Western Crown Properties 113 (Pty) Ltd and Others v The Trustees From Time to Time of the Mkonza Family Trust and Another (13699/2013) [2015] ZAGPPHC 596 (30 July 2015)

Western Crown Properties 113 (Pty) Ltd and Others v The Trustees From Time to Time of the Mkonza Family Trust and Another (13699/2013) [2015] ZAGPPHC 596 (30 July 2015)

The court found that the respondents were aware of the order and had failed to comply with its terms by not removing vehicles, material, machinery and equipment related to unlawful use of the property within the stipulated period. Photographic and satellite evidence demonstrated ongoing business and industrial...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2015] ZAGPPHC 596
Parties
Applicant: Western Crown Properties 113 (Pty) Ltd; Applicant: Bruce Finnemore; Applicant: Margaret Finnemore; Respondent: The Trustees From Time to Time of the Mkonza Family Trust; Respondent: Xuma Technologies (Pty) Ltd
Court
North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Case Number
13699/2013
Procedural Posture
Contempt Application / Judgment on Contempt Proceedings Following Prior Order
Outcome
First and Second Respondents found in contempt of the court order dated 28 January 2014. Suspended imprisonment imposed subject to compliance.
Judges
M D Mohlamonyane
Legal Topics
Civil Contempt of Court, Title Conditions, Unlawful Land Use, National Environmental Management Act, Burden of Proof, Motion Proceedings
Civil Procedure Land and Property Environmental Law Civil Contempt of Court Title Conditions Unlawful Land Use National Environmental Management Act Burden of Proof +1 more

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 15 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Western Crown Properties 113 (Pty) Ltd

Applicant

Bruce Finnemore

Applicant

Margaret Finnemore

Applicant

The Trustees From Time to Time of the Mkonza Family Trust

Respondent

Xuma Technologies (Pty) Ltd

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Contempt Application / Judgment on Contempt Proceedings Following Prior Order

  1. 1 Whether the respondents are in contempt of the court order granted on 28 January 2014.
  2. 2 Whether the respondents failed to remove vehicles, material, machinery and equipment related to unlawful use of the property.
  3. 3 Whether the respondents continued to use the property for impermissible business purposes contrary to title conditions and environmental law.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the respondents were aware of the order and had failed to comply with its terms by not removing vehicles, material, machinery and equipment related to unlawful use of the property within the stipulated period. Photographic and satellite evidence demonstrated ongoing business and industrial activity, dumping of rubble, and storage of materials in contravention of the title conditions and environmental law. The respondents did not provide sufficient evidence to rebut the presumption of wilfulness and mala fides in their non-compliance. The supplementary affidavits and letters from government officials did not supersede the court order or establish compliance. The...

Court Disposition

First and Second Respondents found in contempt of the court order dated 28 January 2014. Suspended imprisonment imposed subject to compliance.

Orders

  • The First and Second Respondents are found to be in contempt of the Order issued on 28 January 2014 under case number 13699/2013.
  • Boitumelo Charmain Mkonza is committed to immediate imprisonment for fifteen (15) days for contempt, suspended for two years on conditions of compliance.