Minister of Social Development, Western Cape Provincial Government and Another v Van Reenen and Another (C634/2022) [2023] ZALCCT 53 (22 August 2023)

Minister of Social Development, Western Cape Provincial Government and Another v Van Reenen and Another (C634/2022) [2023] ZALCCT 53 (22 August 2023)

The appointments of the respondents to the posts of Chief Director: Service Delivery Management and Co-ordination and Chief Director: Social Welfare and Restorative Services were invalid because the selection committees were not lawfully constituted under the Public Service Regulations. The Provincial Minister, who...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2023] ZALCCT 53
Parties
Applicant: Minister of Social Development, Western Cape Provincial Government; Applicant: Premier of the Western Cape Province; Respondent: Annemie Van Reenen; Respondent: Leana Goosen
Court
Labour Court Cape Town
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Case Number
C634/2022
Procedural Posture
Review Application / Judgment
Outcome
The appointments of the respondents were declared invalid but not set aside. Costs were ordered against the applicants in their official capacities.
Judges
BN Conradie
Legal Topics
Principle of Legality, Public Service Regulations, Judicial Review, Just and Equitable Relief
Administrative Law Labour Law Principle of Legality Public Service Regulations Judicial Review Just and Equitable Relief

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 5 Authorities cited 21 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Minister of Social Development, Western Cape Provincial Government

Applicant

Premier of the Western Cape Province

Applicant

Annemie Van Reenen

Respondent

Leana Goosen

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Review Application / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the appointments of the respondents to Chief Director posts were lawful and consistent with the principle of legality.
  2. 2 Whether the selection committees were lawfully constituted under the Public Service Regulations.
  3. 3 Whether the appointments should be set aside or allowed to stand under just and equitable relief.

Ratio Decidendi

The appointments of the respondents to the posts of Chief Director: Service Delivery Management and Co-ordination and Chief Director: Social Welfare and Restorative Services were invalid because the selection committees were not lawfully constituted under the Public Service Regulations. The Provincial Minister, who chaired the committees, was not an employee as required by Regulation 67(1)(a), and in the case of Ms Goosen, the Premier was not the correct executive authority to make the appointment. Despite the invalidity, the court exercised its discretion under section 172(1)(b) of the Constitution not to set aside the appointments, considering the absence of any ulterior motive, the...

Court Disposition

The appointments of the respondents were declared invalid but not set aside. Costs were ordered against the applicants in their official capacities.

Orders

  • It is declared that the appointment of the first respondent into the post of Chief Director: Service Delivery Management and Co-ordination is inconsistent with the principle of legality and invalid.
  • It is declared that the appointment of the second respondent into the post of Chief Director: Social Welfare and Restorative Services is inconsistent with the principle of legality and invalid.