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IN THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA

GAUTENG DIVISION, PRETORIA

 

CASE NO: A23/2015

DATE OF HEARING: 19/10/2016

DATE OF JUDGMENT: 21/10/2026

Reportable: No

Of interest to other judges: No

Revised.

 

In the matter between:

 

INSULATION THERMAL ACOUSTIC SECURITY

COMPANY (PTY) LTD                                                                           FIRST APPELLANT

STRITAS (PTY) LTD                                                                         SECOND APPELLANT

SOUTH AFRICAN POST OFFICE LIMITED                                                 RESPONDENT

 

JUDGMENT

 

BAM AJ

[1] This Court has been called upon to answer the question whether the court a quo was correct in granting absolution from the instance upon application by the defendant at the close of the appellants' case.

[2] In this case, the court a quo had granted absolution from the instance on the grounds that the appellants had failed to prove the existence of a contract between themselves and the respondent. The judge specifically states that: "Now from the evidence it is clear that until a vel}' late stage there is no a/legation that there was ever a contract". This cannot be because the entire case of the appellants is based on what they allege is the existence of a contract. In fact the appellants pleaded three causes of action in the alternative, these being a written contract, an oral agreement and the application of quasi-mutual assent.

[3] In the court a quo' s judgment, there is no indication at all as to whether the two alternative causes of action were considered because reference is made only to the signature of the CEO. The court concluded that since there was no evidence that the CEO signed the contract, there can be none to speak of. It was on this basis that the court found for the respondent.

[4] It is so that the primary basis for contractual liability under South African law has always been and still remains consensus ad idem as determined through the rules relating to offer and acceptance. It is also an accepted principle of our law that the existence of a contract or an agreement can be proven in other ways beside the production of a written and/or signed document.

[5] In allowing the appeal to this court the judge a quo confirms that he did not quite deal with the issue of quasi-mutual assent and it is our view that he must be afforded the opportunity to do just that. A further reason, other than the court's concession already stated, is because upon perusal of the documents filed of record in this matter, we are of the view that the appellants have got an answerable case. It is essential that the respondent is given an opportunity to place its case or response before the court so that the causes of action, as put forward by the appellants can be addressed and a determination made in relation to them.

[6] It is not for this court to venture into the merits of the arguments between the parties and we heed the caution by Schreiner JA in Gafoor v Unie Versekeringsadviseurs (Edms) BPK 1961 (2) SA 335 at 340 D that:

"on appeal it is generally right for the Appellate Tribunal, when allowing an appeal against an order granting absolution at the close of the plaintiffs case, to avoid, as far as possible, the expression of views that may prematurely curb the free exercise by the trial court of its judgment on the facts when the defendant's case has been closed."

[9] In the premises, the following order is made:

(a)  The appeal is upheld with costs.

(b)  The order of the court a quo is hereby set aside and replaced with an order that absolution from the instance is refused.

(c)  The case is remitted to the trial court for finalization.

 

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BAM AJ

ACTING JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT

 

I agree and it is so ordered

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LOUW A. A. J

JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT

 

I agree and it is so ordered

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RANCHOD J

JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT

 

Counsel for the Appellants             : H C BOTMA

Instructed by                                  : MICHAEL SALOMON ATTORNEYS

Counsel for Respondent                : H F JACOBS SC

Instructed by                                  : MAHLANGU INC.

Date of Hearing                              : 19 October 2016

Date of Judgment                           : 21 October 2016

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