Research Articles (Mercantile Law)

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Insolvency, employment disqualification, and precarity
(LexisNexis, 2024-05) Mabe, Zingapi; Maloka, Tumo Charles
Hierdie artikel ondersoek die diskwalifikasie van insolvente persone om sekere beroepe te mag beoefen en die uitwerking daarvan op hulle vermoë om 'n inkomste te verdien. Die gevolge van sodanige diskwalifikasie is beide voor die hand liggend en gevarieerd. Die eerste aspek om in ag te neem is dat sekwestrasie van 'n skuldenaar se boedel insolvente skuldenaars van sekere regte ontneem en hulle regsbevoegdhede om te kontrakteer en te litigeer, asook om sekere ampte te beklee of om sekere beroepe te volg, beperk. Die tweede aspek hou verband met die erodering van moontlikhede om 'n lewensbestaan te maak – asook van werksekerheid. Die vermoë om 'n inkomste te verdien is 'n sentrale anker van die sekuriteit van indiensneming en burgerskap. Sodanige diskwalifikasie vererger die onsekerheid van indiensneming en belemmer die uitbreiding van grondwetlike en statutêre indiensnemingsbeskerming. Alhoewel die sekwestrasie van die boedel van 'n persoon nie daardie persoon se dienskontrak noodwendig outomaties beëindig nie, word toegang tot statutêre onbillike ontslagremedies ingevolge artikel 186 van die Wet op Arbeidsverhoudinge 66 van 1995 verswak omrede diensbeëindiging as gevolg van insolvensie analoog is aan geagte ontslag. Die artikel voer aan dat sodanige diskwalifikasie en daaropvolgende uitdiensstelling onvermydelik aanleiding gee tot onsekerheid van 'n lewensbestaan vir die insolvent.
Same-sex marriages, customary law, and insolvency
(LexisNexis, 2024-11) Mabe, Zingapi
In hierdie aantekening word artikel 21 van die Insolvensiewet 24 van 1936, in die besonder soos dit toepassing vind op paartjies van dieselfde geslag wat hulle huwelik in ooreenstemming met hulle kultuur onderhandel en gesluit het. Die aantekening fokus veral daarop of artikel 21 van toepassing is op insolvente skuldenaars in ŉ burgerlike verbintenis ingevolge die Wet op Burgerlike Verbintenisse 17 van 2006, en wat begerig is dat hulle verbintenis of huwelik erken moet word ingevolge die Wet op Erkenning van Gebruiklike Huwelike 120 van 1998. Die aangeleentheid word bespreek of artikel 21 van toepassing is op insolvente skuldenaars wat nie in ŉ burgerlike verbintenis staan nie, maar wat ŉ gebruiklike huwelik aangegaan het deurdat hulle lobolo betaal het, geskenke uitgeruil, en hulle verbintenis ooreenkomstig die inheemse gewoontereg bevestig het. Laastens ondersoek ek of artikel 21 van toepassing sal wees op ŉ poligame selfdegeslag gebruiklike huwelik. My gevolgtrekking is dat die definisie van “gade” in artikel 21(13) van die Insolvensiewet nie tussen lewende gewoontereg en amptelike gewoontereg onderskei nie, en dat dit bloot na enige gebruik verwys. Die bedoeling blyk dus te wees dat artikel 21 bestem was om van toepassing te wees op alle huwelike wat ooreenkomstig enige gebruik in Suid-Afrika gesluit is, ingevolge wetgewing al dan nie. ŉ Moeiliker kwessie wat uitgelig word, is egter die hantering van ŉ poligame selfdegeslag gebruiklike huwelik.
The solvent spouse's obligation to claim release of property - revisiting section 21 of the Insolvency Act 24 of 1936 : Van Dyk v Donnovan Theodore Majiedt Inc (4070/2021) [2021] ZAFSHC 246 (22 October 2021)
(LexisNexis, 2024-11) Boraine, A. (Andre), 1957-; Roestoff, Melanie
Hierdie vonnisbespreking handel oor vrae wat voortspruit uit die uitspraak van die Vrystaatse Hoë Hof in Van Dyk v Donnovan Theodore Majiedt Inc (4070/2021) [2021] ZAFSHC 246 (22 Oktober 2021) waar die hof die voorlopige kurators se bevoegdheid ingevolge artikel 18(3) van die Insolvensiewet 24 van 1936, om bates van ŉ insolvente boedel te verkoop, bevestig het. Alhoewel die uitspraak nie in hierdie opsig gekritiseer kan word nie, laat dit sekere vrae ontstaan na aanleiding van punte in limine wat die applikant, ŉ skuldeiser wat tussenbeide getree het, en die gade van die insolvent wat buite gemeenskap van goed met hom getroud is, geopper het. Die applikant het, onder andere, beweer dat haar insolvente gade ŉ bedrag geld aan haar geskuld het op grond van ŉ leningsooreenkoms wat sy met hom gesluit het. Die hof het nie hierdie eis of skuldoorsaak op die feite aanvaar nie. Die uitspraak dui egter daarop dat die beweerde eis in die insolvente boedel van die man gevestig het en dat die solvente gade dus eers vrygawe daarvan van die kurator sou moes eis alvorens sy daarop sou kon staatmaak (a 21 van die Insolvensiewet 24 van 1936). In hierdie bespreking, en in die lig van kritiek teen artikel 21 en ontwikkelings elders, word aangevoer dat hierdie uitspraak nog ŉ voorbeeld van die kritiek teen die artikel daarstel. Daar word aan die hand gedoen dat artikel 21 onhoudbaar in ŉ moderne insolvensieregstelsel is en dat daar meer aanvaarbare maniere is om met die aangeleentheid wat artikel 21 wil aanspreek, te handel. Daar word ook aangevoer dat selfs die aanvanklike rede vir die invoering van ŉ artikel 21-tipe bepaling – om die bewyslas vir die kurator te vergemaklik in die aanval op gesimuleerde transaksies tussen gades wat daarop gemik is om skuldeisers te bedrieg – nie hierdie toepassing van artikel 21 sou ondersteun nie.
The taxpayer’s right to just administrative action and access to information : empowering the taxpayer through plain language standards
(LexisNexis, 2024-11) Van Zyl, Stephanus Phillipus
Om sowel die reg tot billike administratiewe aksie in artikel 33, as die reg tot inligting in artikel 32 van die Grondwet van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika, 1996 te laat geskied, bepaal artikel 42 van die Wet op Belastingadministrasie 28 van 2011 dat die belastingbetaler oor die aanvang, vordering, en gevolg van die oudit ingelig moet word. Artikel 80J van die Wet op Inkomstebelasting 58 van 1961 bepaal dat die kommissaris die belastingbetaler oor die redes moet inlig waarom daar op artikel 80B van die Wet staat gemaak word. Bykomend bepaal reël 6 van die Belastinghofreëls dat belastingbetalers wat deur ŉ assessering gegrief voel, die Suid-Afrikaanse Inkomstediens (SAID) mag versoek om voldoende redes vir die assessering te verskaf. Belastingpraktisyns gee te kenne dat die SAID se kommunikasie met belastingbetalers nie aan die statutêre verpligting voldoen nie. Om dié probleem verder te omskryf en moontlike oplossings te verken, oorweeg hierdie bydrae die omvang en toepassing van die wetlike verantwoordelikheid om die belastingbetaler ingelig te hou. Die artikel verwys onder meer na die beginsels van goeie etiese en praktiese kommunikasie binne die kader van gewonetaalpraktyke. Die artikel het verder ten doel om ŉ standaard te skep vir die inhoud, taal en vooruitsig van ŉ artikel 42-kennisgewing ingevolge van die Belastingadministrasiewet, ŉ artikel 80J-kennisgewing ingevolge van die Inkomstebelastingwet, en die verskaffing van voldoende redes ingevolge reël 6 van die Belastinghofreëls.
Dignity and the purpose of labour law
(Juta Law Journals, 2024-10) Orton, Ruben Joseph Charles
The article advances the notion in the context of South African labour law that the purpose of labour law is to protect the human dignity of employees. In doing so, it deviates from the accepted idea that the purpose of labour law in South Africa is to restrict the power of employers to impose their will in the employment relationship so that employees are treated fairly. Dignity is furthermore integrated and conceptualised in a manner that enhances its substantive use in labour law. This is achieved by adjusting the test for fairness of labour practices and by presenting a dignity framework. The framework consists of two dignity models: the ‘same-kind dignity model’ and the ‘self-fulfilment dignity model’. The framework furthermore harnesses the social justice rules that are applied in South African labour law to resolve the perceived tension between individualistic and communitarian facets of dignity.
The application of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act on impairment caused by sexual harassment
(Juta Law Journals, 2023) Newaj, Kamalesh
This article addresses the question of whether a sexually harassed employee has recourse to the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 130 of 1993. This is dependent on whether injuries or diseases sustained as a result of sexual harassment can be regarded as injuries or diseases that arise out of and in the course of employment. A very restrictive test has been developed to answer this question, which is whether the act giving rise to the injury or disease, in this context sexual harassment, can be regarded as a risk inherent to the work performed by the employee. The test focuses on the duties performed by the employee and the risks that are ordinarily inherent in the performance of those duties. Sexual harassment will generally not be regarded as a risk inherent to the performance of a job and is therefore discounted as an occupational injury or occupational disease. However, the courts’ approach is criticised for failing to interpret important social security legislation in line with international standards and in a purposive manner that gives effect to the constitutional right afforded to everyone to access social security.
Tax disputes : closing the doors of the High Court to a “special case” – open justice as against the taxpayer’s right to privacy
(LexisNexis, 2024-05) Meyer, Carolina
In Suid-Afrika is sittings van die Belastinghof nie oop vir die publiek nie, ingevolge artikel 124 van die Wet op Belastingadministrasie 28 van 2011. Daarbenewens maak artikel 132 van dié voorsiening daarvoor dat die Belastinghof se uitspraak gepubliseer moet word sonder om die identiteit van die belastingbetaler te openbaar. Verder geniet belastingbetalers die vertroulikheid van belastingbetalerinligting ingevolge hoofstuk 6 van dié Wet. Die vertroulikheid van belastingbetalerinligting word dikwels beskryf as die hoeksteen van enige belastingstelsel. Desnieteenstande vervat artikel 32 van die Wet op Hoër Howe 10 van 2013 die beginsel van oop geregtigheid ingevolge waarvan verrigtinge in enige Hoër Hof in 'n oop hof moet plaasvind, tensy daar 'n “spesiale geval” bestaan. Indien hierdie “spesiale geval” bewys word, kan die hof van die norm van openbare geregtigheid afwyk en toelaat dat die aangeleentheid agter geslote deure (in camera) aangehoor word. So 'n spesiale saak is nie deur die belastingbetaler in Structured Mezzanine Investments (Pty) Ltd v CSARS (1824/2021) [2022] ZAECGHC (12 April 2022) (of in die opvolgende appèlsaak) beredeneer nie. Die vraag bly dus staan: onder watter omstandighede sal 'n belastingverwante dispuut kwalifiseer as 'n “spesiale geval”? Verder, waar die belastingverwante geskille na Hoër Howe vorder in die litigasieproses geld die beginsel Jan Publiek. Dit kan 'n beduidende verandering wees vir 'n belastingbetaler wie se identiteit en belastingbetalerinligting nie bekend gemaak is tydens die verhoor in die Belastinghof of in die gepublisdeerde uitspraak nie (aangesien die Belastinghofverrigtinge in camera plaasvind), maar wat nou vind dat hierrdie inligting en sy identiteit in die oop hof bekend gemaak word, soos wat die litigasieproses verder vorder. In hierdie artikel oorweeg ek wanneer daar 'n “spesiale geval” sal bestaan in geval van 'n belastingverwante geskil; indien dit wel bestaan, sal dit die Hoë Hof noop om sy deure te sluit vir die aanhoor van die dispuut. Troef die belastingbetaler se reg op privaatheid die beginsel van oop geregtigheid?
The law of obligations, tax debts, in-solvency, and the dissipation of assets to the prejudice of the fiscus
(LexisNexis, 2024-02) Van Zyl, Stephanus Phillipus; Keulder, Carike
Section 183 of the Tax Administration Act (“TAA”) provides that any person who knowingly assists a taxpayer in dissipating that taxpayer’s assets in order to obstruct the collection of a tax debt of that taxpayer, is jointly and severally liable with that taxpayer for the tax debt to the extent that the person’s assistance in dissipating the assets reduces the assets available to be sold in execution to pay for the tax debt. Considering this provision, the following pertinent question arise: What constitutes a tax debt that triggers the liability of a person who knowingly dissipates the assets of a taxpayer? To answer this question, we consider the definition of a “tax debt” and whether the “tax debt” needs to be due or payable and if so, when does it need to be due or payable? For the evaluation pertaining to “due or payable,” we consider the law of obligations, the position regarding a tax-payer being held liable for his/her own tax debt and third-party liabilities as regard to tax debts. This article is further enriched by a discussion of the impeachable transaction provisions in the Insolvency Act 24 of 1936 as well the scope and application of the actio Pauliana (the common law action for setting aside impeachable transactions). The purpose of the insolvency component is to draw an analogy between the rights of a common creditor in civil proceedings and that of SARS where the debtor (the taxpayer in this case) entered into transactions for the dissipation of assets (or transactions which has the effect that the debtor can no longer pay their debt) which prefers one creditor above another or which is to the detriment of the creditor(s).
A fair and reasonable exit from a company under section 163(2) of the Companies Act 71 of 2008'
(Pretoria University Law Press, 2025) Swart, Willem Jacobus Christiaan; Lombard, M.
No abstract available.
The court’s power to appoint a liquidator in terms of section 163 of the Companies Act 71 of 2008
(Juta Law Journals, 2024) Swart, Willem Jacobus Christiaan; Boraine, A. (Andre), 1957-
In Berlein v Salisburg Landy (Pty) Ltd ((3330/20) 2023 ZAMPMBHC 52 (26 Sept 2023)) het die hof ’n likwidateur kragtens artikel 163(2)(b) van die Maatskappywet 71 van 2008 aangestel. Die beslissing word gekritiseer eerstens omdat regshulp kragtens artikel 163(2) toegestaan is sonder dat ’n aansoek op grond van artikel 163 voor die hof gedien het. ’n Hof het geen diskresie om regshulp kragtens artikel 163(2) uit te oefen alvorens die gronde in artikel 163(1) bewys is nie. Tweedens het die hof ten spyte van die wye diskresie wat dit ingevolge artikel 163(2) geniet, ’n likwidateur aangestel terwyl daar verskeie alternatiewe en meer gepaste vorms van regshulp tot die hof se beskikking was wat minder drastiese gevolge vir die maatskappy en ander belanghebbendes sou inhou. Die feite en beslissing in hierdie saak lig sekere probleme en potensiële probleme met betrekking tot die formulering van artikel 163(2)(b) van die wet toe. Artikel 163(2)(b) van die wet wat die hof magtig om ’n likwidateur aan te stel, word vergelyk met artikel 241(3)(b) van die Kanadese Corporations Act (RSC 1985 c C-44) en artikel 233(2) van die Australiese Corporations Act 2001. Die regsposisie in Engeland word ook oorweeg. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat alhoewel die regshulp in die laasgenoemde bepalings in die Kanadese en Australiese reg oënskynlik soortgelyk is aan die regshulp wat in artikel 163(2)(b) vervat is, is daar belangrike verskille in die formulering daarvan. Die bewoording van artikel 163(2)(b) van die wet is boonop uit pas met ander bestaande Suid-Afrikaanse regsbeginsels en statutêre bepalings in die volgende opsig: In Suid-Afrika word ’n likwidateur aangestel deur die meester van die hooggeregshof en nie deur ’n hof nie. Kragtens artikel 163(2)(b) kan ’n likwidateur aangestel word wanneer dit vir die hof voorkom dat die betrokke maatskappy insolvent is. Die bewoording van hierdie artikel is problematies, aangesien die hof blykbaar nou die likwidasie van ’n maatskappy kan beveel sonder enige konkrete gronde of bewyse dat die maatskappy insolvent is. Daar word gevolglik geargumenteer dat die hof se vertolking van artikel 163(2)(b) foutief is aangesien die hof nagelaat het om artikel 163(2)(b) saam met die gronde vermeld in artikel 163 te lees. Die hof se bevinding dat blote bewerings van wanbestuur aanduidend is van ’n maatskappy se insolvensie wat ’n bevel kragtens artikel 163(2)(b) regverdig, word ook krities onder die loep geneem. Die outeurs beveel enkele wysigings tot artikel 163(2)(b) aan.
The derivative action and a member's authority to represent a close corporation in terms of section 54 of the Close Corporations Act 69 of 1984 - Naidoo v Dube Tradeport Corp 2022 3 SA 390 (SCA)
(LexisNexis, 2022-11) Swart, Willem Jacobus Christiaan
Die afgeleide aksie en 'n lid se bevoegdheid om 'n beslote korporasie kragtens artikel 54 van die Wet op Beslote Korporasies 69 van 1984 te verteenwoordig In Naidoo v Dube Tradeport Corp 2022 3 SA 390 (SCA) moes die hof beslis oor 'n eksepsie wat aangeteken is teen 'n besonderhede van vordering waarin die tersydestelling van die verkoop en oordrag van onroerende eiendom deur 'n beslote korporasie (as verkoper) aan die koper geeis is. Die beslote korporasie is tydens die transaksie deur die korporasie se enigste lid verteenwoordig. Volgens die besonderhede van vordering was die lid van die korporasie nie gemagtig om die verkoopskontrak aan te gaan nie, omdat die lid slegs genomineer was om die ledebelang te hou namens die voordelige houer. Een van die aspekte waaroor die Hoogste Hof van Appel moes beslis, was of die voordelige houer op grond van die gemeenregtelike afgeleide aksie (soos bevestig in Foss v Harbottle (1843) 2 Hare 461; 67 ER 189) 'n aksie namens die beslote korporasie teen die koper en die genomineerde houer van die ledebelang kon instel. Die lid se beweerde gebrek aan magtiging is deur die koper op grond van artikel 54 van die Wet op Beslote Korporasies 69 van 1984 ("die Wet") betwis. Die Hoogste Hof van Appel het beslis dat die beginsels in Foss op beslote korporasies van toepassing is. Verder is beslis dat die koper, op grond van sy kennis van die dispuut tussen die genomineerde houer en die voordelige houer van die ledebelang, nie op artikel 54 kon steun nie. In hierdie bespreking word die hof se interpretasie van artikel 54 in die konteks van die interne en eksterne verhoudinge van 'n beslote korporasie beoordeel. Ek neem ook die regsverhouding tussen die beslote korporasie en die genomineerde houer en voordelige houer van 'n ledebelang in oenskou. Ek kritiseer die hof se verwysing en toepassing van die leerstuk van toegerekende kennis in die konteks van artikel 54 op grond van die bepalings in die Wet en regspraak wat beslis het dat die kennisleerstuk nie op gewone persoonlike of vorderingsregte van toepassing is nie.
Voluntary business rescue proceedings : to initiate, to begin, or to commence liquidation proceedings - is there a difference?
(LexisNexis, 2022-02) Swart, Willem Jacobus Christiaan
Ondernemingsreddingsverrigtinge kan begin word deur 'n hofbevel of 'n besluit van die direksie. Artikel 129(2)(a) van die Wet op Maatskappye verbied egter 'n direksie om 'n maatskappy onder ondernemingsredding te plaas indien daar reeds stappe geneem is om die maatskappy in likwidasie te plaas. Omdat artikel 129(2)(a) verwys na likwidasie-verrigtinge wat teen die maatskappy "initiated" is, ontstaan die vraag of die term "initiated" dieselfde betekenis het as "commenced". Beide die howe in Mouton v Park 2000 Development 11 (Pty) Ltd 2019 6 SA 105 (WCC) en Tjeka Training Matters (Pty) Ltd v KPPM Construction (Pty) Ltd 2019 6 SA 185 (GJ) het die betekenis van "initiated" en "commenced" oorweeg. Volgens hierdie twee uitsprake verwys "initiated" na stappe wat geneem word voordat 'n formele regsproses begin. "Commenced" verwys dan na die formele aanvang van 'n regsproses. In hierdie aantekening word die betekenis van hierdie begrippe aan die hand van regspraak ondersoek. Die praktiese probleme veroorsaak deur die howe se verskillende benaderings tot die interpretasie van hierdie begrippe word ook uitgelig.
Incorporating sustainable development principles in Africa’s investment treaty-making
(Juta Law Journals, 2024-12) Qumba, Mmiselo Freedom
African states have long been critical of the international investment law regime, believing that international investment agreements (IIA) are misaligned with their sustainable development efforts. As a result, they have crafted modern IIAs to address the legitimacy crisis within the investment law regime. Despite improvements in Africa’s new, modern IIAs, some countries continue to conclude bilateral investment treaties (BITs) framed in line with older-generation agreements. An overview of the recent trends in treaty drafting shows that African countries have embraced IIAs as important tools for sustainable development. This article revisits the International Law Association ‘New Delhi Declaration of Principles of International Law’ to formulate concrete legal solutions not only as binding legal principles for investors within the African continent but also as incentive to improve sustainability through self-monitoring rather than international or domestic enforcement. This underscores the importance for treaty interpreters and drafters to carefully recognise the integration and application of a sustainable development framework. Accordingly, the article integrates lessons from African experiences and articulates the sustainable development-oriented principles and concepts that should be considered by policy makers and treaty drafters when developing new model BITs or renegotiating the old generation IIAs.
The protection of small enterprises in South Africa : a comparison with jurisdictions in the USA, India and the UK
(University of South Africa, 2024-12) Scott-Ngoepe, Tshepiso; tshepiso.scott@up.ac.za
Small enterprises form the backbone of many economies. However, despite their contribution to sustained economic growth, most small enterprises fail within five years. The Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA) in South Africa encompasses a mechanism that provides protection to small enterprises as consumers. This article assesses the extent of protection that is provided to small enterprises as consumers in terms of the CPA and seeks to establish whether this protection is warranted. Desktop research was conducted to draw a comparative analysis with three other jurisdictions, namely Michigan in the United States of America, India and the United Kingdom. The article posits that protecting small enterprises as consumers under the CPA is warranted. However, the article recommends revisiting the threshold applicable to juristic persons under the CPA and also applying it to franchisees that operate as juristic persons.
Overview of the role of selected consumer protection bodies in the regulation of prices and access to redress under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008
(Editura Universitara Danubius, 2024-04) Magau, Phemelo; Chitimira, Howard; Phemelo.Magau@up.ac.za
The Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA) seeks to promote the achievement and maintenance of a fair, accessible, efficient, sustainable and responsible market place for consumer products and services in South Africa. Moreover, the CPA seeks to provide an accessible, consistent, harmonised, effective and efficient system of redress for consumers. Notably, the CPA provides that the supplier should not supply or enter into an agreement to supply any goods or services at a price that is unfair, unreasonable, or unjust. This is generally aimed at combating any problems that are suffered by consumers when accessing goods and services in South Africa. Accordingly, various regulatory bodies and related role-players were established to enforce consumer rights and provide redress mechanisms to vulnerable and affected consumers. These consumer protection bodies and related roleplayers include the National Consumer Commission (NCC), the National Consumer Tribunal (NCT), provincial consumer courts, ordinary courts and other alternative dispute resolution agencies. These bodies and role-players are statutorily obliged to resolve consumer disputes in South Africa. However, there are some uncertainty challenges regarding the jurisdiction of ordinary courts and consumer protection regulatory bodies in relation to disputes that relate to the consumers’ right to fair, just and reasonable prices, terms and conditions of goods and services. This article discusses the role of the NCC, the NCT, provincial consumer courts, ordinary courts and other alternative dispute resolution agencies in the regulation of prices for goods, services and access to redress for affected consumers under the CPA. This is done to provide some recommendations that could resolve jurisdictional and regulatory challenges in relation to the price and access to goods and services under the CPA.
An overview of the extent of the powers of South African competition authorities in the regulation of price discrimination under the Competition Act 89 of 1998 in the context of digital transformation
(North-West University, 2024-07) Magau, Phemelo; Phemelo.Magau@up.ac.za
The purpose of the Competition Act 89 of 1998 as amended (the Competition Act) is, among others, to promote the efficiency, adaptability and development of the economy as well as to provide consumers with competitive prices and product choices. In line with this purpose, the Competition Act provides that a dominant firm is prohibited from engaging in price discrimination if such conduct will likely substantially prevent or lessen competition, which would be to the detriment of consumers. Notably, the Competition Act has established various bodies to regulate competition and act against any conduct prohibited by this Act in South Africa. These bodies include the Competition Commission, the Competition Tribunal, and the Competition Appeal Court. Notwithstanding the prohibition of price discrimination, the Competition Act does not expressly provide adequate enforcement tools for competition authorities to combat uncompetitive practices in the digital era. Moreover, the Competition Act does not expressly grant these statutory bodies clear roles and mandates on providing consumers with adequate and suitable redress when they have been victims of algorithmic price discrimination. With recent technological developments, electronic commerce (e-commerce), and digital transformation, consumers have become vulnerable to various challenges such as excessive pricing, data breaches and algorithmic pricing. The online and digital markets are characterised by complex transactions, innovative technologies and business practices which expose all consumers, including vulnerable consumers, to different risks. As such, the role of the competition authorities needs to be recalibrated to enhance consumer protection on the pricing of goods and services. To this end this paper seeks to investigate the role and ambit of the powers of these competition authorities in the regulation of price discrimination in the context of digital transformation and the digital economy. This is done to assess whether the competition authorities have the necessary tools of enforcement to ensure that markets are competitive and to combat uncompetitive conduct in the digital economy and online markets.
The role and mandate of the motor industry ombudsman of South Africa : addressing prospects and challenges to enhance consumer protection
(North-West University, 2024-12) Tshabalala, Thapelo; Magau, Phemelo; phemelo.magau@up.ac.za
The Motor Industry Ombudsman of South Africa (MIOSA) is an industry ombud recognised under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA). The MIOSA regulates the interaction and provides for alternative dispute resolution in the automotive and related industries in South Africa. Moreover, the MIOSA is an impartial organisation that focusses on the resolution of disputes where a deadlock has been reached between the automotive and related industries and their customers, as well as relationships among participants in the automotive and related industries to the benefit of the parties. The role of the MIOSA is to make recommendations in cases referred to it where parties cannot reach common ground and are unable to arrive at mutually acceptable agreements following a dispute. This analysis explores and proffers possible solutions to address the challenges that impede the MIOSA from discharging its role and mandate under the CPA effectively in resolving consumer disputes in the South African automotive industry.
Product liability in an age of development risks : should South Africa reconsider adopting a development risk defence?
(Cambridge University Press, 2024-10) Tennant, Sarah-lynn; Van Heerden, C.M. (Corlia); corlia.vanheerden@up.ac.za
To provide protection against harm caused by defective, unsafe products and to promote product safety, the law of product liability has developed as a specialized area of the law of delict (tort). The vexing question is, who should bear such liability? This contribution interrogates the notorious EU development risk defence, which exonerates manufacturers that meet certain stringent requirements for undiscoverable development risks in products that consequently inflict harm on consumers. In particular, it considers the election by South Africa, which recently adopted a “strict” product liability regime with the introduction of the Consumer Protection Act 2008, not to adopt such a defence. The purpose of this contribution is to consider the nature and scope of the development risk defence as contained in article 7(e) of the European Union (EU) Product Liability Directive and to determine whether it was prudent for South Africa to steer clear of incorporating a similar defence in its new statutory product liability regime.
Liability for damage caused by loadshedding : a consideration of whether collective action for redress by consumers in South Africa is possible
(North-West University, 2024-12) Scott, Tshepiso; tshepiso.scott@up.ac.za
The Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA) seeks to advance the social and economic welfare of consumers in South Africa by protecting vulnerable consumers, amongst other things. Loadshedding, which is characterised by a chronic shortage in the supply of electricity, was introduced into South African society in 2007 as a mechanism to distribute the demand for electricity. Its purpose is to relieve the stress on the national power grid when the demand is high to prevent a national blackout. One of the impacts of the power surge when electricity is restored to the power grid is damage to consumer property such as electrical appliances. In section 61 the CPA makes provision for consumers to institute an action for liability flowing from damage caused by “goods”. This paper argues that section 61 may be a good legal basis for collective redress by consumers in South Africa against power suppliers such as Eskom and the local municipalities.
Excluding life and insurance benefits from insolvent estates : a comparative study of South Africa, England and Wales, and the United States of America
(North-West University, 2024-10) Mabe, Zingapi; Mibiriri, Edith; zingapi.mabe@up.ac.za
In South Africa, two principles apply to the exclusion of certain assets from an insolvent estate. First is the common-law principle that even the desperate insolvent is entitled to the basic necessities of life. Hence his entitlement to keep certain assets and to protect assets belonging to third parties. Secondly, the "creditor advantage" principle requires the trustee of the insolvent estate to collect assets to benefit the creditors of the estate. One of the assets excluded from the insolvent estate is the life and disability insurance policy benefits of the insolvent. These benefits are excluded, however, only if the beneficiary is the insolvent and the exclusion will not apply where the beneficiary is a third party such as a solvent spouse. However, section 21 of the Insolvency Act 24 of 1936 vests the assets of the solvent spouse in the trustee of the insolvent estate upon the latter's sequestration. This vesting is out of sync with the principle aimed at protecting assets belonging to third parties. In England and Wales a trust is created to protect the insurance policy benefits of a spouse or child of the bankrupt but does not extend to any other third party. In the United States of America the proceeds of a life insurance policy benefit will form part of the estate if the bankrupt owned it before the bankruptcy began or if the debtor acquired or became entitled to it within 180 days after the filing date. Where the debtor nominated a third party as the beneficiary of an unmatured policy, the power of appointment becomes part of the estate of the debtor. As the nominated third party acquires only an inchoate expectation, the third party's expectation of that unmatured life insurance policy benefit forms part of the bankrupt estate. This paper compares the treatment of life and disability insurance benefits in insolvent estates in South Africa with the position in England and Wales and the United States of America to establish whether there are lessons to be learnt which may assist in modelling an insolvency law process for South Africa which will consider the affected members of society.

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