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August 2020

Dear Client / Geagte Kliënt


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Ons is onlangs versoek deur 'n gereelde leser van ons maandelikse nuusbrief om te oorweeg om die hoofartikel in 'n enkele taal te publiseer en nie alternatiewelik, in elke opvolgende paragraaf, in Engels en Afrikaans nie.

After careful consideration of the suggestion, it was decided to take it to heart, especially when the main objection, namely that it tends to be confusing, was considered.

Ons gaan derhalwe in die toekoms die taalgebruik in die hoofartikel maandeliks afwissel, maar ook 'n kriptiese opsomming van die artikel in die ander taal gee. Hierdie is dus ons eerste poging daarmee en sal enige kommentaar daaroor verwelkom want dit sal help om vas te stel of dit algemene aanvaarding vind, al dan nie.

We have recently received an instruction from a Body Corporate that wished to make substantial changes to the scheme’s Management Rules and it was obvious that the neither the trustee committee, nor its management agent, was aware of the substantial changes to the Sectional Titles Act which came about since the promulgation of the Sectional Title Schemes Management Act [8 of 2011] (STSMA) in October 2016. We thought it prudent to inform other trustees of sectional title schemes and its management of such changes.

Die voormelde wet maak voorsiening vir agt voorgeskrewe gedragsreëls vir elke deeltitelskema. Dit is effens minder as die elf sodanige reëls wat voorheen ingevolge die Wet op Deeltitels voorgeskryf was.

Tydens die opening van 'n skema, of gedurende die bestaan van ‘n skema, mag dit egter wenslik wees om die voorgeskrewe reëls te wysig of ‘n byvoeging daartoe te maak. Die STSMA maak voorsiening daarvoor in Artikel 10, met dien verstande dat sodanige reëls nie in stryd mag wees met die voorgeskrewe bestuursreëls nie, dit redelik is en op alle eienaars van toepassing moet wees.

Alvorens die nuwe bestuursreëls egter toegepas mag word, moet dit eerstens by wyse van 'n spesiale besluit van die regspersoon aanvaar word. 'n Spesiale resolusie beteken óf 'n resolusie geneem met minstens 75% (in waarde en aantal) van die stemme van die lede van 'n regspersoon wat op 'n algemene vergadering verteenwoordig is, óf wat skriftelik ooreengekom is deur lede van 'n regspersoon wat op minstens 75% (in waarde en getal) van al die stemgeregtigdes.

Daar moet egter in gedagte gehou word dat waar beoog word dat die lede 'n spesiale besluit op 'n vergadering moet neem, die regspersoon eers alle lede van die regspersoon dertig dae skriftelik kennis moet gee van die vergadering en die resolusie wat ter tafel sal lê. Sodra die lede die spesiale besluit ingevolge die Wet goedgekeur het, moet die gewysigde reëls egter eers aan die Hoofombud van die Ombud-diens vir Gemeenskap-skemas voorgelê word vir goedkeuring en liassering daarvan. 

Die sodanig gewysigde reëls word dus eers van krag nadat ‘n skriftelike kennisgewing vanaf die Ombud-diens ontvang is waarin sy goedkeuring daarvan bevestig is asook dat die wysiging behoorlik aangeteken is in sy rekords.

Groete en beste wense.  Wees verantwoordelik en bly veilig.

Hennie, Eberhard & Cheryl-Anne  
Direkteure |  Directors



 
 
 
ArticleImage  
Property: Green Shoots, Agent’s Commission and Fidelity Fund Certificates
If you are thinking of buying property, now might well be the perfect time with the pandemic having pushed down both prices and interest rates. 

The other side of the coin of course is that both sellers and estate agents will be looking with hope at the first green shoots of a market recovery, so it’s a good time to remember that an agent’s entitlement to commission is dependent on holding a valid and current fidelity fund certificate. 

What happens though if an agent, having done everything necessary to apply for a valid certificate, fails to get it through an error on the part of the issuing authority? A recent Supreme Court of Appeal decision has answered that question…
Read More
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property Subsidence: New Law, Strict Liability and Ubuntu  
ArticleImage
Property subsidence is every homeowner’s nightmare. Perhaps you’ve noticed those cracks in the living room wall widening alarmingly, or perhaps the pool is moving and starting to leak. Suddenly you fear for the integrity of your house and property. 

The neighbour, who is happily excavating next door for a new house or garage or pool, can’t or won’t address your concerns. “It’s your problem” says the neighbour, “I’m building strictly according to plan”.

Where do you stand legally? What can you do to protect your land and house, or to recover your losses if the damage has already been done? We address those questions with reference to a new and “ground-breaking” Supreme Court of Appeal judgment. 
Read More
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ArticleImage  
The Pandemic and Business Interruption Cover – Can You Claim?
If yours is one of the many businesses closed down and/or trying to operate with one hand tied behind your back as a result of the lockdown, you will no doubt have checked all your business insurance policies for a “notifiable disease extension” (or the like) clause. If you are fortunate enough to have such cover and your claim for losses has been rejected by the insurers, you will be wondering whether the recent high-profile High Court decision in favour of a restaurant has come to your rescue.

We analyse that judgment with particular emphasis on the two things which you must prove for your claim to be valid, with some thoughts on the importance of the wording of your particular policy, and with a recommendation on complaining to the industry authority if you feel you have been treated unfairly.
Read More
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lockdown Admission of Guilt Fines – The Criminal Record Risk  
ArticleImage
The lockdown laws we are subject to are many, varied and easily broken, with substantial penalties for contraventions. 

Anyone accused of breaking any of them will probably be offered the option of paying an “admission of guilt” fine. If that happens to you, just be very careful before opting to go that route – tempting as it is to pay up and put the whole thing behind you, it could land you with a criminal record.

And a criminal record is very bad news - we look at why that is and when you are most at risk, and we discuss how difficult it is to get rid of a criminal record once you have one. 
Read More
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Our Directors
             
       
    Eberhard
Kruger
DIRECTOR
021 180 4552 / 082 789 1706
ekruger@vzk.co.za
      Cheryl-Anne
Ehrenreich
DIRECTOR
021 180 4564 / 082 783 7242
cheryl@vzk.co.za
      Andre
Van Greunen
DIRECTOR
021 180 4550
andre@vzk.co.za
   
     Full Bio →

       Full Bio →

       Full Bio →

   
         
     
    Marzanne
Van Wyk
DIRECTOR
021 180 4551
marzanne@vzk.co.za
      Kumedzani
Muloiwa
DIRECTOR
021 180 4578
kume@vzk.co.za
   
     

       

   
         
 
 
 
 
 
 

© LawDotNews & Van Zyl Kruger Inc. This newsletter is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your legal adviser for specific and detailed advice.

VAN ZYL KRUGER INCORPORATED (REG. NO 2015/174073/21) (VAT NUMBER 413 0273 172)


www.vzk.co.za

Suite 520 Tyger Lake, Niagara Road,
Tyger Waterfront, Bellville, Cape Town

info@vzk.co.za | Reception: 021 180 4550 | Fax: 021 180 4540


DIRECTORS: E S KRUGER (B.COMM LL.B MPRE); C A EHRENREICH (BA.LL.B LL.M); AJ VAN GREUNEN (BPROC, LLB, LLM);
M VAN WYK (B.COM LLB); K MULOIWA (LLB)
ASSOCIATES: S JANSE VAN RENSBURG (B.COM LL.B); L J CHANTLER (B.COMM LL.B);
A BARNARD (B.COM LL.B DIP.FIN PLANNING); B SCHOLTZ (LL.B)
PRACTICE MANAGER: F BRAVENBOER (NDIP FIS)
EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT: HL VAN ZYL (B.PROC) CONSULTANTS: JAL VAN ZYL (B.JURIS LL.B);
C I’ANSON-SPARKS Solicitor in England and Wales (LL.B(HONS), DIP LEGAL PRACTICE)