South African legal developments

The Western Cape High Court considered an application for leave to appeal against an urgent spoliation order concerning Building C and the handover of keys. The court said the applicants’ control of access and related activities supported possession on the papers, and refused leave to appeal.

The judgment concerns a delict claim against the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure after a motorcyclist struck a large pothole on MR347 near George. The court found that the pothole had existed for several weeks, was difficult to see, and that the defendant had not repaired or warned about it. The court ordered that the defendant is liable for the plaintiff's proven or agreed damages and awarded costs on an attorney and client scale.

The notice records an intention by the Registrar of Labour Relations to cancel the registration of Yarona Kopano Workers Union of South Africa (YKWUSA). It says the stated reasons are non-compliance with sections 98, 99 and 100 of the Act and that the organisation ceased to function in terms of its constitution.

This government notice records the cancellation of registration of the University of Pretoria Workers' Organisation (UPWO) as a trade union under the Labour Relations Act, 1995. It states that the Registrar of Labour Relations acted in terms of section 106(2A) and that the organisation's name was removed from the Register of Trade Unions.

The notice says that, under the Labour Relations Act, the Registrar of Labour Relations cancelled the registration of Balance South Africa (BSA). It also states that the organisation's name has been removed from the Register of Trade Unions.

The judgment concerns a delictual claim by a passenger who said he fell from a moving train through an open door at Esplanade Station on 25 September 2014. The court found that the carriage doors were open while the train was in motion and that PRASA is liable for the plaintiff’s proven damages. It also ordered PRASA to pay the plaintiff’s costs.

The High Court heard an appeal against dismissal of claims for unlawful arrest and detention. It summarised evidence about alleged fraud at a petrol station, and held that the arresting officer had reasonable suspicion under section 40(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act. The appeal was dismissed with costs on scale C.

SAFlii has listed this judgment: S v Pool (142/26) [2026] ZAWCHC 521 (10 September 2026).

The High Court in the Western Cape dealt with contempt proceedings arising from alleged non-compliance with a Rule 43 interim maintenance order. The court declared the respondent in contempt and ordered periodic weekend imprisonment for six months, suspended on stated conditions, together with attorney and own client costs.

The supplied text is a proclamation notice in the Government Gazette. It identifies Proclamation Notice 346 of 2026 and refers to the Public Holidays Act in the title.

The National Consumer Commission published a notice about an application by the Plumbing Industry Registration Board to be accredited as a Consumer Protection Group under the Consumer Protection Act. The notice says the application was received in October 2025 and refers to later engagements in 2026 about the board’s proposed functions and post-accreditation obligations.

The Western Cape High Court considered whether a homeless person’s removal from a night shelter amounted to an eviction under the PIE Act, and whether the shelter bore constitutional and statutory obligations of the kind claimed. The Court found that the Malmesbury shelter was not the applicant’s home for PIE purposes and dismissed the application. The Court also ordered that the late filing of the Haven’s answering affidavit be condoned and made no order as to costs.

The Western Cape High Court considered an application for provisional liquidation of Kalahari Namaqua Karoo (Pty) Limited. The judgment records that the Respondent was placed under provisional liquidation and a rule nisi was issued calling on interested persons to show cause on 20 October 2026 why final liquidation should not be granted.

The Supreme Court of Appeal dealt with an appeal about the registration of the Chianina Cattle Breeders’ Society under the Animal Improvement Act. It dismissed the appeal with costs and said the high court had erred in granting a substitution order.

The judgment concerns two appeals under COIDA brought by Elizabeth Hartzenberg and Jonatan Hermanus Jonas against tribunal assessments of permanent disablement. The court set aside the tribunal determinations and declared total permanent disablement of 100% in both matters. It also dealt with whether the amended costs regime in section 46(7) of COIDA had retrospective effect.

The High Court in Western Cape Division, Cape Town, heard an application by the Road Accident Fund to uplift a bar so that it could file a plea in the main action. The court found that the applicant had not shown good cause for its failure to file a plea and had not demonstrated a bona fide defence, and the application was dismissed with costs.