Mandament Van Spolie Case Study

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1. a. A mandament van spolie is a possessory remedy, which results in the “… recovery of lost possession….” However, the mandament van spolie is only available if the right to possession has been seriously infringed upon by the respondent(s). In other words it can only be granted if the actions of the respondent prevent the “… possessor from using the property as he [so] wishes…”.
In addition to this, the applicant has to prove that he/she has had undisturbed possession of the object whether it be movable or immovable and that he/she was unlawfully, forcibly or wrongfully deprived of said possession. This also applies when “…a person has been deprived unlawfully of his quasi-possession of a movable or immovable incorporeal.”
Once these requirements are met the court is able to restore the status quo ante. It is important to note that even the “…possession by a thief is protected … [due to the fact] that [whether the] possession is wrongful or illegal is irrelevant as that would go to the merits of the dispute.” This is to ensure that no one is able to take the law into one’s hand and that no one can forcibly or wrongfully remove one’s possession (without one’s consent).

This is evident in the case of Afzal v Kalim since the applicant proved that he had undisturbed possession of his property and master bedroom and that the respondent (who co-owned but was not in possession of the property) wrongfully deprived him of said possessions, thus a mandement van spolie was granted.

b. Rule nisi means to show cause. This means that the judgement of the court is final and binding unless the respondent can show any legal justifiable cause or defence as to why the judgement should not apply or be granted. This needs to be ...

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...ds to give the lessee and local municipality a written notice two weeks (14 days) before the matter is due to be heard in court. In the notice the date, time and venue where the matter is going to heard needs to be stated clearly. If the lessee has been occupying the property for more than six months the municipality needs to provide a report to the court stating its “…ability to provide alternative accommodation, should the lessee be evicted.” In addition the applicant and the lessee need to provide all relevant information to the court so that it may make a just and equitable judgement.

This in turn protects the lessee and the owner, as their rights and circumstances are taken into account, thereby ensuring that the parties are not exploited. In addition to this, the requirements as stipulated in PIE ensures that the values of the constitution are upheld.

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