South Africa Case Law

Pareto Limited and Another v Kotze (14109/2024)

Pareto Limited and Another v Kotze (14109/2024) [2025] ZAWCHC 338 (8 August 2025)

Court

Western Cape High Court, Cape Town

Case number

14109/2024

Judge

J Cloete

The court found that only the Covid-19 defence raised a triable issue, specifically whether the lockdown regulations hindered or prevented the tenant from performing under the lease, thereby entitling the tenant to further rental remission under the force majeure clause. The plaintiffs failed to engage substantively with the contractual provisions regarding hindered performance and remission of rent, and the defendant's submissions on this point met the threshold for a triable issue. The other defences—regarding unliquidated amounts, renegotiated rental, and ambiguity in the deed of suretyshi…

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• Lease Agreement
• Force Majeure
• Covid 19 Regulations
• Summary Judgment
• Remission Of Rent

Hassody Katha v Primathie Pillay N.O. and Others (276/2024)

Hassody Katha v Primathie Pillay N.O. and Others (276/2024) [2025] ZASCA 106 (18 July 2025)

Court

Supreme Court of Appeal

Case number

276/2024

Judges

Matojane, Koen, Dlodlo, Dawood, Steyn

The Supreme Court of Appeal held that the phrase 'superior force' in section 3(1)(a) of the Prescription Act 68 of 1969 must be interpreted contextually and purposively, in line with constitutional principles protecting property rights. Death is an unforeseeable and uncontrollable event that objectively prevents the registered owner from acting to interrupt prescription. Therefore, death constitutes a 'superior force' under the Act, suspending the running of acquisitive prescription. The legislative purpose is to prevent arbitrary deprivation of property rights and to ensure an equitable bala…

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• Acquisitive Prescription
• Prescription Act 68 Of 1969
• Superior Force
• Statutory Interpretation
• Property Rights
• Force Majeure

Global Connect Trading (Pty) Ltd and Others v South African Securitisation Programme and Others (3198/2022)

Global Connect Trading (Pty) Ltd and Others v South African Securitisation Programme and Others (3198/2022) [2025] ZAFSHC 168 (12 June 2025)

Court

Free State High Court, Bloemfontein

Case number

3198/2022

Judges

Loubser, Chesiwe, Ntanga

The appeal was dismissed because the appellants failed to establish any bona fide defence or triable issue to resist summary judgment. The court found that the deponent to the summary judgment affidavit, as litigation manager with direct access to relevant records, satisfied the requirements of rule 32. The alleged illegibility of the rental agreement did not prevent the appellants from pleading fully, and thus did not constitute a valid defence. The purported cancellation of the agreement was not effected in accordance with the contractual terms and was invalid. The defence of force majeure…

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• Summary Judgment
• Rule 32 Uniform Rules
• Force Majeure
• Impossibility Of Performance
• Contract Termination
• Guarantee Liability

MENP Trading Projects CC v Mimed (Pty) Ltd (9 June 2025) (7126/2021)

MENP Trading Projects CC v Mimed (Pty) Ltd (9 June 2025) (7126/2021) [2025] ZALMPPHC 109 (5 June 2025)

Court

Limpopo High Court, Polokwane

Case number

7126/2021

Judge

M.A. Mphahlele

The High Court held that Black Chrome Mine’s liquidation frustrated the capitation-fee part of the SLA, but the defendant still had to give 60 days’ notice.

• Contract Termination
• Damages
• Force Majeure
• Notice Period
• Service Level Agreement
• Contract-termination

Medupe and Others v African National Congress and Others (003/2024)

Medupe and Others v African National Congress and Others (003/2024) [2025] ZASCA 22 (20 March 2025)

Court

Supreme Court of Appeal

Case number

003/2024

Judges

Meyer, Matojane, Kgoele, Smith, Bloem

The Supreme Court of Appeal held that rule 12.2.4 of the ANC constitution does not automatically terminate the IPC's authority upon expiry of the nine-month period, especially where force majeure, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, made compliance impossible. The rule must be interpreted in context, with the purpose of maintaining good governance and continuity in leadership. The NEC was constitutionally empowered to extend the IPC's mandate and to intervene in the conduct of the Provincial Conference when necessary. The actions of the NEC and IPC were justified under the constitution, and the Pr…

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• Interpretation Of Voluntary Association Constitution
• Force Majeure
• Internal Governance
• Contractual Interpretation
• Good Governance
• Powers Of Nec

Firstrand Bank Ltd t/a First National Bank v Tshepori Holdings (Pty) Ltd and Another (2022/007978)

Firstrand Bank Ltd t/a First National Bank v Tshepori Holdings (Pty) Ltd and Another (2022/007978) [2025] ZAGPJHC 200 (28 February 2025)

Court

South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg

Case number

2022/007978

Judge

Aucamp

Summary judgment was granted to the bank on an overdraft debt claim. The court rejected COVID-19-based supervening impossibility as a defence.

• Summary Judgment
• Suretyship
• Supervening Impossibility
• Force Majeure
• Contractual Liability
• Summary-judgment

Empact Group (Pty) Ltd v Malope and Others (JR1063/21)

Empact Group (Pty) Ltd v Malope and Others (JR1063/21) [2025] ZALCJHB 5 (17 January 2025)

Court

Labour Court Johannesburg

Case number

JR1063/21

Judge

C Orr

Labour Court held that BCEA sections 37 and 38 do not create a statutory right to notice pay where supervening impossibility of performance excuses payment.

• Notice Pay
• Supervening Impossibility
• Force Majeure
• Section 37 Bcea
• Section 38 Bcea
• Review Of Arbitration Award

Growthpoint Properties Limited v MI Financial Solutions (Pty) Limited and Another (2022/23863)

Growthpoint Properties Limited v MI Financial Solutions (Pty) Limited and Another (2022/23863) [2024] ZAGPJHC 1171 (15 November 2024)

Court

South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg

Case number

2022/23863

Judge

Oosthuizen-Senekal CSP

The High Court dismissed summary judgment because the defendants raised a bona fide misrepresentation defence about COVID-19 rental remission, requiring trial.

• Summary Judgment
• Misrepresentation
• Settlement Agreement
• Rental Remission
• Force Majeure
• Covid 19 Contractual Impact

Maher v Avianto (Pty) Ltd (A2023/097547)

Maher v Avianto (Pty) Ltd (A2023/097547) [2024] ZAGPJHC 1163; [2025] 1 All SA 410 (GJ) (12 November 2024)

Court

South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg

Case number

A2023/097547

Judges

WJ du Plessis, L Windell

Covid-19 lockdown made the wedding venue unavailable on the agreed date, extinguishing the contract and entitling the appellant to a full refund.

• Force Majeure
• Supervening Impossibility
• Unjustified Enrichment
• Contract Cancellation
• Covid19 Regulations
• Force-majeure

Absa Bank Limited v Gaberton Investment (Pty) Ltd and Another (2359/2020)

Absa Bank Limited v Gaberton Investment (Pty) Ltd and Another (2359/2020) [2024] ZALMPPHC 156 (29 October 2024)

Court

Limpopo High Court, Polokwane

Case number

2359/2020

Judge

Diamond AJ

The High Court confirmed cancellation of an instalment sale agreement, ordered return of a Caterpillar grader, and dismissed special pleas and a postponement request.

• Instalment Sale Agreement
• Contract Cancellation
• Special Plea National Credit Act
• Rule 41a Uniform Rules
• Force Majeure
• Default Judgment