Van Zyl v Lid van die Uitvoerende Raad Openbare Werke, Paaie en Vervoer: Vrystaat Provinsie en Anders (A50/08) [2009] ZAFSHC 103 (22 October 2009)

Van Zyl v Lid van die Uitvoerende Raad Openbare Werke, Paaie en Vervoer: Vrystaat Provinsie en Anders (A50/08) [2009] ZAFSHC 103 (22 October 2009)

The court held that the decision by the second respondent to approve the erection of a swing gate on the public tertiary road T1726 did not constitute administrative action as defined by PAJA, as it did not materially and adversely affect the applicant's rights beyond those of any member of the public. The relevant ordinance grants landowners the statutory right to erect fences and gates across public roads, subject only to departmental approval regarding design and location, and does not require prior consultation with affected parties. The inconvenience alleged by the applicant does not amount to a denial of rights, and the gate does not hinder the proper use of the road. The department...

Citation
[2009] ZAFSHC 103
Parties
Applicant: Willem Stephanus van Zyl; Respondent: Die Lid van die Uitvoerende Raad: Openbare Werke, Paaie en Vervoer: Vrystaat Provinsie; Respondent: Die Departementshoof: Departement Openbare Werke, Paaie en Vervoer: Vrystaat Provinsie; Respondent: David Andries Erwee N.O.; Respondent: Elizabeth Catharina Erwee N.O.
Court
Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Judgment Date
22 October 2009
Case Number
A50/08
Procedural Posture
Review Application / Judgment
Outcome
Application dismissed with costs.
Judges
Hancke, R, Rampai, R
Legal Topics
Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, Public Roads, Statutory Rights of Landowners, Procedural Fairness, Servitude and Right of Way
Administrative Law Land and Property Promotion of Administrative Justice Act Public Roads Statutory Rights of Landowners Procedural Fairness Servitude and Right of Way

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Parties

Willem Stephanus van Zyl

Applicant

Die Lid van die Uitvoerende Raad: Openbare Werke, Paaie en Vervoer: Vrystaat Provinsie

Respondent

Die Departementshoof: Departement Openbare Werke, Paaie en Vervoer: Vrystaat Provinsie

Respondent

David Andries Erwee N.O.

Respondent

Elizabeth Catharina Erwee N.O.

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Review Application / Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the decision by the second respondent to approve the erection of a swing gate on a public tertiary road constitutes administrative action subject to review under PAJA.
  2. 2 Whether the applicant's rights were materially and adversely affected by the decision.
  3. 3 Whether the relevant ordinance required prior consultation with affected parties before approval of the gate.

Ratio Decidendi

The court held that the decision by the second respondent to approve the erection of a swing gate on the public tertiary road T1726 did not constitute administrative action as defined by PAJA, as it did not materially and adversely affect the applicant's rights beyond those of any member of the public. The relevant ordinance grants landowners the statutory right to erect fences and gates across public roads, subject only to departmental approval regarding design and location, and does not require prior consultation with affected parties. The inconvenience alleged by the applicant does not amount to a denial of rights, and the gate does not hinder the proper use of the road. The department...

Court Disposition

Application dismissed with costs.

Orders

  • The application is dismissed with costs.