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KING'S TRANSPORT v VILJOEN 1954 (1) SA 133 (C)

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KING'S TRANSPORT v VILJOEN 1954 (1) SA 133 (C)

1954 (1) SA p133

Citation

1954 (1) SA 133 (C) Cape Provincial Division Ogilvie Thompson J an !an "#$ AJ Oc%o&er 5' 1953 (ovem&er )' 1953 *in$ %o Case Anno%a%ions

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+agis%ra%e,s co-r% . Civil procee ings . Plea ings . "hole ca-se o/ ac%ion arising 0i%hin 1-ris ic%ion o/ co-r% . Denial o/2 D . Plain%i// s-ing /or amages arising o-% o/ a collision 0i%h a car riven &# a servan% o/ %he e/en an% . Special plea %ha% con%rac% o/ emplo#men% o/ servan% en%ere in%o in ano%her is%ric% . S-ch circ-ms%ances no% a /ac% ma%erial %o %he plain%i//,s ca-se o/ ac%ion2

%$a"not$ + Kopnota Plain%i//' 0ho ha claime amages arising o-% o/ a mo%or collision &e%0een his car an %ha% o/ %he e/en an% 0hile &eing riven &# %he 3 la%%er,s servan% ac%ing 0i%hin %he scope an in %he co-rse o/ his emplo#men%' ha averre %ha% %he 0hole ca-se o/ ac%ion ha arisen 0i%hin %he 1-ris ic%ion o/ %he co-r% s-e in2 The e/en an% ha /ile a special plea %o %he 1-ris ic%ion o/ %he co-r% averring %ha%' as %he con%rac% o/ emplo#men% &e%0een him an %he servan% ha &een en%ere in%o in a magis%erial is%ric% o-%si e %he area o/ 1-ris ic%ion o/ %he co-r%' %he 0hole ca-se o/ ac%ion ha no% arisen 0i%hin %he is%ric% o/ %he co-r% s-e in2 A magis%ra%e,s co-r% having ismisse %he special plea' on an appeal' 4 Held' %ha% %he circ-ms%ance %ha% %he con%rac% o/ emplo#men% ha &een concl- e in ano%her is%ric% 0as no% a /ac% ma%erial %o %he plain%i//,s ca-se o/ ac%ion an i% i no%' on %he /ac%s se% o-% in %he s-mmons' o-s% %he 1-ris ic%ion o/ %he co-r% s-e in2 Ca'$ In-o!&ation Appeal /rom a ecision in a magis%ra%e,s co-r%2 The /ac%s an co-nsel,s s-&missions appear /rom %he reasons /or 1- gmen%2
5 S.

Aaron' /or %he appellan%2

E. Newman' /or %he respon en%2 Cur. adv. vult2 Postea ((ovem&er )n )2 J "#&$nt
6 O57*!73 T6O+PSO(' J28 The appellan%' 0ho resi es a% Sal% 9iver' Cape To0n' appeals agains% %he ecision o/ %he magis%ra%e o/ Somerse% "es% ismissing his special plea %o %he 1-ris ic%ion o/ %he magis%ra%e,s co-r%

1954 (1) SA p134

O57*!73 T6O+PSO( J /or %he is%ric% o/ Somerse% "es% in an ac%ion ins%i%-%e in %ha% co-r% agains% appellan% &# respon en%2 7 0ill in %his 1- gmen% re/er %o %he par%ies as e/en an% an plain%i// respec%ivel#2

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KING'S TRANSPORT v VILJOEN 1954 (1) SA 133 (C)

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Plain%i//,s ac%ion agains% e/en an% is /or amages s-s%aine in conse:-ence o/ a mo%or collision 0hich occ-rre on );%h April' 1951' on %he (a%ional 9oa a% 4irgrove . %ha% is %o sa#' 0i%hin %he A magis%erial is%ric% o/ Somerse% "es%2 On %he occasion in :-es%ion plain%i// 0as riving along %he (a%ional 9oa ' procee ing in %he irec%ion o/ Cape To0n' in a ligh% lorr#' 0hich colli e 0i%h a mo%or car procee ing along %he (a%ional 9oa in %he opposi%e irec%ion2 Apar% /rom avermen%s o/ amage' %he ma%erial por%ion o/ plain%i//,s s-mmons rea s8
,A% or near %he in%ersec%ion o/ %he +ain 9oa /rom Cape To0n %o %he S%ran an %he (a%ional 9oa ' a mo%or vehicle' %he proper%# o/ e/en an% B riven &# one James - Plessis' an emplo#ee o/ %he e/en an% ac%ing 0i%hin %he scope an in %he co-rse o/ his emplo#men%' 0rong/-ll#' -nla0/-ll# an negligen%l# colli e 0i%h plain%i//,s mo%or vehicle ca-sing amage %o plain%i//,s mo%or vehicle2 2 22, ,The 0hole ca-se o/ ac%ion arose 0i%hin %he 1-ris ic%ion o/ %he a&ove hono-ra&le co-r%2,

Tho-gh a n-m&er o/ /-r%her par%ic-lars o/ %he s-mmons 0ere re:-es%e ' C none o/ %hese rela%e %o %he avermen% in %he s-mmons %ha% %he 0hole ca-se o/ ac%ion arose 0i%hin %he 1-ris ic%ion o/ %he magis%ra%e,s co-r% /or %he is%ric% o/ Somerse% "es% . 0hich avermen% is' in %ha% /orm' sanc%ione &# +agis%ra%es, Co-r%s Ac%' 9-le 1; (<) (vi)2 De/en an% %hen /ile a special plea %o %he 1-ris ic%ion o/ %he co-r%' a% %he same %ime plea ing in %he al%erna%ive %o %he meri%s2 This 0as a correc% proce -re' D see Malherbe v Britstown Municipality' 194< (1) SA =>= a% p2 =>< (C)2 The %erms o/ e/en an%,s special plea %o %he 1-ris ic%ion o/ %he co-r% 0ere as /ollo0s8
,12 )2 The 1-ris ic%ion o/ %his co-r% epen s -pon sec2 )< (1) (d o/ Ac% 3) o/ 19442 De/en an% a mi%s %ha% %he sai James - Plessis 0as in his emplo#' an %ha%' ac%ing in %he scope an in %he co-rse o/ his emplo#men%' he rove e/en an%,s mo%or vehicle a% %he %ime an place allege 2 32 De/en an% plea s ho0ever %ha% %he con%rac% o/ emplo#men% &e%0een him an %he sai - Plessis 0as en%ere in%o a% Sal% 9iver' Cape' 0hich is o-%si e %he area o/ 1-ris ic%ion o/ %he a&ove hono-ra&le co-r%2

42 52

7n %he premises' e/en an% enies %ha% %he ca-se o/ ac%ion arose 0holl# 0i%hin %he is%ric% o/ %his hono-ra&le co-r%2 De/en an% accor ingl# o&1ec%s %o %he 1-ris ic%ion o/ %he a&ove hono-ra&le co-r% %o en%er%ain %his ac%ion2,

4 A% %he hearing o/ e/en an%,s special plea . 0hich 0as separa%el# se% o0n in %erms o/ 9-le )) (11) . i% 0as' /or %he p-rposes o/ %he special plea' a mi%%e %ha% %he con%rac% o/ emplo#men% &e%0een e/en an% an - Plessis ,0as en%ere in%o in a is%ric% o%her %han Somerse% "es% +agis%erial Dis%ric%,? an ' -pon %he &asis o/ %ha% a mission' %he special plea 0as arg-e &e/ore %he presi ing magis%ra%e 0ho ismisse i%' inter alia e@pressing %he vie0 in his reasons /or 1- gmen% %ha% 5 ,%he

co-r% 0ill re:-ire %o $no0 onl# 0he%her - Plessis 0as %he servan% o/ %he e/en an% a% %he %ime o/ %he collision an ' i/ so' 0he%her' 0hen %he collision %oo$ place he 0as ac%ing 0i%hin %he scope o/ his a-%hori%# an in %he co-rse o/ his -%#2 The co-r% 0o-l no% &e concerne 0i%h %he :-es%ion as %o %he place 0here %he rela%ionship o/ emplo#er an emplo#ee 0as crea%e 2,

Agains% %his 1- gmen% %he presen% appeal is &ro-gh% on %he gro-n %ha% %he magis%ra%e erre in la0 in hol ing %ha% %he magis%ra%e,s co-r% /or 6 %he is%ric% o/ Somerse% "es% has 1-ris ic%ion %o en%er%ain plain%i//,s ac%ion agains% e/en an%2 7% is common ca-se %ha% e/en an% is onl# s-&1ec% %o %he 1-ris ic%ion o/ %he magis%ra%e,s co-r% /or %he is%ric% o/ Somerse% "es% ,i/ %he ca-se o/ ac%ion arose 0holl# 0i%hin %he is%ric%,8 ,in ien ie s$-l oorsaa$ geheel en al in ie is%ri$ ons%aan he%, (vide sec2 )< (1) (d o/ Ac% 3) o/ 1944)2 This 0or ing is' save /or %he s-&s%i%-%ion o/ A/ri$aans /or
1954 (1) SA p135

O57*!73 T6O+PSO( J (e erlan s' i en%ical 0i%h %ha% o/ sec2 )< (d o/ %he earlier +agis%ra%es, Co-r%s Ac%' 3) o/ 191>' 0hich la%%er 0as a-%hori%a%ivel# in%erpre%e in Mc!en"ie v #armers Co$operative Meat %ndustries &td.' 19)) AD 1= a% p2 )3' &# a op%ing *O9D 3S639,S e/ini%ion' given in 'ead v Brown' )) A2B2D2 1)< a% p2 131' o/ %he 0or s ,ca-se o/ ac%ion arising 0holl# or in par% 0i%hin %he Ci%# o/ *on on or %he li&er%ies %hereo/,2 *O9D 3S639,S e/ini%ion 0as as /ollo0s8
A

,"ha% is %he real meaning o/ %he phrase ,a ca-se o/ ac%ion arising in %he Ci%#B, 7% has &een e/ine in Coo(e v )ill (*292 < C2P2 1;>) %o &e %his8 3ver# /ac% 0hich i% 0o-l &e necessar# /or %he plain%i// %o prove' i/ %raverse ' in or er %o s-ppor% his righ% %o %he 1- gmen% o/ %he co-r%2 7% oes no% comprise ever# piece o/ evi ence 0hich is necessar# %o prove each /ac%' &-% ever# /ac% 0hich is necessar# %o &e prove 2 7% has &een s-gges%e %o. a# in arg-men% %ha% %his e/ini%ion is B %oo &roa ' &-% 7 canno% assen% %o %his' an 7 %hin$ %ha% %he e/ini%ion is righ%2,

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KING'S TRANSPORT v VILJOEN 1954 (1) SA 133 (C)

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7% is' 7 %hin$' clear /rom %he con%e@% %ha% %he 0or s ,i/ %raverse , o no% here mean ,i/ ac%-all# %raverse , &-% ,0hich %he e/en an% 0o-l &e en%i%le %o %raverse,? an %ha% %his is so is also &orne o-% &# 0ha% 0as sai &# B93TT' J2 in Coo(e v )ill* supra a% p2 11= viC28
,,Ca-se o/ ac%ion, has &een hel /rom %he earlies% %ime %o mean ever# C /ac% 0hich is ma%erial %o &e prove %o en%i%le %he plain%i// %o s-ccee . ever# /ac% 0hich %he e/en an% 0o-l have a righ% %o %raverse2,

The pro&lem in %he presen% case is %here/ore -na//ec%e &# e/en an%,s a mission' ma e in para2 ) o/ %he special plea' %ha% a% %he %ime o/ %he collision - Plessis in /ac% 0as in his emplo# an ac%ing in %he scope o/ his emplo#men%2 The en:-ir# is 0he%her' on %he allega%ions ma e in D %he s-mmons' rea %oge%her 0i%h %he a mission ma e a% %he hearing %ha% - Plessis, con%rac% o/ emplo#men% 0as concl- e o-%si e %he is%ric% o/ Somerse% "es%' plain%i//,s ca-se o/ ac%ion (as a&ove e/ine ) agains% e/en an% arose 0holl# 0i%hin %he is%ric% o/ Somerse% "es%2 The allega%ions ma e in plain%i//,s s-mmons m-s%' o/ co-rse' /or %he p-rposes o/ %he presen% case &e ass-me %o &e acc-ra%e2 7% 0as common 3 ca-se a% %he hearing o/ %he appeal %ha%' on %hose allega%ions' plain%i// ac:-ire a ca-se o/ ac%ion agains% %he river o/ %he car ( - Plessis) 0hen %he collision occ-rre ' an %ha% s-ch ca-se o/ ac%ion arose 0holl# 0i%hin %he is%ric% o/ Somerse% "es%2 Tha% is in con/ormi%# 0i%h %he ci%a%ions alrea # ma e an 0i%h %he /ollo0ing remar$s o/ "AT39+3D39' J2 (as he %hen 0as) in Abrahamse + Sons v S.A.'. + H.' 1933 CPD =)= a% p2 =3>8
,The proper legal meaning o/ %he e@pression ,ca-se o/ ac%ion, is %he en%ire se% o/ /ac%s 0hich 4 gives rise %o an en/orcea&le claim an incl- es ever# /ac% 0hich is ma%erial %o &e prove %o en%i%le a plain%i// %o s-ccee in his claim2 7% incl- es all %ha% a plain%i// m-s% se% o-% in his eclara%ion in or er %o isclose a ca-se o/ ac%ion2 S-ch ca-se o/ ac%ion oes no% ,arise, or ,accr-e, -n%il %he occ-rrence o/ %he las% o/ s-ch /ac%s an conse:-en%l# %he las% o/ s-ch /ac%s is some%imes loosel# spo$en o/ as %he ca-se o/ ac%ion2,
5 Plain%i//,s ca-se o/ ac%ion agains% e/en an% is /o-n e -pon precisel# %he same se% o/ /ac%s as is his ca-se o/ ac%ion agains% - Plessis' plus ho0ever %he a i%ional /ac%s %ha% a% %he %ime o/ %he collision - Plessis 0as' in %he lang-age o/ %he s-mmons ,an emplo#ee o/ %he e/en an% ac%ing 0i%hin %he scope an in %he co-rse o/ his emplo#men%,2 Plain%i// ac:-ire his ca-se o/ ac%ion agains% e/en an% a% %he same momen% o/ %ime as he ac:-ire his ca-se o/ ac%ion agains% - Plessis8 7n &o%h ins%ances %he las% o/ %he /ac%s giving rise %o an en/orcea&le claim 6 0as %he amage occasione %o plain%i// &# %he negligen% riving' 0i%hin %he is%ric% o/ Somerse% "es%' o/ - Plessis2

Since plain%i//,s ca-se o/ ac%ion agains% - Plessis arose 0holl# 0i%hin %he is%ric% o/ Somerse% "es%' i% 0o-l appear %o &e some0ha% anomalo-s %ha% plain%i//,s ca-se o/ ac%ion agains% e/en an%' 0hich came in%o &eing
1954 (1) SA p13.

O57*!73 T6O+PSO( J a% %he same ins%an% an 0hich is o%her0ise &ase -pon i en%ical /ac%s' sho-l ' solel# &eca-se o/ %he a i%ional /ac%or o/ vicario-s lia&ili%#' &e regar e as not arising 0holl# 0i%hin %he is%ric% o/ Somerse% "es%2 On %he o%her han ' %he e/en an% can o/ co-rse al0a#s &e s-e in %he is%ric% 0here he resi es or carries on &-siness an ' as 0as in ica%e in Pola(ovs(y v )erhardt' 194) T2P2D2 15' anomalies . real or A apparen% . a&o-n as a res-l% o/ cons%r-ing %he 0or s ,i/ %he ca-se o/ ac%ion arose 0holl# 0i%hin %he is%ric%, s%ric%l# in con/ormi%# 0i%h *O9D 3S639,S a&ove ci%e e/ini%ion2 +oreover' as 0as emphasise &# +r2 Aaron in his arg-men% /or appellan%' in Pola(ovs(y v )erhardt* supra a% p2 1<' %he ver# en:-ir# pose &# %he presen% case 0as men%ione &# +E99AD' J2 in %erms 0hich' %ho-gh obiter' can in %heir con%e@% onl# B &e cons%r-e as /avo-ra&le %o appellan%2 The ac%-al 0or s -se &# %he learne J- ge 0ere8
,7/ a mo%or car collision occ-rs in is%ric% A is %he in1-re par%#' 0hile allo0e %o s-e in %he magis%ra%e,s co-r% o/ s-ch is%ric% 0hen %he car 0as riven &# %he o0ner %hereo/ in person' never%heless e&arre /rom %here s-ing &eca-se %he ac%-al river 0as %he e/en an%,s cha//e-r 0hose a-%hori%# %o rive %he car on e/en an%,s &ehal/ a% %he %ime in C :-es%ion re:-ires proo/ o/ %he %erms o/ a con%rac% o/ service concl- e o-%si e s-ch is%ric%B,

(o0 a mas%er is' as a res-l% o/ his%orical evelopmen%' see #eldman (Pty. &td v Mall' 1945 AD >>3 a% pp2 >35 . >41' in o-r la0 lia&le /or %he elic%s o/ his servan% 0hen %he# are commi%%e in %he e@ec-%ion o/ his -%ies8 vide Bar(ett v S.A.N.,.A.M.' 1951 ()) SA 353 a% p2 3=) (A2D2)2 As i% 0as s-ccinc%l# p-% in %ha% case &# C3(T*7!93S' C2J2 a% p2 3=; in -ine' all %ha% has %o &e prove is %ha% %he harm 0as one &# %he D servan% in %he e@ec-%ion o/ his mas%er,s 0or$2 The %es% is 0he%her or no% %he ac% complaine o/ ,cons%i%-%e a negligen% per/ormance o/ %he 0or$

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KING'S TRANSPORT v VILJOEN 1954 (1) SA 133 (C)

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en%r-s%e %o %he servan%, (per "AT39+3D39' C2J2 in S.A.' v Marais' 195; (4) SA =1; a% p2 =1> (A2D2))2 7n e%ermining 0he%her a mas%er an servan% rela%ionship e@is%s so as %o ren er %he mas%er %h-s vicario-sl# lia&le' %he righ% o/ con%rol is %he ecisive /ac%or (see 3 Colonial +-%-al v +acDonal ' 1931 AD 41))2 A person 0ho is no% a servan% in %he or inar# sense ma# &e regar e as %he servan% o/ ano%her /or a par%ic-lar p-rpose i/ %he la%%er &e ves%e 0i%h %he righ% o/ con%rol over him (see e2g2 van Blommestein v 'eynolds' 1934 CPD )=9)2 On %he o%her han ' a mas%er is o/ co-rse no% vicario-sl# lia&le /or elic%s commi%%e &# o%hers merel# &eca-se s-ch o%hers happen %o &e 4 in his emplo# (e2g2 S.A.' v Marais* supra . an ' as is 0ell $no0n' %he general servan% o/ A ma#' %ho-gh remaining in A,s emplo#' &ecome %he servan% o/ B /or a par%ic-lar p-rpose' an %h-s %emporaril# ren er B vicario-sl# lia&le /or his elic%s' i/' in respec% o/ %ha% p-rpose' B en1o#s %he righ% o/ con%rol over him2 See Penrith v Stutta-ord' 19)5 CPD 154 an /osthuysen v 0ebb and !ru1er' 194> ()) SA =>; a% p2 =>5 (T)2
5 Those %hen are %he salien% principles o/ o-r la0 governing %he lia&ili%# o/ a mas%er /or %he elic%s o/ his servan%' an -pon 0hich e/en an%,s lia&ili%# (i/ an#) %o plain%i// epen s2 The s-mmons in %he presen% case alleges %ha% %he vehicle riven &# - Plessis 0as %he proper%# o/ e/en an%2 Bevan v Carelse' 1934 CPD 3)3 . also a collision case . is a-%hori%# /or %he proposi%ions (i) %ha% an allega%ion in a s-mmons o/ o0nership &# e/en an% o/ a vehicle involve 6 in a collision necessaril# implies %ha% s-ch vehicle 0as ei%her riven &# %he o0ner or &# his servan% or agen%' an (ii) %ha% a s-mmons con%aining %ha% allega%ion (%oge%her' o/ co-rse' 0i%h %he or inar# re:-isi%e allega%ions o/ negligence' ca-sa%ion an amage) se%s o-% ,ever# /ac%or 0hich is ma%erial %o &e prove in or er %o en%i%le %he plain%i// %o s-ccee 2, Tho-gh %he Co-r% in Bevan v Carelse* supra 0as no% irec%l# concerne 0i%h %he :-es%ion 0he%her %he

1954 (1) SA p13/

O57*!73 T6O+PSO( J ca-se o/ ac%ion %here -n er consi era%ion arose ,0holl# 0i%hin %he is%ric%,' i% is implici% in %he ecision %ha% %he place where %he servan% or agen% 0as engage &# %he e/en an% 0as no% regar e as &eing in an# 0a# relevan% %o %ha% en:-ir#2 7n %he presen% case' plain%i// has no% merel# allege %ha% %he vehicle riven &# - Plessis 0as %he proper%# o/ e/en an%8 plain%i// has a op%e %he more -s-al . an ' in m# opinion' pre/era&le . co-rse A o/ e@pressl# alleging %ha% - Plessis 0as ,an emplo#ee o/ %he e/en an% ac%ing 0i%hin %he scope an in %he co-rse o/ his emplo#men%2, Plain%i// is ho0ever no% s-ing e/en an% -pon his con%rac% o/ emplo#men% 0i%h - Plessis2 Plain%i// see$s %o hol e/en an% lia&le /or Plessis, negligence -pon %he legal principle o/ vicario-s responsi&ili%# a&ove o-%line 8 %ha% is 0ha% is comprehen e in %he allega%ion in %he B s-mmons %ha%' 0hen riving in %he manner complaine o/' - Plessis 0as ,an emplo#ee o/ %he e/en an% ac%ing 0i%hin %he scope an in %he co-rse o/ his emplo#men%,2 To s-ccee agains% e/en an% in %he presen% case plain%i// 0ill' in a i%ion %o proving %he o%her allega%ions ma e in his s-mmons' also re:-ire %o prove %ha% in riving e/en an%,s car a% %he %ime o/ %he collision' - Plessis (a 0as e/en an%,s servan% (%ha% C is %o sa#' 0as s-&1ec% %o e/en an%,s con%rol) an %ha%' in so riving' - Plessis 0as (b e@ec-%ing e/en an%,s 0or$ (or' as i% is some%imes e@presse ' %ha% he 0as a&o-% e/en an%,s &-siness)2 Those %hen are' so /ar as concerns %he presen% en:-ir#' %he -acta probanda' %he /ac%s 0hich' in %erms o/ *O9D 3S639,S e/ini%ion'
,i% 0o-l &e necessar# /or %he plain%i// %o prove' i/ %raverse ' in D or er %o s-ppor% his righ% %o %he 1- gmen% o/ %he co-r%2,

These /ac%s ma# in %he presen% case /or convenience &e /ac%ors2

escri&e as %he vicario-s responsi&ili%#

The sole gro-n a vance &# e/en an% in his special plea /or resis%ing %he 1-ris ic%ion o/ %he Somerse% "es% magis%ra%e,s co-r% is %he circ-ms%ance %ha% %he con%rac% &e%0een himsel/ an Plessis 0as en%ere in%o o-%si e %he is%ric% o/ Somerse% "es%2 (o0' as 7 have 3 alrea # in ica%e ' plain%i// is no% s-ing e/en an% -pon %ha% con%rac%8 0ha% plain%i// has %o prove is %ha% 0ha% 7 have calle %he vicario-s responsi&ili%# /ac%ors o&%aine at the time o- the collision2 Epon s-ch proo/' e/en an%,s lia&ili%# %o plain%i// a% once arises as a% ma%%er o/ la02 The vi%al en:-ir# %h-s concerns %he legal rela%ionship o/ e/en an% an - Plessis as a% %ha% momen% 0hen' 0i%hin %he is%ric% o/ Somerse% 4 "es%' - Plessis &# negligence in1-re plain%i//2 7% is -pon %ha% %ha% plain%i//,s ca-se o/ ac%ion agains% e/en an% res%s' an no% -pon 0here or 0hen a con%rac%-al

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KING'S TRANSPORT v VILJOEN 1954 (1) SA 133 (C)

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rela%ionship o/ mas%er an servan% &e%0een e/en an% an - Plessis ha i%s origin2 The /ac% %ha% - Plessis, con%rac% o/ emplo#men% 0as concl- e o-%si e %he is%ric% o/ Somerse% "es% is no% a /ac% ma%erial %o plain%i//,s ca-se o/ ac%ion . an# more 5 %han i% 0as ma%erial %o %he ca-se o/ ac%ion in Mc!en"ie2s case %ha% %he applica%ion /or shares ha &een signe o-%si e %he is%ric% o/ Pie%ermari%C&-rg (see %he 1- gmen% o/ +AASDO9P' J2A2 a% pp2 ); an )1 o/ %he repor%)2 +r2 Aaron arg-e ' ci%ing Malherbe v Britstown Municipality' 1949 (1) SA )<1 a% p2 )<= (C)' %ha% plain%i//,s ca-se o/ ac%ion agains% e/en an% co-l no% &e ivorce /rom %he con%rac% o/ emplo#men% &e%0een e/en an% an - Plessis an %ha%' since s-ch con%rac% 0as concl- e 6 o-%si e %he is%ric% o/ Somerse% "es%' %he 1-ris ic%ion o/ %ha% co-r% 0as o-s%e 2 Malherbe2s case is ho0ever rea il# is%ing-isha&le' /or %he amages claime &# %he plain%i// +-nicipali%# in %ha% case arose /rom %he allege negligen% concl-sion o/ a con%rac% &# %he e/en an% +alher&e in ano%her is%ric%? an %he Co-r% hel %ha% %he concl-sion o/ s-ch con%rac% 0as an
1954 (1) SA p130

O57*!73 T6O+PSO( J essen%ial /ac% %o &e prove in or er %o es%a&lish %he +-nicipali%#,s ca-se o/ ac%ion agains% +alher&e2 7n %he presen% case %he e@is%ence' 0i%hin %he is%ric%' o/ %he vicario-s responsi&ili%# /ac%ors a% %he %ime o/ collision is s-scep%i&le o/ &eing prove 0i%ho-% re/erence ei%her %o %he original concl-sion o/ a con%rac% o/ emplo#men% &e%0een e/en an% an - Plessis or %o %he place 0here %ha% con%rac% 0as concl- e 2 A% %he A %rial' plain%i// migh% /or ins%ance even invo$e %he a mission ma e in para2 ) o/ e/en an%,s special plea' or' perhaps' rel# -pon %he principles in ica%e in Bevan v Carelse* supra a% p2 3)52 7% is %r-e %ha%' in /o-n ing -pon a mas%er an servan% rela%ionship &e%0een e/en an% an - Plessis as a% %he %ime o/ %he collision' plain%i// is' in a 0a#' calling in ai a con%rac%-al rela%ionship 0hich' on %he B a mission ma e a% %he hearing &e/ore %he magis%ra%e' ha i%s origin o-%si e %he is%ric% o/ Somerse% "es%2 B-%' as alrea # emphasise ' plain%i// is in no sense s-ing -pon %ha% con%rac%2 7n ee ' mere proo/ o/ %he concl-sion o/ s-ch a con%rac% &e%0een e/en an% an - Plessis 0o-l no% necessaril# es%a&lish plain%i//,s case? plain%i// m-s% sho0 %ha% - Plessis 0as e/en an%,s servan% as a% %he %ime o/ %he collision2 The C con%rac% o/ emplo#men% migh% &e pro -ce or relie -pon a% %he %rial as evi ence 0hich' ei%her &# i%sel/ as a ma%%er o/ in/erence or %oge%her 0i%h o%her evi ence' goes %o0ar s es%a&lishing %he -actum probandum $ viC28 %ha% a% %he %ime o/ %he collision - Plessis 0as e/en an%,s servan% . &-% i% is no% %he -actum probandum i%sel/2 *i$e0ise %he %erms o/ %he con%rac% o/ emplo#men% migh%' or migh% no%' &e a -ce in D evi ence in s-ppor% o/ %he /-r%her -actum probandum viC2 %ha% in riving %he car on %he occasion in :-es%ion - Plessis 0as a&o-% e/en an%,s &-siness)? &-%' here again' nei%her %he concl-sion o/ %he con%rac% nor i%s %erms cons%i%-%e %he ac%-al -actum probandum i%sel/2 "hen %he %r-e &asis o/ plain%i//,s ca-se o/ ac%ion agains% e/en an% is %h-s anal#se ' %he con%en%ion %ha% %ha% ca-se o/ ac%ion arose 0holl# 3 0i%hin %he is%ric% o/ Somerse% "es% is' in m# opinion' no% vi%ia%e &# %he mere circ-ms%ance %ha% %he con%rac% o/ emplo#men% &e%0een e/en an% an - Plessis 0as en%ere in%o in a is%ric% o%her %han Somerse% "es% magis%erial is%ric%2 A ca-se o/ ac%ion' %o repea% *O9D 3S639,S 0or s' comprises
,ever# /ac% 0hich i% 0o-l &e necessar# /or %he plain%i// %o prove' i/ %raverse ' in or er %o s-ppor% his righ% %o %he 1- gmen% o/ %he Co-r%2 7% oes no% comprise ever# piece o/ evi ence 0hich is necessar# %o prove 4 each /ac%' &-% ever# /ac% 0hich is necessar# %o &e prove 2,

7n %he presen% case' %he con%rac% &e%0een e/en an% an - Plessis' an %he %erms o/ %ha% con%rac%' in m# opinion onl# cons%i%-%e ,a piece o/ evi ence, 0i%hin %he meaning o/ %hose 0or s as -se &# *O9D 3S6392 7n m# 1- gmen% %he circ-ms%ance %ha% %he con%rac% o/ emplo#men% &e%0een 5 e/en an% an - Plessis 0as concl- e o-%si e %he is%ric% o/ Somerse% "es% . an ' as 7 have poin%e o-%' %ha% is %he onl# e/ence raise in %he special plea . is no% a /ac% ma%erial %o plain%i//,s ca-se o/ ac%ion agains% e/en an% an oes no%' on %he /ac%s as se% o-% in %he s-mmons' o-s% %he 1-ris ic%ion o/ %ha% co-r%2 7 am accor ingl# o/ opinion %ha% %he magis%ra%e 0as correc% in hol ing %ha% he ha 1-ris ic%ion %o en%er%ain %his s-i%2
6 The vie0s 0hich 7 have e@presse are' 7 %hin$' in con/ormi%# 0i%h %he ecisions in #eld and East &ondon Cinema (Pty. &td v Mav3ee' 1944 CPD 5);' an van der &ith2s Estate v !ru1er and van der &ith' 193) T2P2D2 <1' an are also in accor 0i%h Bevan v Carelse* supra2 Tho-gh van der &ith2s case 0as isapprove in Pola(ovs(y v )erhardt* supra' %he la%%er . -pon 0hich +r2

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KING'S TRANSPORT v VILJOEN 1954 (1) SA 133 (C)

http://0-ipproducts.jutalaw.co.za.wam.seals.ac.za/nxt/print.asp?NXTSc...

Aaron' -n ers%an a&l# eno-gh' place m-ch reliance . 0as a case o/ con%rac%2 "here con%rac%-al o&liga%ions are s-e -pon' i% 0ill or inaril# cons%i%-%e an in%egral par%
1954 (1) SA p139

O57*!73 T6O+PSO( J o/ es%a&lishing %he ca-se o/ ac%ion %o prove &o%h %he concl-sion o/ %he con%rac% an i%s %erms2 7/ in s-ch a case %he con%rac% 0as concl- e o-%si e %he is%ric%' %hen 1-ris ic%ion -n er sec2 )< (1) (d o/ Ac% 3) o/ 1944 is normall# o-s%e 2 7 also respec%/-ll# agree 0i%h +E99AD' J2,s' o&serva%ions a% p2 1> o/ Pola(ovs(y2s case %ha% 0here %here is a &reach in is%ric% A o/ a con%rac% concl- e in is%ric% B' %here is no% a ca-se o/ ac%ion arising 0holl# in is%ric% A merel# &eca-se %he con%rac% A (%ho-gh concl- e in is%ric% B) e@is%e in is%ric% A a% %he %ime o/ i%s &reach %here2 The reason /or %his is' 7 s-gges%' %ha% in %he case pos%-la%e i% is /o-n a%ional %o %he plain%i//,s ca-se o/ ac%ion %ha% %he con%rac% i%sel/ sho-l &e prove in or er' /irs%' %o es%a&lish %he e@is%ence o/ an# righ% a% all in %he plain%i// agains% e/en an% an ' secon l#' %o e%ermine 0he%her 0ha% is averre &# %he plain%i// %o &e a B &reach o/ %he con%rac% is in %r-%h a &reach o/ %he o&liga%ions -n er%a$en %o %he plain%i// &# e/en an% -n er %he con%rac%2 "he%her %ha% principle 0as correc%l# applie in Pola(ovs(y2s case %o re1ec% %he arg-men% a vance %ha% /or %he ca-se o/ ac%ion %here in iss-e i% s-//ice %o prove %he e@is%ence 0i%hin %he Pre%oria is%ric% o/ %he agen% (a- e,s a-%hori%# is' in m# opinion an 0i%h %he grea%es% C e/erence %o %he is%ing-ishe J- ges 0ho eci e %ha% case' serio-sl# open %o o-&%2 The a-%hori%a%ive a op%ion &# %he Appella%e Division o/ *O9D 3S639,S e/ini%ion is' o/ co-rse' &in ing' &-% an -n -l# li%eral applica%ion o/ %ha% e/ini%ion is %o &e epreca%e 2 7n %he presen% case' i% 0o-l &e open %o e/en an% %o %raverse %he allega%ion %ha% plain%i// o0ne %he amage vehicle in respec% o/ 0hich he s-es2 As m# Bro%her !A( D "DF apposi%el# remar$e -ring %he arg-men%' a li%eral applica%ion o/ *O9D 3S639,S e/ini%ion migh% opera%e %o o-s% %he 1-ris ic%ion o/ %he Somerse% "es% magis%ra%e,s co-r% merel# &eca-se plain%i// originall# ac:-ire %he vehicle o-%si e %he is%ric% o/ Somerse% "es% . a res-l% 0hich %he *egisla%-re co-l har l# have con%empla%e 2 7n m# opinion e@%raor inar# an -n esira&le res-l%s s-ch as %his are avoi e ' an man# o/ %he anomalies in ica%e in Pola(ovs(y2s case are resolve ' i/' 0hen 3 appl#ing *O9D 3S639,S e/ini%ion' -e is%inc%ion is ma e &e%0een %he ac%-al -acta probanda in an# given ca-se o/ ac%ion an %he ,pieces o/ evi ence, necessar# %o es%a&lish %hose -acta probanda2 7n Pola(ovs(y2s case %ha% is%inc%ion . 7 ven%-re %o %hin$' %ho-gh 0i%h grea% respec% . receive ins-//icien% emphasis2 7n %he presen% case . so-n ing' no% in con%rac%' &-% in %or% . %he con%rac% o/ emplo#men% &e%0een e/en an% an - Plessis is' in m# 4 opinion an /or %he reasons 7 have given' no% one o/ %he ac%-al -acta probanda in plain%i//,s ca-se o/ ac%ion? i% 0as no% a /ac% ma%erial %o plain%i//,s ca-se o/ ac%ion agains% e/en an%2 7n so /ar as %he obiter remar$s o/ +E99AD' J2' a% p2 1< o/ %he repor% o/ Pola(ovs(y2s case' supra' concerning %he lia&ili%# o/ a mas%er %o &e s-e /or %he negligence o/ his cha-//e-r (an 0hich 7 have se% o-% in /-ll a&ove) ma# 5 &e sai %o &e con%rar# %o %he vie0s 0hich 7 have e@presse ' 7 am' /or %he reasons appearing earlier in %his 1- gmen% an 0i%h %he grea%es% respec%' -na&le %o agree 0i%h %hose remar$s2 4or %he /oregoing reasons' %he appeal is ismisse 0i%h cos%s2 !A( "DF' A2J2' conc-rre 2
6 Appellan%,s A%%orne#s8 Ber(ovitch + Mallinic(2 9espon en%,s A%%orne#s8 4. C. &ouw* du Plessis + Partners.

2005 Juta and Company, Ltd.

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