South African Broadcasting Corporation SOC Ltd and Another v Lornavision (Pty) Ltd (49514/2017) [2024] ZAGPJHC 299 (19 March 2024)

South African Broadcasting Corporation SOC Ltd and Another v Lornavision (Pty) Ltd (49514/2017) [2024] ZAGPJHC 299 (19 March 2024)

The court found that the written services agreement between the SABC and Lornavision was declared unlawful and void ab initio, requiring restitution of the full amount paid under the contract. Lornavision failed to file a plea and thus could not oppose the default judgment application. The affidavits of Ms Tladi and...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2024] ZAGPJHC 299
Parties
Applicant: South African Broadcasting Corporation SOC Ltd; Applicant: Special Investigating Unit; Respondent: Lornavision (Pty) Ltd; Plaintiff: South African Broadcasting Corporation SOC Ltd; Plaintiff: Special Investigating Unit; Defendant: Lornavision (Pty) Ltd; Defendant: James Aguma
Court
South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Case Number
49514/2017
Procedural Posture
Default Judgment Application / Application for Default Judgment Following Withdrawal of Upliftment of Bar; Main Action Pending Against Other Defendant
Outcome
Default judgment granted in favour of the applicants; respondent ordered to repay the full amount with interest and costs.
Judges
Dosio
Legal Topics
Unjust Enrichment, Public Procurement Irregularity, Condictio Ob Turpem Vel Iniustam Causam, No Profit Principle, Section 172 Constitution, Default Judgment
Civil Procedure Commercial and Corporate Constitutional Law Unjust Enrichment Public Procurement Irregularity Condictio Ob Turpem Vel Iniustam Causam No Profit Principle Section 172 Constitution +1 more

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Parties

South African Broadcasting Corporation SOC Ltd

Applicant

Special Investigating Unit

Applicant

Lornavision (Pty) Ltd

Respondent

South African Broadcasting Corporation SOC Ltd

Plaintiff

Special Investigating Unit

Plaintiff

Lornavision (Pty) Ltd

Defendant

James Aguma

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Default Judgment Application / Application for Default Judgment Following Withdrawal of Upliftment of Bar; Main Action Pending Against Other Defendant

  1. 1 Whether the respondent is liable to repay the sum paid under an unlawful contract declared void ab initio.
  2. 2 Whether the respondent was unjustly enriched at the expense of the applicants.
  3. 3 Whether technical objections to affidavits and parallel litigation bar the granting of default judgment.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the written services agreement between the SABC and Lornavision was declared unlawful and void ab initio, requiring restitution of the full amount paid under the contract. Lornavision failed to file a plea and thus could not oppose the default judgment application. The affidavits of Ms Tladi and Mr Daniels, which quantified the loss and confirmed the lack of benefit to the SABC, were accepted as uncontested evidence. Technical objections to the commissioning of affidavits were dismissed, as substantial compliance was established and supplementary affidavits were provided. The existence of parallel litigation and lack of consolidation did not constitute a defence to...

Court Disposition

Default judgment granted in favour of the applicants; respondent ordered to repay the full amount with interest and costs.

Orders

  • The application for default judgment is granted.
  • The respondent is ordered to pay the sum of R62,733,556.61 with interest tempore morae from date of service of summons to date of final payment.