Sheriff of the High Court of South Africa, Alberton v Nlapo (53977/2012) [2014] ZAGPPHC 273 (14 April 2014)

Sheriff of the High Court of South Africa, Alberton v Nlapo (53977/2012) [2014] ZAGPPHC 273 (14 April 2014)

The court held that, in terms of rule 46(11) of the Uniform Rules of Court, the sheriff is not required to file a report and application if it results in unnecessary costs. The application was granted only in respect of prayers 1 and 2 of the notice of motion, and the applicant was directed to keep the deposit paid...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2014] ZAGPPHC 273
Parties
Applicant: Sheriff of the High Court of South Africa, Alberton; Respondent: Bhekisisa Nhlapo; Plaintiff: Standard Bank of South Africa; Defendant: Carlostaulo Phuthi
Court
North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Case Number
53977/2012
Procedural Posture
Civil Application / Application Under Rule 46(11) of the Uniform Rules of Court
Outcome
Application granted in part; prayers 1 and 2 of the notice of motion are granted; deposit to be kept in trust; prayers 4, 5, and 6 postponed sine die.
Judges
Janse van Nieuwenhuizen
Legal Topics
Rule 46 Uniform Rules, Sheriff Report, Costs in Application
Civil Procedure Rule 46 Uniform Rules Sheriff Report Costs in Application

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Parties

Sheriff of the High Court of South Africa, Alberton

Applicant

Bhekisisa Nhlapo

Respondent

Standard Bank of South Africa

Plaintiff

Carlostaulo Phuthi

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Application / Application Under Rule 46(11) of the Uniform Rules of Court

  1. 1 Whether the sheriff is required to file a report and application under rule 46(11) of the Uniform Rules of Court.
  2. 2 Whether the incurring of unnecessary costs through such application is justified.

Ratio Decidendi

The court held that, in terms of rule 46(11) of the Uniform Rules of Court, the sheriff is not required to file a report and application if it results in unnecessary costs. The application was granted only in respect of prayers 1 and 2 of the notice of motion, and the applicant was directed to keep the deposit paid by the respondent in trust pending finalisation of the application. Prayers 4, 5, and 6 were postponed sine die. The court relied on the precedent set in Sheriff, Hlabisa and Nongoma v Shobeka, confirming that unnecessary procedural steps and costs should be avoided.

Court Disposition

Application granted in part; prayers 1 and 2 of the notice of motion are granted; deposit to be kept in trust; prayers 4, 5, and 6 postponed sine die.

Orders

  • An order is granted in terms of prayers 1 and 2 of the notice of motion.
  • The applicant is directed to keep on trust the deposit paid by the respondent, pending the finalisation of the application.