction of the respondents, who occupy the property without legal right or consent. The respondents failed to establish any protected occupational rights, either through donation, delegation, or prescription. The alleged donation to the municipality was not validly effected or registered, and SAPO's purported grant of occupational rights was not substantiated. The rectification of the title deed and transfer to the provincial government were lawful and did not constitute administrative action subject to review. The respondents' counter-application was brought...

Court Disposition

Application for eviction granted; counter-application dismissed.

Orders

  • The respondents and all other persons in occupation of Erf 308, Mthatha are ordered to vacate the premises within thirty (30) days of the order.
  • If the respondents fail, refuse, or neglect to vacate, the sheriff, assisted by SAPS and the applicant's security, is authorised to evict them and any other persons found on the property.