South Africa Case Law

Huntrex 277 (Pty) Ltd v Margo Berzak and Others

The Court held that the servitude, interpreted in its factual context, was intended to create a praedial servitude but did not satisfy the requirements for a valid praedial servitude because it lacked perpetuity and utility as a praedial right; on its proper characterisation it was a personal servitude of usus in favour of Ms Berzack, and its purported registration beyond her lifetime contravened section 66 of the Deeds Registries Act, justifying rectification of the deed.

Source excerpt

• Servitudes
• Praedial servitude vs personal servitude
• Interpretation of deeds of transfer
• Deeds registries act 47 of 1937 section 66
• Rectification of title deed
• Civiliter modo exercise of servitude

Transvaal Yacht Club v Seale and Others (62272/2017)

Transvaal Yacht Club v Seale and Others (62272/2017) [2025] ZAGPPHC 216 (28 February 2025)

Court

North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria

Case number

62272/2017

Judge

Cilliers

The court corrected a patent costs error under Uniform Rule 42(1)(b) and dismissed a counter application seeking to rescind or void an earlier servitude-related order.

• Servitudal Rights
• Uniform Rule 42
• Res judicata
• Fraud In Litigation
• Joinder Of Parties
• Uniform-rule-42

VAW Belingsings (Pty) Limited Liquidation v MKD Properties (Pty) Limited (A118/2022)

VAW Belingsings (Pty) Limited Liquidation v MKD Properties (Pty) Limited (A118/2022) [2023] ZAGPPHC 2013 (14 December 2023)

Court

North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria

Case number

A118/2022

Judges

Mogotsi, Van der Westhuizen, Coetzee

The court found that Mr Pretorius, acting as auctioneer, made intentional misrepresentations regarding the dam's water rights and value, which induced the respondent to purchase the property. The evidence showed that Mr Pretorius lacked accurate information about the dam, its water source, and servitudes, yet he made definitive statements to promote the sale and deliberately cut off further discussion. This conduct amounted to dolus eventualis, as he reconciled himself with the possibility of misleading the purchaser. The voetstoots clause in the agreement of sale does not protect against int…

Source excerpt

• Voetstoots Clause
• Intentional Misrepresentation
• Latent Defects
• Contract Cancellation
• Auction Sale
• Servitudes

Mokoena and Others v Lambrechts Familie Testamentere Trust and Others (LCC36/2019)

Mokoena and Others v Lambrechts Familie Testamentere Trust and Others (LCC36/2019) [2022] ZALCC 37 (14 June 2022)

Court

Land Claims Court

Case number

LCC36/2019

Judge

Cowen

The Land Claims Court dismissed special pleas limiting labour tenants to status relief, holding that rights and servitudes may be determined at trial.

• Labour Tenants Act
• Jurisdiction Of Land Claims Court
• Special Plea
• Rights Of Labour Tenants
• Registration Of Servitudes
• Labour-tenants-act

Meyer v Trustees for the Time Being of the Aurum Mykel Trust (A345/2018)

Meyer v Trustees for the Time Being of the Aurum Mykel Trust (A345/2018) [2019] ZAWCHC 44; 2020 (2) SA 557 (WCC) (29 April 2019)

Court

Western Cape High Court, Cape Town

Case number

A345/2018

Judges

Francis, Bozalek

Appeal over a claimed right of way failed: the court held there was no implied servitude on subdivision and no proof of acquisitive prescription.

• Servitude By Implied Consent
• Acquisitive Prescription
• Right Of Way
• Final Interdict
• Costs Award
• Servitudes

Kungwini Estate (PTY) LTD v Kungwini Manor Homeowner's Association (24144/2010)

Kungwini Estate (PTY) LTD v Kungwini Manor Homeowner's Association (24144/2010) [2017] ZAGPPHC 1297 (19 September 2017)

Court

North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria

Case number

24144/2010

Judge

M M Mokadikoa-Chauke

The court held that the respondent complied with the 30-day requirement to institute action, but reserved all costs for the trial court because the merits were still pending.

• Costs Order
• Interim Interdict
• Compliance With Court Order
• Notarial Servitude Rights
• Civil-procedure
• Costs-orders

Rand Water Board v Big Cedar Trading 22 (Pty) Ltd (1038/15)

Rand Water Board v Big Cedar Trading 22 (Pty) Ltd (1038/15) [2016] ZASCA 177; [2017] 1 All SA 698 (SCA) (25 November 2016)

Court

Supreme Court of Appeal

Case number

1038/15

Judges

Cachalia, Seriti, Wallis, Pillay, Schippers

The SCA held that Rand Water lawfully laid pipelines under statute, even without a registered servitude, and that the new owner could not demand removal or compensation.

• Statutory Pipe Laying Powers
• Servitude Registration
• Compensation For Expropriation
• Constitutional Property Rights
• Statutory-powers
• Servitudes

Plover's Nest Investment v De Haan (20590/2014)

Plover's Nest Investment v De Haan (20590/2014) [2015] ZASCA 193 (30 November 2015)

Court

Supreme Court of Appeal

Case number

20590/2014

Judges

Lewis, Mhlantla, Leach, Tshiqi, Majiedt

The Supreme Court of Appeal held that a municipal clerk’s miscommunication did not replace a valid council resolution, so the building plan approval was set aside.

• Municipal Decision Review
• Servitude Rights
• Building Plan Approval
• Clerical Error
• Promotion Of Administrative Justice Act
• Administrative-law

Lemoenshoek Plase (EDMS) BPK v Department van Waterwese and Others (17282/2014)

Lemoenshoek Plase (EDMS) BPK v Department van Waterwese and Others (17282/2014) [2015] ZAWCHC 123 (21 May 2015)

Court

Western Cape High Court, Cape Town

Case number

17282/2014

Judge

A P Blignault

The court set aside departmental water directives, holding they lacked a lawful basis, and granted interim relief permitting limited restoration of a water-diversion structure.

• Water Rights
• Existing Lawful Use
• Administrative Action Review
• Interim Interdict
• Servitude Creation
• Environmental Authorisation

Conforth Investments (Pty) Ltd v Ethekwini Municipality (21593/2004)

Conforth Investments (Pty) Ltd v Ethekwini Municipality (21593/2004) [2013] ZAKZDHC 68 (28 November 2013)

Court

Kwazulu-Natal High Court, Durban

Case number

21593/2004

Judge

Lopes

The court dismissed a claim for compensation over a road servitude, holding there was no compensable deprivation, expropriation, or constructive expropriation.

• Arbitrary Deprivation Of Property
• Expropriation
• Constructive Expropriation
• Servitude Registration
• Municipal Control Of Public Roads
• Arbitrary-deprivation-of-property