Defamation on Social Media – A Refresher
In a recent Free State High Court case, Itumele Bus Lines (Pty) Ltd t/a Interstate Bus Lines v Transport and Allied Workers Union of South Africa and Others [2008] ZALC 207, a self-proclaimed “public transport activist” has been ordered to remove certain defamatory publications from his social media. The Respondent, Mr Msabe, made various public more...
The challenges and limitations of using a Power of Attorney when someone becomes incapacitated
We are often approached to prepare a power of attorney for someone whose family member faces illness, mental or physical incapacity, or an inability to manage their own affairs.
Acting without authority: What you need to know before acting as a trustee.
It is vital that a trustee is authorised by the Master before they exercise or undertake any trustee powers or duties. If this is not adhered to, these unauthorised acts are void and of no legal effect. This can place the trust, its beneficiaries and even the trustees themselves, depending on the circumstances, in a precarious position which could have financial or other adverse consequences.
A boon for privacy and a blow for justice: What you need to know about the new Vodacom judgment
In April 2023, the Supreme Court of Appeal (“SCA”) handed down judgment in the case of Giftwrap Trading (Pty) Ltd v Vodacom (Pty) Ltd and Others[1] (“Vodacom”). The case set a consequential precedent for data privacy law but may also have the effect of stifling the ability of potential litigants to obtain information from internet more...
Tax Judgments: What are they? What do I need to know?
A debt is legally enforceable when it is made an order of court. Chapter 11 of the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011 regulates the recovery of tax by SARS. Part B thereof relates to the civil judgment procedure. Section 172 of the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011 (“TAA”) allows SARS to obtain civil more...
Con Court Sets the Record Straight: Tax judgments can be rescinded
If a taxpayer owes money to SARS and does not pay, SARS may file a certified statement with a competent court, which will be “treated as a civil judgment” (section 174 of the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011 (“TAA”)). Recently the Constitutional Court finally set the record straight in Barnard Labuschagne Incorporated v South more...
Bool Smuts v Herman Botha – Right to Privacy v Freedom of Expression
On 10 January 2022 the Supreme Court of Appeal handed down a landmark judgment in the matter of Smuts and Another v Botha and Another (887/2020) [2022] ZASCA 3 (10 January 2022) which gives us an inside look at how our privacy laws are applied by the courts. Summary In this matter, Bool Smuts, a more...
Mandatory Workplace Vaccination Polices: So it Begins…
On 21 January 2022 the CCMA delivered its findings in the unfair dismissal dispute of Mulderij v The Goldrush Group (case number: GAJB-24054-21), where it confirmed that the dismissal of an employee pursuant to a refusal to adhere to an employer’s mandatory workplace vaccination policy (“MWVP”) may be considered substantively fair. It is the first more...
A step-by-step guide to having your documents commissioned
“Please, go back to the commissioner of oaths and repeat the process – you skipped a page!” – do these words sound familiar? Having documents commissioned should be a relatively simple task. In practice, however, minor mistakes, like a missed initial, can undermine the integrity of the entire process. Unfortunately, this is often only cured more...
M Booysen v J Dolley-Major (Case No: 5043/2021) Landmark case – Naming an alleged rapist on social media
We are all aware of the serious legal consequences of defamatory posts on social media, but as discussed in my article on defamation and the elements that need to be proven, it is an intricate area of law and there is a constant weighing of individual rights by the courts. This case is an excellent more...
Let’s talk about defamation of character…again
Why do we have to continue talking about this? Defamation of character has become one of the most frequent issues that clients raise with attorneys. Either they are being defamed on social media or are accused of defaming someone else or a business on social media. It would be easy to keep blaming it on more...
Judicial redress in contracts: a balancing act
On 5 November 2019, Beadica 231 CC and Others v Trustees for the time being of Oregon Trust and Others (CCT109/2019) was before the Constitutional Court. This case made its way up, starting in the Western Cape High Court, then to the Supreme Court of Appeal (“SCA”), and finally, to the Constitutional Court. The judgment more...