This is an index of some legal resources related to the broad concept of corporate governance, which includes fairness, accountability, responsibility, transparency, and risk management:
2005 ONWARDS
Sidumo v Rustenburg Platinum Mines Ltd (GF 6778) [Navsa AJ et al, 5.10.2007] [2007] 12 BLLR 1097; 2008 (2) BCLR 158; (2007) 28 ILJ 2405; [2007] JOL 20811 (CC)
[Appeal allowed – CCMA award of reinstatement restored after nearly 7 years – CCMA must decide whether employer’s decision to terminate is for a fair reason related to conduct – so-called “reasonable employer test” rejected – only set aside award if no reasonable arbitrator could have made it – see SCA below – GF 6306]Masetlha v President of RSA (GF 6777) [Moseneke DCJ et al, 3.10.2007] [2008] 1 BCLR 1; 2008 (1) SA 566 & [2007] JOL 20763 (CC)
[Appeal allowed – irretrievable breakdown in employment relationship – lawful & fair to terminate fixed-term contract – employee cannot be deprived of full benefits of remaining 21 months of the contract – see HC below – GF 6454]Fuel Retailers Association of SA v Dept of Agriculture (GF 6619) [Ngcobo J, 7.06.2007]
2007 (10) BCLR 1059 & 2007 (6) SA 4 (CC)
[Appeal allowed – decision authorising construction of filling station reviewed and set aside – National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (“NEMA”) & Environment Conservation Act 73 of 1989 (“ECA”) secs 21 & 22(1) interpreted & applied][Supreme Court of Appeal – 2006 onwards]
Da Silva v CH Chemicals (Pty) Ltd (GF 7231) [Scott JA, 23.09.2008] [2008] ZASCA 110 – unreported case SCA 304/07 (SCA)
[Appeal partly allowed – director’s fiduciary duties – good faith – resignation does not affect most duties – unlawful competition also an issue ]Allaclas Investments (Pty) Ltd v Milnerton GC (GF 6862) [Farlam JA, 29.11.2007] [2007] ZASCA 167; [2008] 2 All SA 1; 2008 (3) SA 134; [2008] JOL 21167 (SCA)
[Appeal allowed – order set aside – see GF 6297 (HC) – failure to prevent nuisance from golf balls landing in private properties – interdict granted to prevent use of part of golf course]Rustenburg Platinum Mines Ltd v CCMA (GF 6306) [Cameron JA, 26.09.2006] [2006] ZASCA 115; [2006] 11 BLLR 1021; [2007] 1 All SA 164; 2007 (1) SA 576; (2006) 27 ILJ 2076 & [2006] JOL 18359 (SCA)
[Appeal allowed – employer primarily responsible to set and enforce standards – conduct that destroys trust entitles employer to terminate employment provided it is within range of reasonable responses, even if employer has not transgressed for 14 years – review powers not to be confused with appeals – appeal allowed – see GF 6778 (CC)]Heneways Freight Services (Pty) Ltd v Grogor (GF 6311) [Zulman JA, 26.09.2006] [2006] ZASCA 116 & [2006] JOL 18354 (SCA)
[Appeal disallowed – sole director and manager – conduct not falling within s424(1) of Companies Act, 1973]Saincic v Industro-Clean (Pty) Ltd (GF 6313) [Farlam JA, 31.05.2006] [2006] ZASCA 77 (SCA)
[Appeal allowed – insufficient evidence to bring claim within s424(1) of Companies Act, 1973]Commissioner: SARS v Hawker Air Services (Pty) Ltd (GF 6055) [Cameron JA, 31.03.06]
[2006] ZASCA 55 & [2006] 2 All SA 565 (SCA) [Appeal allowed – urgency – VAT – no genuine dispute -liquidation & sequestration – partnership]City of Johannesburg v Kaplan NO (GF 6047) [Heher JA, 29.03.2006]
[2006] ZASCA 45 (SCA) [Appeal allowed – Municipal Systems Act 32/2000 s118 – `charge on the property’]
[Supreme Court of Appeal – 2005]
Maritz v Maritz & Pieterse Incorporated (GF 5816) [Heher JA, 30.05.2005]
[2005] JOL 15855 (SCA) [Appeal allowed – personal assets of attorney – not belonging to company in liquidation]Clutchco (Pty) Ltd v Davis (GF 5570) [Comrie AJA, 24.03.2005] [2005] 2 All SA 225 & [2005] JOL 14039 (SCA)
[Appeal succeeded – circumstances must warrant access to information]Paarwater v South Sahara Investments (Pty) Ltd (GF 5877) [Zulman JA, 3.03.05] [2004] 4 All SA 185 & [2005] JOL 13832 (SCA)
[Winding-up – just & equitable – s344(h) – onus – balance of probabilities] [Labour Appeal Court – 2007]Engen Petroleum Ltd v CCMA (Mashale) (GF 6606) [Zondo JP, 4.05.2007] [2007] 8 BLLR 707; (2007) 28 ILJ 1507 & [2007] JOL 20042 (LAC)
[Appeal allowed – fair dismissal related to misconduct- award and LC review set aside – employer’s decision to terminate not so excessive as to shock a sense of fairness or that no reasonable employer would have so decided – harsh criticism of SCA decision in Rustenburg Platinum – see now GF 6778 (CC)][High Court – 2006 onwards]
Erasmus v Platinum 5 Cuisine (Pty) Ltd (GF 6855) [Pretorius J, 30.10.2007] [2007] JOL 20969 (HC-TPD)
[Application refused – dispute involved termination of employment & disciplinary enquiry – essentially a labour matter – HC not having jurisdiction]Gihwala NO v Brown NO (GF 6660) [Dlodlo J, 4.06.2007] [2007] JOL 20078 (HC-CPD)
[Application granted – trustees & directors – ordered to forfeit rights to property – breach of fiduciary duties – fraudulent manipulation of funds – Companies Act 61/1973 sec 234]Klein NO v Minister of Trade & Industry (GF 6282) [Prinsloo J, 24.08.2006] [2007] 1 All SA 257; 2007 (1) SA 218 & [2006] JOL 18111 (HC-TPD)
[Application granted – true meaning & interpretation of Companies Act s 261(2) – obligatory to forward report to company – Minister does not have a discretion]Allaclas Investments (Pty) Ltd v Milnerton GC (GF 6297) [Traverso DJP, 24.08.2006]
2007 (2) SA 40 & [2006] JOL 18160 (HC-CPD)
[Application refused – body corporate – alleged failure to prevent nuisance from golf balls landing in private properties – appeal allowed and order set aside – see GF 6862 (SCA)]Wire Electrical (Pty) Ltd t/a Wilec v Yssel NO (GF 6240) [Murphy J, 30.06.2006] [2006] JOL 17906 (HC-TPD)
[Application refused – close corporation – CCA s64 – alleged asset stripping no proved]Refrigeration Equipment Co (Pty) Ltd v Ford (GF 6211) [Liebenberg J, 30.05.2006] [2006] JOL 17758 (HC-SECLD)
[Application refused – no unlawful competition – no breach of fiduciary duty by employee]Mgoqi v City of Cape Town; City of CT v Mgoqi (GF 6135) [Van Zyl J et al, 19.05.2006] [2006] 9 BLLR 873; (2006) 27 ILJ 1422; 2006 (4) SA 355; [2006] JOL 17349 (HC-CPD)
[Purported extension of City Manager’s contract unlawful and invalid – ordered to vacate office – various defences rejected – leave to appeal refused – leave to appeal to CC also refused]TWK Agriculture Ltd v NCT Forestry Co-Operative Ltd (GF 6094) [Theron J, 4.04.2006]
2006 (6) SA 20 & [2006] JOL 17128 (HC-NPD)
[Exception dismissed – proper plaintiff rule – exception: fraud on minority – derivative action – part of SA law – applicable to co-operatives as well][High Court – 2005]
Torgos (Pty) Ltd v Body Corporate of Anchors Aweigh (GF 6272) [Satchwell J, 29.11.2005] [2006] JOL 18060 (HC-WLD)
[Application granted – Sectional Titles Act 5 of 1986 s 25 – cession of right of extension – body corporate lacked authority – agreement void ab initio]DCHAWU v Master of the High Court (GF 6095) [Bosielo J, 11.05.2005] [2006] JOL 17093 (HC-TPD)
[Application granted – set aside Master’s appointment of liquidator – wishes of trade union’s members not considered]IDASA v African National Congress (GF 5726) [Griesel [BM] J, 20.04.2005] [2005] 3 All SA 45 & 2005 (10) BCLR 995 (HC-CPD)
[Application refused – Constitution s32 – no independent cause of action]
[Labour Court]
Nel v City of Johannesburg (GF 7196) [Mokgoatlheng J, 30.06.2008] [2008] JOL 22265 (LC)
[Application refused – legal adviser of divisional property business transferred – post vanished in new structure – refused offer of alternative post – no legal obligation to create similar post – operational requirements paramount]Dercksen v Webb (GF 7131) [Masipa J et al, 19.10.2007]
(2008) 29 ILJ 1410 (HC-WLD)
[Allowed appeal in part – alleged gross dishonesty – private investigator making statements in presence of fellow employees – claim for damages based on injuria not upheld – damages awarded against private investigator for defamation – employer not vicariously liable for conduct of investigator – privilege discussed]Hood v Association of Retired Persons & Pensioners (GF 5903) [Murphy AJ, 7.12.2005] [2006] 3 BLLR 311; (2006) 27 ILJ 1017 & [2006] JOL 16378 (LC)
[Review application granted – award set aside – was an employee – remitted]
[Arbitration Awards]
Kambile / Power Plant (GFA 2472) [Brand [F], 27.05.2005] [2006] 1 BALR 66 (CCMA)
[Jurisdictional issues -services terminated by company resolution – not depriving CCMA of jurisdiction- rescheduled for hearing – discussed unlawful & unfair][Journal Articles – 2007]
[W Hutchinson CLL (2007) 16/10 p107-110 – ‘The reasoning of arbitrators and commissioners: requirements of policy and law’ – Rusplats (SCA) – GF6306 ] [W Hutchinson CLL (2007) 16/12 p125-130 – ‘The courts & the “reasonable employer”: where does the CCMA’s right to overturn an employer’s decision on dismissal begin & end?’ – Engen (LAC) – GF 6606; Rusplats (SCA) – GF 6306 & Arries (LC) – GF 6260] [PAK le Roux & KL Young CLL (2007) 17/03 p21 – ‘The role of reasonableness in dismissal: the constitutional court looks at who has the final say’ Sidumo (CC) – GF 6778] [AA Landman CLL 08/2008 71 “Employment & dismissal of sex offenders; The … : employer obligations under new Criminal Law Amendment Act”] [C Garbers CLL 09/2008 84 “Reviewing CCMA awards in the aftermath of Sidumo: How the Labour Court has been reacting to landmark judgment” – Sidumo (CC) – GF 6778] [F Ponnelis CLL 12/2008 111 “Payment of benefits due to deceased employees: remuneration, retirement & pension dismissal claims”] [J Grogan EL (2007) 23/5 p 4 “Locking horns: whose idea of fairness counts?” – GF 6306 & GF 6606 ] [J Grogan EL (2007) 23/6 p 3 “Two-edged sword: The CC’s ruling in Rustplats” – GF 6778] [P Benjamin ILJ (2007) 28/1 p 1 – “Friend or Foe? The Impact of Judicial Decisions on the Operation of the CCMA”] [C Cooper ILJ (2008) 29/04 p 881 “Towards a flexible labour market by Davies, P & Freedland M (Book review)] [AA Landman ILJ (2008) 29/04 p 885 “Employment contract and the changing world of work; The … By Vettori, S (Book Review)”] [J Grogan LLSG 06/2007 p3-8 – ‘Reasonable employer v reasonable commissioner’ Engen (LAC) – GF 6606 & Rusplats (SCA) – GF 6306] [J Grogan LLSG 10/2007 p1-7 – ‘Back on guard’ Sidumo (CC) – GF 6778; Engen (LAC) – GF 6606 & Rusplats (SCA) – GF 6306] [Darcy du Toit SALJ (2008) 125:1:95 ‘Oil on troubled waters? The slippery interface between the contract of employment and statutory labour law’] [I Esser THRHR (2007) 70(3) p407 – ‘Stakeholder protection: the position of employees’] [M Havenga TSAR (2007) 1 p169 – ‘Appropriation of corporate opportunities by directors and employees – Phillips v Fieldstone (Pty) Ltd’ – GF 5249 (SCA)][Journal Articles – 2006]
[SM Luiz CILSA (2006) 39(1) p 57 – ‘An appropriate regime for the remuneration of executives’] [KL Young CLL (2006) 16/04 pp 41-47 – ‘Applying the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA) to labour review proceedings’ – Rustenburg Platinum Mines (SCA) – GF 6306] [W Hutchinson CLL (2006) 16/04 pp 47-50 – ‘Defining the role of commissioners and Labour Court judges’ – Rustenburg Platinum Mines (SCA) – GF 6306] [J Grogan EL (2006) 22/2 p19-20 –Case roundup – Hood (LC)] [J Grogan EL (2006) 22/2 p20 –Case roundup – Kambile (CCMA)] [J Grogan EL (2006) 22/6 p 11 – “SCA revisits review“ – Rustenburg Plats (SCA) – GF 6306] [D du Toit ILJ (2006) 27/7 pp 1311-1341 – “The Evolution of the Concept of `Unfair Discrimination’ in South African Labour Law” & IDASA v ANC (HC)] [Mia Ronnmar ILJ(UK) (2006) 35: 56-74 – Managerial prerogative & the employee’s obligation to work: comparative perspectives on functional flexibility] [Douglas Brodie ILJ(UK) (2006) 35: 87-92 – The enterprise & the borrowed worker (recent cases)] [Mark Bell ILJ(UK) (2006) 35: 179-185 – `Employment Law Consequences of the Civil Partnership Act 2004‘] [H Sher JBL (2006) 14(2) p 87 – `The overhaul of South African corporate law: the proposed first steps’] [M McGregor JBL (2006) 14(4) p 150 – ‘Globalization and decent work (part 1): a survey of general principles’] [P Bolton LDD (2006) 10(1) p25 – `The exclusion of contractors from government contract awards’] [J Grogan LLSG 02/2006 p8 – Hood v ARPP (LC)] [J Grogan LLSG 10/2006 p2 – Rustenburg Platinum Mines (SCA) – GF 6306] [S Kennedy-Good & L Coetzee Obiter (2006) 27(1) p 62 – `The business judgment rule. Part 1′] [F Marais & L Coetzee Obiter (2006) 27(1) p 111 – `The determination of black ownership in companies for the purpose of black economic empowerment. Part 1′] [LJ Kotze & C Bosman Obiter (2006) 27(1) p 128 – `A legal analysis of the proposed waste discharge system in terms of the South African environmental and water law framework’] [A Paterson SALJ (2006) 123(1) p 52 – ‘Fuelling the sustainable development debate in South Africa’] [T-L Field SALJ (2006) 123(3) p 409 – ‘Sustainable development versus environmentalism: competing paradigms for the South African ETA regime’] [FHI Cassim SALJ (2006) 123(4) p595 – “ex parte Standard Bank Group Ltd & Liberty Life Ltd: black economic empowerment schemes & s 38(2)(d) of the Companies Act”] [JL Yeats SALJ (2006) 123(4) p610 – “The drafters’ dilemma: some comments on the Corporate Laws Reform Bill, 2006“] [M Havenga SAMLJ (2006) 18(2) p 229 – `Directors’ co-liability for delicts’] [I-R Esser SAMLJ (2006) 18(3) p 395 – (Book Review) `Corporate Governance’ by T Wixley & G Everingham] [JL Levin SAMLJ (2006) 18(4) p456 – “Considering the legitimacy of government measures to introduce Black Economic Empowerment [BEE] legislation”] [S Luiz & K van der Merwe SAMLJ (2006) 18(4) p473 – “Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment [BBEE]: some challenges in measuring ownership of companies”] [P Bolton Stell LR (2006) 17(2) p 266 – `Scope for negotiating and/or varying the terms of government contracts awarded by way of a tender process’] [F van Zyl Stell LR (2006) 17(2) p 333 – `Codes of conduct for the Financial Services Industry’] [L Hawthorne THRHR (2006) 69(1) p48 – Distribution of wealth, the dependency theory & law of contract] [APS van der Merwe THRHR (2006) 69(1) p122 – Business methods, technology & patentability] [SP van Zyl THRHR (2006) 69(1) p139 – Online defamation: who is to blame?] [O Sibanda THRHR (2006) 69(1) p146 – Impact of SA statutes against corruption on international business & trade (in Afrikaans)] [D van der Merwe THRHR (2006) 69(2) p318 – `Enkele gedagtes oor mobiele handeldryf of m-handel (“m-commerce”)’] [N Smit TSAR (2006) 1 p152 – Labour is not a commodity: social perspective on flexibility & market requirements within a global world] [F van Zyl TSAR (2006) 3 p510 – `Codes of conduct for the financial services industry’][Journal Articles – 2005]
[D Millard De Jure (2005) 38(2) p223 – corporate social responsibility in the Insurance Industry (disability)] [J Grogan EL (2005) 21/4 p3 – PG Group (LC)] [Iain Steele ILJ(UK) (2005) 34: 338-344 – choice of comparators in equal pay claims] [Woolley & Costas JBL (2005) 13(1) p2 – directors’ liability] [De Lange JBL (2005) 13(1) p13 – UK reform] [J Bourne JBL (2005) 13(3) p 90 – Accounting & auditing reform: Sarbanes-Oxley Act] [H Sher JBL (2005) 13(3) p 129 – Directors duties & responsibilities] [S Shandu Obiter (2005) 26(1) p 87 – shareholders’ interests v social demands] [O Sibanda Obiter (2005) 26(2) p 371 – sustainable environmental protection in WTO] [M Havenga Obiter (2005) 26(3) p 609 – `Regulating directors’ duties & South African company law reform’] [Irene-marie Esser Obiter (2005) 26(3) p 719 – `The enlightened-shareholder-value approach versus plurism in the management of companies’] [J Church Obiter (2005) 26(3) p 740 – `Small business and the changing environmental ethos’] [FHI Cassim SALJ (2005) 122(3) p 493 – Companies Act s 38(2)] [G Budlender SALJ (2005) 122(4) p 715 – Transforming the judiciary: the politics of the judiciary in the democratic SA] [T-L Field SALJ (2005) 122(4) p 725 – Public participation in environmental decision-making] [M Kelly-Louw SALJ (2005) 122(4) p 7?? – Selling or Leasing Property] [Luiz SAMLJ (2005) 17(1) p 115 – Directors’ payment re loss of office] [AH Dekker & Cronje SAMLJ (2005) 17(1) p19 – BEE] [M Havenga SAMLJ (2005) 17(2) p 137 – Duties of company chairman] [JS McLennan SAMLJ (2005) 17(2) p 195 – Reflective losses] [M van Jaarsveld SAMLJ (2005) 17(3) p 261 – BEE & skills development] [André Rabie Stell LR (2005) 16/1 p 77 – biosphere reserves] [J van der Walt Stell LR (2005) 16(2) p244 – ‘Law: the sacrificial tension between justice and economics’] [J Hamers, K Schwarz & BS Bisschop Stell LR (2005) 16(2) p298 – ‘Corporate social responsibility trends in the Netherlands and Europe’] [S Lombard THRHR (2005) 68(4) p 614 – statutory business judgment rule] [Kilian & Du Plessis TSAR (2005) 1 p48 – remedies – dividends] [V Etsebeth TSAR (2005) 2 p274 – Information Age] [V Etsebeth TSAR (2005) 4 p784 – Risk management & King II]2004 & EARLIER
[Constitutional Court]
Rail Commuters AG v Transnet Ltd t/a Metrorail (GF 5612) [O’Regan J, 26.11.2004]
2005 (4) BCLR 301 (CC)
[Supreme Court of Appeal]
Van der Walt v PRP & Communications CC (GF 5496) [Van Heerden JA, 29.11.04] [2004] JOL 13261 (SCA)
[Fiduciary duties of members of close corporation]Minister, Prov & L Govt, RSA v Unrecognised TLLP(S)) (GF 5460) [Jafta AJA, 29.09.04] [2005] 1 All SA 559 & [2004] JOL 13034 (SCA)
[Appeal disallowed – entitlement to information – report not “obtained”][High Court]
Industro-Clean (Pty) Ltd v Saincic (GF 5990) [Basson J, 12.08.2004] [2006] JOL 16637 (HC-TPD)
[Directors personally liable for fraudulent & reckless management of company – appeal allowed by SCA in 2006 (GF 6313)]Liebenberg NO v Mount Edgecombe CCEMA II (GF 6087) [Levinsohn J, 28.07.2004] [2006] JOL 17117 (HC-DCLD)
[Application refused – right to accredit certain suppliers]Rothauge v SA Reserve Bank (GF 5611) [Botha J, 21.04.2004] [2005] JOL 13294 (HC-T)
[Shareholders can claim indirect damages for loss of shareholder value]Maritz & Pieterse Inc (In liquidation) v Maritz (GF 5954) [Hartzenberg J, 7.10.2003] [2006] JOL 16551 (HC-TPD)
[See appeal to SCA above]
[Labour Court]
PG Group (Pty) Ltd v Mbambo NO [PTP Clatworthy] (GF 5473) [Revelas J, 26.10.2004] [2005] 1 BLLR 71; (2004) 25 ILJ 2366 & [2004] JOL 13148 (LC)
[Director also an employee – review application refused][Journal Articles – 2004]
[Esser & Coetzee JBL (2004) 12(1) p26] [Alastair Smith JBL (2004) 12(1) p48] [C Bosch LDD (2004) 8(2) p289 – `Defining the parameters of employment: the position of the company shareholder & close corporation member’] [J Grogan LLSG 12/2004 – PG Group] [A Rycroft SAJCJ (2004) 17(2) p141] [Rochelle le Roux SAJCJ (2004) 17(2) p 158] [Jean J du Plessis SAMLJ (2004) 16(3) p 308] [J Hund SAPL (2004) 19(1) p 25 – globalisation & rule of law] [P Bolton SAPL (2004) 19(1) p 90 – govt contracts & fettering discretion] [T Mongalo THRHR (2004) 67(2) p264] [BPS van Eck & S Lombard TSAR (2004) 1 p20] [T Mongalo TSAR (2004) 1 p96][Journal Articles – 2003 & earlier]
[De Jager TSAR (2002) 2 p205 & (2002) 4 p713] [Douvelos TSAR (2003) 1 p110]
