Court stories
Court in the Act
Highlights from the small claims courts, reported by Bert van Hees.
With sparkling, and entertaining humour, the highlights focus also on the human dramas that unfold in the Small Claims Courts, as feuding parties cross swords about anything from dog bites to family squabbles. Where necessary, easily understood explanations of the law are added as footnotes.
The Perils of Internet Transactions
This is not a highlight from the Small Claims Court, but a warning about the perils of internet transactions, and how easily unsuspecting people can become victims of…
Two Cars Joined as One
A young man who started saving up for his first car at the age of 21, ended up with two cars – joined together as one. Claimant Faud…
Wife's Final Say
Wives usually have the "last say" about things, and Kevin Ackerman hopes his wife’s last say will tip the Scales of Justice in his favour. He and his…
And That's That ...
This case involves a woman claimant, and male defendant. The proceedings were rather heated and hectic, and the defendant gave me an uneasy feeling that he would "take…
It's a Dog's Life
Claimant Cornel Venter's day in court, fighting his former partner Pieter Kleyn for the return of a dog, got him nowhere. Mr Venter told Commissioner Mr Neville Cohen…
Loan Firm’s “Irresponsible Staff”
Business partners Charl Jordaan and Clinton Baumeister, owners of the loan firm Southern Devlopments, stood their ground against loan seeker Hilda Motale’s claim – but got it in…
Lawyers in Court, but Not as Lawyers
In recent days, two lawyers have featured in the Small Claims Courts – not as commissioners but as litigants. One, an advocate of the Cape Bar, launched a…
Maintenance Claim Gets Nasty
Commissioner Louis Conradie had a nasty fight on his hands when fireman Johan Conradie took his former wife Elizabeth Lamprechts to the Small Claims Court in a maintenance…
Took Wrong Person to Court
Taking the wrong person to court guarantees that your claim will be thrown out – as happened to Mr Victor Southwell. But he was not to know until…
Pieces of Coal Hit Her Car
The “balance of probabilities” swung in Pamela Skelton’s favour, when she took Express Coal to court over damage to her car caused by pieces of coal, the residue…
Squabble Over Invasion of Privacy
When landlord Frank vd Horst entered tenant Gabrielle Gawlowski’s rented backyard flatlet without knocking, she saw it as an invasion of privacy, and objected. He considered her objection…
Township “Gooi-Gooi” Game Goes Off the Rails
South African township residents have a game called “gooi-gooi” , which usually involves five players who each pay R1 000 a month into a kitty. If there are…
The Customer is Not Always Right
The customer is not always right, as Siyabonga Tulumani, of Khayelitsha in the Cape, has learned. He thought taking the UR Cell and Leather Shop to the Small…
Money Lender’s Claim Thrown Out
Claimant Harriet Spolander had only herself to blame for leaving the Cape Town Small Claims Court empty-handed. She alleged she had lent Mr Duncan Harker R4 000 –…
Drug Pusher Wins His Case
In probably the most bizarre case I have ever come across, a drug merchant obtained an order against a drug abuser for the abuser’s unpaid drug bill. Whether…
“Cheeky” Defendant Has to Pay
Cape Town small claims Commissioner Serf Hurter was astonished at the “cheek” of an estate agent defendant who not only considered her business commitments more important than attending…
No Speak Xhosa, No Speak Eengleesh
Afrikaans-speaking Elizabeth Best could speak no Xhosa, and her Xhosa char Linda Mpande could speak no Afrikaans, but they managed to get on in broken English – until…
These People, They Make Me Mad!
The customer is not always right, okay? That was spray painter Willem Boman’s attitude, when his customer, Mr Abdool Morris, took him to the Small Claims Court for…
Car Parts Dispute Gets Out of Hand
South African Small Claims Commissioner Eduard McCallum had his hands full when a dispute involving a refund for a car part threatened to get out of hand. Claimant…