Tedstone Flats CC and Others v Maple View Investments (Pty) Ltd and Others (LCC209/2021) [2023] ZALCC 7 (16 March 2023)

Tedstone Flats CC and Others v Maple View Investments (Pty) Ltd and Others (LCC209/2021) [2023] ZALCC 7 (16 March 2023)

The court found that the applicants had established a prima facie right to just administrative action and that meaningful engagement with both the receiving community and the occupier respondents was lacking. The requirements for an interim interdict were satisfied, as there was reasonable apprehension of harm, the balance of convenience favoured the applicants, and no alternative remedy was available. The relocation was stayed pending the outcome of the review application, and the municipality was ordered to provide comprehensive reports on community engagement, long-term housing plans, income levels, and costs. Costs were reserved for determination at the outcome of the review application.

Citation
[2023] ZALCC 7
Parties
Applicant: Tedstone Flats CC and 9 Others; Respondent: Maple View Investments (Pty) Ltd; Respondent: Head of the Gauteng Provincial Office of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform; Respondent: City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality; Respondent: Joseph Mojela and 126 Others
Court
Land Claims Court
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Judgment Date
16 March 2023
Case Number
LCC209/2021
Procedural Posture
Urgent Application / Interim Urgent Application for Interdict Pending Review
Outcome
Application granted. Interim interdict issued staying relocation pending review. Costs reserved.
Judges
M T Ncube
Legal Topics
Relocation of Occupiers, Meaningful Engagement, Just Administrative Action, Section 26 Right to Housing, Interim Interdict, Consultation Requirements

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 4 Authorities cited 7 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Tedstone Flats CC and 9 Others

Applicant

Maple View Investments (Pty) Ltd

Respondent

Head of the Gauteng Provincial Office of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform

Respondent

City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality

Respondent

Joseph Mojela and 126 Others

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Urgent Application / Interim Urgent Application for Interdict Pending Review

  1. 1 Whether the applicants have established grounds for an interim interdict pending review of the municipality's decision to relocate occupiers to Tedstoneville.
  2. 2 Whether there was meaningful and effective consultation with the receiving community and the occupier respondents regarding the relocation.
  3. 3 Whether the requirements for an interim interdict have been satisfied, including prima facie right, reasonable apprehension of harm, balance of convenience, and absence of alternative remedy.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the applicants had established a prima facie right to just administrative action and that meaningful engagement with both the receiving community and the occupier respondents was lacking. The requirements for an interim interdict were satisfied, as there was reasonable apprehension of harm, the balance of convenience favoured the applicants, and no alternative remedy was available. The relocation was stayed pending the outcome of the review application, and the municipality was ordered to provide comprehensive reports on community engagement, long-term housing plans, income levels, and costs. Costs were reserved for determination at the outcome of the review application.

Court Disposition

Application granted. Interim interdict issued staying relocation pending review. Costs reserved.

Orders

  • Non-compliance with ordinary rules of service and filing is condoned.
  • Relocation of the Fourth to One Hundred and Twenty Seventh respondents to Tedstoneville is stayed pending finalization of the review application.