Law Portal
Zimbabwe

Welcome To Law Portal

Welcome, Guest!
[Help?]

HB28-15 - SIMELENI DUBE vs CHRISTOPHER DUBE

  • View Judgment By Categories
  • View Full Judgment


Procedural Law-viz cause of action re abuse of process iro Rule 75 of the High Court Rules.
Procedural Law-viz cause of action re abuse of court process iro Rule 75 of the High Court Rules.
Constitutional Law-viz constitutional rights re access to the courts iro Rule 75 of the High Court Rules.
Procedural Law-viz default judgment re marital proceedings.
Procedural Law-viz final orders re the final and conclusive rule iro default judgements.
Procedural Law-viz final orders re relief conflicting with an extant court order.
Family Law-viz division of the assets of the spouses re section 7 of the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5:13].
Family Law-viz apportionment of matrimonial property re section 2 of the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5:13].
Procedural Law-viz final orders re procedural irregularities iro discretion of the court to dismiss a matter.
Procedural Law-viz cause of action re legal basis for invoking the jurisdiction of the court.
Procedural Law-viz cause of action re summary dismissal iro Rule 75 of the High Court Rules.
Procedural Law-viz costs re matrimonial proceedings.
Procedural Law-viz costs re punitive order of costs iro abuse of court process.
Procedural Law-viz costs re punitive costs iro abuse of process.
Procedural Law-viz absolution from the instance.

Damages re: Assessment and Evidence of Damages iro Proof of Claim and Quantification ito Matrimonial Disputes


This application has been brought to court in terms of the provisions of Order 11 Rule 75(1) of the High Court Rules 1971 for the dismissal of claims filed by the respondent in an action under case number HC568/13.

The applicant contends, that, the respondent's claims are frivolous and vexatious.

The application is opposed by the respondent who forcefully argued, through his legal counsel, that the application for dismissal is misguided and an abuse of court process.

Background

The parties were married to each other in terms of the Marriage Act [Chapter 5:11]. The marriage was terminated by order of this court on 28 June 2012.

The respondent was in default.

Both parties reside in the United Kingdom, having left Zimbabwe almost a decade ago.

The terms of the divorce order were as follows:

“1. A decree of divorce be and is hereby granted.

2. Custody of the minor child, namely, Thabiso Dube (male) born on the 22 May 1995 be awarded to the plaintiff with the defendant enjoying access to the child.

3. An order for maintenance at £200 per month.

4. Plaintiff be awarded the following property as her sole and exclusive property:

Wall Unit, plants and ornaments, 2 piece sofas, TV stand, desktop computer, computer table, canon printer, fridge, 4 plate stove, ST Joseph stand and shops (plus movables thereat).

5. Defendant be and is hereby awarded as his sole and exclusive property and the movable assets at the Parklands home, specifically the following:

Double door fridge, 4 plate stove, six kitchen chairs and table, microwave, kitchen utensils, dining room suite, lounge suite, glass TV stand, 2 TVs, sharp radio, phone table, 3 beds, 2 bedroom suites, chest of drawers, dressing table and stool, curtains, Gwanda homestead (plus household goods thereat and livestock).

6. An order that the matrimonial home, being number 16, St David's Road, Parklands, Bulawayo, be sold by the plaintiff or her lawful agents and the proceeds of the sale be shared equally between the parties.

7.1 For the purposes of sale and transfer of the matrimonial home to the successful purchaser, the plaintiff be and is hereby authorized to nominate the conveyancer to attend to such transfer and the Deputy Sheriff, Bulawayo be and is hereby authorized and directed to sign all transfer documents vide the defendant.

7.2 No order as to costs.”

On 1 March 2013, the respondent filed an action in this court seeking the following relief:

“An order directing defendant to deliver all movable assets awarded to the plaintiff by the High Court in case number HC3446/11 housed at number 16 St Davids Road Parklands, Bulawayo, which assets the defendant unlawfully and wrongfully caused to be removed therefrom during the period extending from June 2012 to an unknown date, or, alternatively, failing such delivery payment of the value of the assets in the sum of US$22,960=.”

In paragraph 4 of his Declaration, the plaintiff states as follows:

“Paragraph 5 of the divorce order between the parties awarded the defendant all assets at the Parklands home of the parties including the movable assets listed in Annexure 'A' hereto.”

I note that Annexure “A” referred to in paragraph 4 of the Declaration is in effect the Order for divorce issued by the court on 28 June 2012.

The plaintiff then remarkably claims, in paragraph 5 of his Declaration, that:

“In addition to the assets named in paragraph 5 of Annexure 'A' the parties had also acquired the assets listed in Annexure 'B' attached hereto.”

What is of serious concern is that Annexure “B” is a two page long list of items of property not included or referred to in the original divorce order.

The respondent alleges these assets were acquired by the parties during the course of the marriage.

It is clear that paragraph 5 of the Declaration contradicts the order sought by the plaintiff.

The clear intention of the respondent can only be to mislead the court, because, in the summons, the plaintiff (respondent) in this matter purports to claim the assets (or the values thereof) which were awarded to him in terms of the divorce order.

This is in fact not the case.

The plaintiff is attempting to revisit the distribution of matrimonial assets via the back door. This cannot be proper. The assets have clearly been overvalued so that they equate to US$22,960=, an amount which the applicant claims will wipe out her half share in the sale of the matrimonial house as ordered by the court.

The Legal Position

The respondent is not the owner of the assets listed in Annexure “B” of the summons. The said assets are supposed to be matrimonial property, or assets of the spouses, as defined in section 7(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5:13].

It is settled law, that, matrimonial assets can only be dealt with in an action for divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage in terms of section 2(1) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which states as follows:

“Action for divorce, judicial separation or nullity or marriage means an action by which a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage or other relief in connection therewith is applied for…,.”

In this matter, the established facts are that the parties were divorced by an order of this court granted on 28 June 2012. The divorce order was granted in default of the respondent.

If the respondent was aggrieved with the terms of the divorce order, he should have applied for an order rescinding the judgment of the court in order to obtain what he may have considered to be a just and equitable distribution in terms of section 7(1)(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which provides as follows:

“7(1) Subject to this section, in granting a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage, or, at any time thereafter, an appropriate court may make an order with regard to -

(a) The division, apportionment or distribution of the assets of the spouses, including an order that any asset be transferred from one spouse to the other;”

It is my view, that, the respondent's claim, in the main action, should have been dealt with as a matrimonial action in terms of the Matrimonial Causes Act.

The respondent's claims, as presently framed, are bad at law to the extent that they are frivolous and vexatious.

Division of Assets of the Spouses re: Approach, Clean Break Principle & Maintenance of the Status Quo Stante Matrimonii


This application has been brought to court in terms of the provisions of Order 11 Rule 75(1) of the High Court Rules 1971 for the dismissal of claims filed by the respondent in an action under case number HC568/13.

The applicant contends, that, the respondent's claims are frivolous and vexatious.

The application is opposed by the respondent who forcefully argued, through his legal counsel, that the application for dismissal is misguided and an abuse of court process.

Background

The parties were married to each other in terms of the Marriage Act [Chapter 5:11]. The marriage was terminated by order of this court on 28 June 2012.

The respondent was in default.

Both parties reside in the United Kingdom, having left Zimbabwe almost a decade ago.

The terms of the divorce order were as follows:

“1. A decree of divorce be and is hereby granted.

2. Custody of the minor child, namely, Thabiso Dube (male) born on the 22 May 1995 be awarded to the plaintiff with the defendant enjoying access to the child.

3. An order for maintenance at £200 per month.

4. Plaintiff be awarded the following property as her sole and exclusive property:

Wall Unit, plants and ornaments, 2 piece sofas, TV stand, desktop computer, computer table, canon printer, fridge, 4 plate stove, ST Joseph stand and shops (plus movables thereat).

5. Defendant be and is hereby awarded as his sole and exclusive property and the movable assets at the Parklands home, specifically the following:

Double door fridge, 4 plate stove, six kitchen chairs and table, microwave, kitchen utensils, dining room suite, lounge suite, glass TV stand, 2 TVs, sharp radio, phone table, 3 beds, 2 bedroom suites, chest of drawers, dressing table and stool, curtains, Gwanda homestead (plus household goods thereat and livestock).

6. An order that the matrimonial home, being number 16, St David's Road, Parklands, Bulawayo, be sold by the plaintiff or her lawful agents and the proceeds of the sale be shared equally between the parties.

7.1 For the purposes of sale and transfer of the matrimonial home to the successful purchaser, the plaintiff be and is hereby authorized to nominate the conveyancer to attend to such transfer and the Deputy Sheriff, Bulawayo be and is hereby authorized and directed to sign all transfer documents vide the defendant.

7.2 No order as to costs.”

On 1 March 2013, the respondent filed an action in this court seeking the following relief:

“An order directing defendant to deliver all movable assets awarded to the plaintiff by the High Court in case number HC3446/11 housed at number 16 St Davids Road Parklands, Bulawayo, which assets the defendant unlawfully and wrongfully caused to be removed therefrom during the period extending from June 2012 to an unknown date, or, alternatively, failing such delivery payment of the value of the assets in the sum of US$22,960=.”

In paragraph 4 of his Declaration, the plaintiff states as follows:

“Paragraph 5 of the divorce order between the parties awarded the defendant all assets at the Parklands home of the parties including the movable assets listed in Annexure 'A' hereto.”

I note that Annexure “A” referred to in paragraph 4 of the Declaration is in effect the Order for divorce issued by the court on 28 June 2012.

The plaintiff then remarkably claims, in paragraph 5 of his Declaration, that:

“In addition to the assets named in paragraph 5 of Annexure 'A' the parties had also acquired the assets listed in Annexure 'B' attached hereto.”

What is of serious concern is that Annexure “B” is a two page long list of items of property not included or referred to in the original divorce order.

The respondent alleges these assets were acquired by the parties during the course of the marriage.

It is clear that paragraph 5 of the Declaration contradicts the order sought by the plaintiff.

The clear intention of the respondent can only be to mislead the court, because, in the summons, the plaintiff (respondent) in this matter purports to claim the assets (or the values thereof) which were awarded to him in terms of the divorce order.

This is in fact not the case.

The plaintiff is attempting to revisit the distribution of matrimonial assets via the back door. This cannot be proper. The assets have clearly been overvalued so that they equate to US$22,960=, an amount which the applicant claims will wipe out her half share in the sale of the matrimonial house as ordered by the court.

The Legal Position

The respondent is not the owner of the assets listed in Annexure “B” of the summons. The said assets are supposed to be matrimonial property, or assets of the spouses, as defined in section 7(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5:13].

It is settled law, that, matrimonial assets can only be dealt with in an action for divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage in terms of section 2(1) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which states as follows:

“Action for divorce, judicial separation or nullity or marriage means an action by which a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage or other relief in connection therewith is applied for…,.”

In this matter, the established facts are that the parties were divorced by an order of this court granted on 28 June 2012. The divorce order was granted in default of the respondent.

If the respondent was aggrieved with the terms of the divorce order, he should have applied for an order rescinding the judgment of the court in order to obtain what he may have considered to be a just and equitable distribution in terms of section 7(1)(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which provides as follows:

“7(1) Subject to this section, in granting a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage, or, at any time thereafter, an appropriate court may make an order with regard to -

(a) The division, apportionment or distribution of the assets of the spouses, including an order that any asset be transferred from one spouse to the other;”

It is my view, that, the respondent's claim, in the main action, should have been dealt with as a matrimonial action in terms of the Matrimonial Causes Act.

The respondent's claims, as presently framed, are bad at law to the extent that they are frivolous and vexatious.

Default Judgment re: Default Judgment and Snatching at a Judgment iro Marital Proceedings


This application has been brought to court in terms of the provisions of Order 11 Rule 75(1) of the High Court Rules 1971 for the dismissal of claims filed by the respondent in an action under case number HC568/13.

The applicant contends, that, the respondent's claims are frivolous and vexatious.

The application is opposed by the respondent who forcefully argued, through his legal counsel, that the application for dismissal is misguided and an abuse of court process.

Background

The parties were married to each other in terms of the Marriage Act [Chapter 5:11]. The marriage was terminated by order of this court on 28 June 2012.

The respondent was in default.

Both parties reside in the United Kingdom, having left Zimbabwe almost a decade ago.

The terms of the divorce order were as follows:

“1. A decree of divorce be and is hereby granted.

2. Custody of the minor child, namely, Thabiso Dube (male) born on the 22 May 1995 be awarded to the plaintiff with the defendant enjoying access to the child.

3. An order for maintenance at £200 per month.

4. Plaintiff be awarded the following property as her sole and exclusive property:

Wall Unit, plants and ornaments, 2 piece sofas, TV stand, desktop computer, computer table, canon printer, fridge, 4 plate stove, ST Joseph stand and shops (plus movables thereat).

5. Defendant be and is hereby awarded as his sole and exclusive property and the movable assets at the Parklands home, specifically the following:

Double door fridge, 4 plate stove, six kitchen chairs and table, microwave, kitchen utensils, dining room suite, lounge suite, glass TV stand, 2 TVs, sharp radio, phone table, 3 beds, 2 bedroom suites, chest of drawers, dressing table and stool, curtains, Gwanda homestead (plus household goods thereat and livestock).

6. An order that the matrimonial home, being number 16, St David's Road, Parklands, Bulawayo, be sold by the plaintiff or her lawful agents and the proceeds of the sale be shared equally between the parties.

7.1 For the purposes of sale and transfer of the matrimonial home to the successful purchaser, the plaintiff be and is hereby authorized to nominate the conveyancer to attend to such transfer and the Deputy Sheriff, Bulawayo be and is hereby authorized and directed to sign all transfer documents vide the defendant.

7.2 No order as to costs.”

On 1 March 2013, the respondent filed an action in this court seeking the following relief:

“An order directing defendant to deliver all movable assets awarded to the plaintiff by the High Court in case number HC3446/11 housed at number 16 St Davids Road Parklands, Bulawayo, which assets the defendant unlawfully and wrongfully caused to be removed therefrom during the period extending from June 2012 to an unknown date, or, alternatively, failing such delivery payment of the value of the assets in the sum of US$22,960=.”

In paragraph 4 of his Declaration, the plaintiff states as follows:

“Paragraph 5 of the divorce order between the parties awarded the defendant all assets at the Parklands home of the parties including the movable assets listed in Annexure 'A' hereto.”

I note that Annexure “A” referred to in paragraph 4 of the Declaration is in effect the Order for divorce issued by the court on 28 June 2012.

The plaintiff then remarkably claims, in paragraph 5 of his Declaration, that:

“In addition to the assets named in paragraph 5 of Annexure 'A' the parties had also acquired the assets listed in Annexure 'B' attached hereto.”

What is of serious concern is that Annexure “B” is a two page long list of items of property not included or referred to in the original divorce order.

The respondent alleges these assets were acquired by the parties during the course of the marriage.

It is clear that paragraph 5 of the Declaration contradicts the order sought by the plaintiff.

The clear intention of the respondent can only be to mislead the court, because, in the summons, the plaintiff (respondent) in this matter purports to claim the assets (or the values thereof) which were awarded to him in terms of the divorce order.

This is in fact not the case.

The plaintiff is attempting to revisit the distribution of matrimonial assets via the back door. This cannot be proper. The assets have clearly been overvalued so that they equate to US$22,960=, an amount which the applicant claims will wipe out her half share in the sale of the matrimonial house as ordered by the court.

The Legal Position

The respondent is not the owner of the assets listed in Annexure “B” of the summons. The said assets are supposed to be matrimonial property, or assets of the spouses, as defined in section 7(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5:13].

It is settled law, that, matrimonial assets can only be dealt with in an action for divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage in terms of section 2(1) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which states as follows:

“Action for divorce, judicial separation or nullity or marriage means an action by which a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage or other relief in connection therewith is applied for…,.”

In this matter, the established facts are that the parties were divorced by an order of this court granted on 28 June 2012. The divorce order was granted in default of the respondent.

If the respondent was aggrieved with the terms of the divorce order, he should have applied for an order rescinding the judgment of the court in order to obtain what he may have considered to be a just and equitable distribution in terms of section 7(1)(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which provides as follows:

“7(1) Subject to this section, in granting a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage, or, at any time thereafter, an appropriate court may make an order with regard to -

(a) The division, apportionment or distribution of the assets of the spouses, including an order that any asset be transferred from one spouse to the other;”

It is my view, that, the respondent's claim, in the main action, should have been dealt with as a matrimonial action in terms of the Matrimonial Causes Act.

The respondent's claims, as presently framed, are bad at law to the extent that they are frivolous and vexatious.

Final Orders re: Final and Conclusive Rule iro Default Judgments


This application has been brought to court in terms of the provisions of Order 11 Rule 75(1) of the High Court Rules 1971 for the dismissal of claims filed by the respondent in an action under case number HC568/13.

The applicant contends, that, the respondent's claims are frivolous and vexatious.

The application is opposed by the respondent who forcefully argued, through his legal counsel, that the application for dismissal is misguided and an abuse of court process.

Background

The parties were married to each other in terms of the Marriage Act [Chapter 5:11]. The marriage was terminated by order of this court on 28 June 2012.

The respondent was in default.

Both parties reside in the United Kingdom, having left Zimbabwe almost a decade ago.

The terms of the divorce order were as follows:

“1. A decree of divorce be and is hereby granted.

2. Custody of the minor child, namely, Thabiso Dube (male) born on the 22 May 1995 be awarded to the plaintiff with the defendant enjoying access to the child.

3. An order for maintenance at £200 per month.

4. Plaintiff be awarded the following property as her sole and exclusive property:

Wall Unit, plants and ornaments, 2 piece sofas, TV stand, desktop computer, computer table, canon printer, fridge, 4 plate stove, ST Joseph stand and shops (plus movables thereat).

5. Defendant be and is hereby awarded as his sole and exclusive property and the movable assets at the Parklands home, specifically the following:

Double door fridge, 4 plate stove, six kitchen chairs and table, microwave, kitchen utensils, dining room suite, lounge suite, glass TV stand, 2 TVs, sharp radio, phone table, 3 beds, 2 bedroom suites, chest of drawers, dressing table and stool, curtains, Gwanda homestead (plus household goods thereat and livestock).

6. An order that the matrimonial home, being number 16, St David's Road, Parklands, Bulawayo, be sold by the plaintiff or her lawful agents and the proceeds of the sale be shared equally between the parties.

7.1 For the purposes of sale and transfer of the matrimonial home to the successful purchaser, the plaintiff be and is hereby authorized to nominate the conveyancer to attend to such transfer and the Deputy Sheriff, Bulawayo be and is hereby authorized and directed to sign all transfer documents vide the defendant.

7.2 No order as to costs.”

On 1 March 2013, the respondent filed an action in this court seeking the following relief:

“An order directing defendant to deliver all movable assets awarded to the plaintiff by the High Court in case number HC3446/11 housed at number 16 St Davids Road Parklands, Bulawayo, which assets the defendant unlawfully and wrongfully caused to be removed therefrom during the period extending from June 2012 to an unknown date, or, alternatively, failing such delivery payment of the value of the assets in the sum of US$22,960=.”

In paragraph 4 of his Declaration, the plaintiff states as follows:

“Paragraph 5 of the divorce order between the parties awarded the defendant all assets at the Parklands home of the parties including the movable assets listed in Annexure 'A' hereto.”

I note that Annexure “A” referred to in paragraph 4 of the Declaration is in effect the Order for divorce issued by the court on 28 June 2012.

The plaintiff then remarkably claims, in paragraph 5 of his Declaration, that:

“In addition to the assets named in paragraph 5 of Annexure 'A' the parties had also acquired the assets listed in Annexure 'B' attached hereto.”

What is of serious concern is that Annexure “B” is a two page long list of items of property not included or referred to in the original divorce order.

The respondent alleges these assets were acquired by the parties during the course of the marriage.

It is clear that paragraph 5 of the Declaration contradicts the order sought by the plaintiff.

The clear intention of the respondent can only be to mislead the court, because, in the summons, the plaintiff (respondent) in this matter purports to claim the assets (or the values thereof) which were awarded to him in terms of the divorce order.

This is in fact not the case.

The plaintiff is attempting to revisit the distribution of matrimonial assets via the back door. This cannot be proper. The assets have clearly been overvalued so that they equate to US$22,960=, an amount which the applicant claims will wipe out her half share in the sale of the matrimonial house as ordered by the court.

The Legal Position

The respondent is not the owner of the assets listed in Annexure “B” of the summons. The said assets are supposed to be matrimonial property, or assets of the spouses, as defined in section 7(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5:13].

It is settled law, that, matrimonial assets can only be dealt with in an action for divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage in terms of section 2(1) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which states as follows:

“Action for divorce, judicial separation or nullity or marriage means an action by which a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage or other relief in connection therewith is applied for…,.”

In this matter, the established facts are that the parties were divorced by an order of this court granted on 28 June 2012. The divorce order was granted in default of the respondent.

If the respondent was aggrieved with the terms of the divorce order, he should have applied for an order rescinding the judgment of the court in order to obtain what he may have considered to be a just and equitable distribution in terms of section 7(1)(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which provides as follows:

“7(1) Subject to this section, in granting a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage, or, at any time thereafter, an appropriate court may make an order with regard to -

(a) The division, apportionment or distribution of the assets of the spouses, including an order that any asset be transferred from one spouse to the other;”

It is my view, that, the respondent's claim, in the main action, should have been dealt with as a matrimonial action in terms of the Matrimonial Causes Act.

The respondent's claims, as presently framed, are bad at law to the extent that they are frivolous and vexatious.

Interim Interdict or Final Order re: Relief Conflicting with Statutes, Extant Court Orders & Prima Facie Lawful Conduct


This application has been brought to court in terms of the provisions of Order 11 Rule 75(1) of the High Court Rules 1971 for the dismissal of claims filed by the respondent in an action under case number HC568/13.

The applicant contends, that, the respondent's claims are frivolous and vexatious.

The application is opposed by the respondent who forcefully argued, through his legal counsel, that the application for dismissal is misguided and an abuse of court process.

Background

The parties were married to each other in terms of the Marriage Act [Chapter 5:11]. The marriage was terminated by order of this court on 28 June 2012.

The respondent was in default.

Both parties reside in the United Kingdom, having left Zimbabwe almost a decade ago.

The terms of the divorce order were as follows:

“1. A decree of divorce be and is hereby granted.

2. Custody of the minor child, namely, Thabiso Dube (male) born on the 22 May 1995 be awarded to the plaintiff with the defendant enjoying access to the child.

3. An order for maintenance at £200 per month.

4. Plaintiff be awarded the following property as her sole and exclusive property:

Wall Unit, plants and ornaments, 2 piece sofas, TV stand, desktop computer, computer table, canon printer, fridge, 4 plate stove, ST Joseph stand and shops (plus movables thereat).

5. Defendant be and is hereby awarded as his sole and exclusive property and the movable assets at the Parklands home, specifically the following:

Double door fridge, 4 plate stove, six kitchen chairs and table, microwave, kitchen utensils, dining room suite, lounge suite, glass TV stand, 2 TVs, sharp radio, phone table, 3 beds, 2 bedroom suites, chest of drawers, dressing table and stool, curtains, Gwanda homestead (plus household goods thereat and livestock).

6. An order that the matrimonial home, being number 16, St David's Road, Parklands, Bulawayo, be sold by the plaintiff or her lawful agents and the proceeds of the sale be shared equally between the parties.

7.1 For the purposes of sale and transfer of the matrimonial home to the successful purchaser, the plaintiff be and is hereby authorized to nominate the conveyancer to attend to such transfer and the Deputy Sheriff, Bulawayo be and is hereby authorized and directed to sign all transfer documents vide the defendant.

7.2 No order as to costs.”

On 1 March 2013, the respondent filed an action in this court seeking the following relief:

“An order directing defendant to deliver all movable assets awarded to the plaintiff by the High Court in case number HC3446/11 housed at number 16 St Davids Road Parklands, Bulawayo, which assets the defendant unlawfully and wrongfully caused to be removed therefrom during the period extending from June 2012 to an unknown date, or, alternatively, failing such delivery payment of the value of the assets in the sum of US$22,960=.”

In paragraph 4 of his Declaration, the plaintiff states as follows:

“Paragraph 5 of the divorce order between the parties awarded the defendant all assets at the Parklands home of the parties including the movable assets listed in Annexure 'A' hereto.”

I note that Annexure “A” referred to in paragraph 4 of the Declaration is in effect the Order for divorce issued by the court on 28 June 2012.

The plaintiff then remarkably claims, in paragraph 5 of his Declaration, that:

“In addition to the assets named in paragraph 5 of Annexure 'A' the parties had also acquired the assets listed in Annexure 'B' attached hereto.”

What is of serious concern is that Annexure “B” is a two page long list of items of property not included or referred to in the original divorce order.

The respondent alleges these assets were acquired by the parties during the course of the marriage.

It is clear that paragraph 5 of the Declaration contradicts the order sought by the plaintiff.

The clear intention of the respondent can only be to mislead the court, because, in the summons, the plaintiff (respondent) in this matter purports to claim the assets (or the values thereof) which were awarded to him in terms of the divorce order.

This is in fact not the case.

The plaintiff is attempting to revisit the distribution of matrimonial assets via the back door. This cannot be proper. The assets have clearly been overvalued so that they equate to US$22,960=, an amount which the applicant claims will wipe out her half share in the sale of the matrimonial house as ordered by the court.

The Legal Position

The respondent is not the owner of the assets listed in Annexure “B” of the summons. The said assets are supposed to be matrimonial property, or assets of the spouses, as defined in section 7(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5:13].

It is settled law, that, matrimonial assets can only be dealt with in an action for divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage in terms of section 2(1) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which states as follows:

“Action for divorce, judicial separation or nullity or marriage means an action by which a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage or other relief in connection therewith is applied for…,.”

In this matter, the established facts are that the parties were divorced by an order of this court granted on 28 June 2012. The divorce order was granted in default of the respondent.

If the respondent was aggrieved with the terms of the divorce order, he should have applied for an order rescinding the judgment of the court in order to obtain what he may have considered to be a just and equitable distribution in terms of section 7(1)(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which provides as follows:

“7(1) Subject to this section, in granting a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage, or, at any time thereafter, an appropriate court may make an order with regard to -

(a) The division, apportionment or distribution of the assets of the spouses, including an order that any asset be transferred from one spouse to the other;”

It is my view, that, the respondent's claim, in the main action, should have been dealt with as a matrimonial action in terms of the Matrimonial Causes Act.

The respondent's claims, as presently framed, are bad at law to the extent that they are frivolous and vexatious.

Cause of Action and Draft Orders re: Abuse of Process, Frivolous and Vexatious Proceedings & Summary Dismissal


This application has been brought to court in terms of the provisions of Order 11 Rule 75(1) of the High Court Rules 1971 for the dismissal of claims filed by the respondent in an action under case number HC568/13.

The applicant contends, that, the respondent's claims are frivolous and vexatious.

The application is opposed by the respondent who forcefully argued, through his legal counsel, that the application for dismissal is misguided and an abuse of court process.

Background

The parties were married to each other in terms of the Marriage Act [Chapter 5:11]. The marriage was terminated by order of this court on 28 June 2012.

The respondent was in default.

Both parties reside in the United Kingdom, having left Zimbabwe almost a decade ago.

The terms of the divorce order were as follows:

“1. A decree of divorce be and is hereby granted.

2. Custody of the minor child, namely, Thabiso Dube (male) born on the 22 May 1995 be awarded to the plaintiff with the defendant enjoying access to the child.

3. An order for maintenance at £200 per month.

4. Plaintiff be awarded the following property as her sole and exclusive property:

Wall Unit, plants and ornaments, 2 piece sofas, TV stand, desktop computer, computer table, canon printer, fridge, 4 plate stove, ST Joseph stand and shops (plus movables thereat).

5. Defendant be and is hereby awarded as his sole and exclusive property and the movable assets at the Parklands home, specifically the following:

Double door fridge, 4 plate stove, six kitchen chairs and table, microwave, kitchen utensils, dining room suite, lounge suite, glass TV stand, 2 TVs, sharp radio, phone table, 3 beds, 2 bedroom suites, chest of drawers, dressing table and stool, curtains, Gwanda homestead (plus household goods thereat and livestock).

6. An order that the matrimonial home, being number 16, St David's Road, Parklands, Bulawayo, be sold by the plaintiff or her lawful agents and the proceeds of the sale be shared equally between the parties.

7.1 For the purposes of sale and transfer of the matrimonial home to the successful purchaser, the plaintiff be and is hereby authorized to nominate the conveyancer to attend to such transfer and the Deputy Sheriff, Bulawayo be and is hereby authorized and directed to sign all transfer documents vide the defendant.

7.2 No order as to costs.”

On 1 March 2013, the respondent filed an action in this court seeking the following relief:

“An order directing defendant to deliver all movable assets awarded to the plaintiff by the High Court in case number HC3446/11 housed at number 16 St Davids Road Parklands, Bulawayo, which assets the defendant unlawfully and wrongfully caused to be removed therefrom during the period extending from June 2012 to an unknown date, or, alternatively, failing such delivery payment of the value of the assets in the sum of US$22,960=.”

In paragraph 4 of his Declaration, the plaintiff states as follows:

“Paragraph 5 of the divorce order between the parties awarded the defendant all assets at the Parklands home of the parties including the movable assets listed in Annexure 'A' hereto.”

I note that Annexure “A” referred to in paragraph 4 of the Declaration is in effect the Order for divorce issued by the court on 28 June 2012.

The plaintiff then remarkably claims, in paragraph 5 of his Declaration, that:

“In addition to the assets named in paragraph 5 of Annexure 'A' the parties had also acquired the assets listed in Annexure 'B' attached hereto.”

What is of serious concern is that Annexure “B” is a two page long list of items of property not included or referred to in the original divorce order.

The respondent alleges these assets were acquired by the parties during the course of the marriage.

It is clear that paragraph 5 of the Declaration contradicts the order sought by the plaintiff.

The clear intention of the respondent can only be to mislead the court, because, in the summons, the plaintiff (respondent) in this matter purports to claim the assets (or the values thereof) which were awarded to him in terms of the divorce order.

This is in fact not the case.

The plaintiff is attempting to revisit the distribution of matrimonial assets via the back door. This cannot be proper. The assets have clearly been overvalued so that they equate to US$22,960=, an amount which the applicant claims will wipe out her half share in the sale of the matrimonial house as ordered by the court.

The Legal Position

The respondent is not the owner of the assets listed in Annexure “B” of the summons. The said assets are supposed to be matrimonial property, or assets of the spouses, as defined in section 7(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5:13].

It is settled law, that, matrimonial assets can only be dealt with in an action for divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage in terms of section 2(1) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which states as follows:

“Action for divorce, judicial separation or nullity or marriage means an action by which a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage or other relief in connection therewith is applied for…,.”

In this matter, the established facts are that the parties were divorced by an order of this court granted on 28 June 2012. The divorce order was granted in default of the respondent.

If the respondent was aggrieved with the terms of the divorce order, he should have applied for an order rescinding the judgment of the court in order to obtain what he may have considered to be a just and equitable distribution in terms of section 7(1)(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which provides as follows:

“7(1) Subject to this section, in granting a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage, or, at any time thereafter, an appropriate court may make an order with regard to -

(a) The division, apportionment or distribution of the assets of the spouses, including an order that any asset be transferred from one spouse to the other;”

It is my view, that, the respondent's claim, in the main action, should have been dealt with as a matrimonial action in terms of the Matrimonial Causes Act.

The respondent's claims, as presently framed, are bad at law to the extent that they are frivolous and vexatious.

Rule 75(1) of the High Court Rules is designed to assist a defendant by enabling him to apply to court to dismiss a frivolous and vexatious action.

Such an application is the converse of an application for summary judgment and much the same considerations apply, namely, whether the plaintiff has an arguable case. The court will not dismiss an action under this Rule unless satisfied that the likelihood of the case succeeding stands outside the realm of probability altogether.

An action is deemed vexatious if it is impossible to succeed.

See the case of Wood NO v Edwards 1986 (2) RLR 212 and the case of Rogers v Rogers and Another 2008 (1) ZLR 330.

In Rogers v Rogers and Another 2008 (1) ZLR 330 MALABA JA had this to say…,;

“Summary dismissal of an action, in terms of Rule 79(2) of the Rules, is an extraordinary remedy to be granted in exceptional cases. The reason is that granting the remedy has the effect of interfering with the elementary right of free access to the court. The object of the Rule is to enable the court to stop an action which should not have been launched.”

The learned Judge went on to state as follows:

“It appears to me, that, a plaintiff who commences action in a court of law when he has no reasonable grounds to do so has no cause of action. An action without a good cause of action is obviously unsustainable.”

In casu, I am satisfied, that, when the respondent commenced legal proceedings in the manner he did, under case number HC568/13, he knew that he was misleading the court. At the very least, he was aware that the property that he was seeking to obtain through legal process was property that fell outside the initial order of divorce. The respondent was clearly aware, that, if he sought to rescind the default judgment he could do so and invoke the provisions of the Matrimonial Causes Act for an equitable distribution of assets. He elected, however, to proceed on facts that sought to mislead.

The conduct of the respondent, in my view, amounts to abuse of court process. The applicant is entitled to costs in a higher scale.

In the circumstances, I make the following order:

1. The action filed under case number HC568/13 be and is hereby dismissed on the ground that it is frivolous and vexatious.

2. Judgment of absolution from the instance is hereby granted.

3. Respondent is ordered to pay costs on the legal practitioner and client scale.

Cause of Action and Draft Orders re: Approach, Timing, Framing and Legal Basis for Invoking Jurisdiction of the Court


This application has been brought to court in terms of the provisions of Order 11 Rule 75(1) of the High Court Rules 1971 for the dismissal of claims filed by the respondent in an action under case number HC568/13.

The applicant contends, that, the respondent's claims are frivolous and vexatious.

The application is opposed by the respondent who forcefully argued, through his legal counsel, that the application for dismissal is misguided and an abuse of court process.

Background

The parties were married to each other in terms of the Marriage Act [Chapter 5:11]. The marriage was terminated by order of this court on 28 June 2012.

The respondent was in default.

Both parties reside in the United Kingdom, having left Zimbabwe almost a decade ago.

The terms of the divorce order were as follows:

“1. A decree of divorce be and is hereby granted.

2. Custody of the minor child, namely, Thabiso Dube (male) born on the 22 May 1995 be awarded to the plaintiff with the defendant enjoying access to the child.

3. An order for maintenance at £200 per month.

4. Plaintiff be awarded the following property as her sole and exclusive property:

Wall Unit, plants and ornaments, 2 piece sofas, TV stand, desktop computer, computer table, canon printer, fridge, 4 plate stove, ST Joseph stand and shops (plus movables thereat).

5. Defendant be and is hereby awarded as his sole and exclusive property and the movable assets at the Parklands home, specifically the following:

Double door fridge, 4 plate stove, six kitchen chairs and table, microwave, kitchen utensils, dining room suite, lounge suite, glass TV stand, 2 TVs, sharp radio, phone table, 3 beds, 2 bedroom suites, chest of drawers, dressing table and stool, curtains, Gwanda homestead (plus household goods thereat and livestock).

6. An order that the matrimonial home, being number 16, St David's Road, Parklands, Bulawayo, be sold by the plaintiff or her lawful agents and the proceeds of the sale be shared equally between the parties.

7.1 For the purposes of sale and transfer of the matrimonial home to the successful purchaser, the plaintiff be and is hereby authorized to nominate the conveyancer to attend to such transfer and the Deputy Sheriff, Bulawayo be and is hereby authorized and directed to sign all transfer documents vide the defendant.

7.2 No order as to costs.”

On 1 March 2013, the respondent filed an action in this court seeking the following relief:

“An order directing defendant to deliver all movable assets awarded to the plaintiff by the High Court in case number HC3446/11 housed at number 16 St Davids Road Parklands, Bulawayo, which assets the defendant unlawfully and wrongfully caused to be removed therefrom during the period extending from June 2012 to an unknown date, or, alternatively, failing such delivery payment of the value of the assets in the sum of US$22,960=.”

In paragraph 4 of his Declaration, the plaintiff states as follows:

“Paragraph 5 of the divorce order between the parties awarded the defendant all assets at the Parklands home of the parties including the movable assets listed in Annexure 'A' hereto.”

I note that Annexure “A” referred to in paragraph 4 of the Declaration is in effect the Order for divorce issued by the court on 28 June 2012.

The plaintiff then remarkably claims, in paragraph 5 of his Declaration, that:

“In addition to the assets named in paragraph 5 of Annexure 'A' the parties had also acquired the assets listed in Annexure 'B' attached hereto.”

What is of serious concern is that Annexure “B” is a two page long list of items of property not included or referred to in the original divorce order.

The respondent alleges these assets were acquired by the parties during the course of the marriage.

It is clear that paragraph 5 of the Declaration contradicts the order sought by the plaintiff.

The clear intention of the respondent can only be to mislead the court, because, in the summons, the plaintiff (respondent) in this matter purports to claim the assets (or the values thereof) which were awarded to him in terms of the divorce order.

This is in fact not the case.

The plaintiff is attempting to revisit the distribution of matrimonial assets via the back door. This cannot be proper. The assets have clearly been overvalued so that they equate to US$22,960=, an amount which the applicant claims will wipe out her half share in the sale of the matrimonial house as ordered by the court.

The Legal Position

The respondent is not the owner of the assets listed in Annexure “B” of the summons. The said assets are supposed to be matrimonial property, or assets of the spouses, as defined in section 7(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5:13].

It is settled law, that, matrimonial assets can only be dealt with in an action for divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage in terms of section 2(1) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which states as follows:

“Action for divorce, judicial separation or nullity or marriage means an action by which a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage or other relief in connection therewith is applied for…,.”

In this matter, the established facts are that the parties were divorced by an order of this court granted on 28 June 2012. The divorce order was granted in default of the respondent.

If the respondent was aggrieved with the terms of the divorce order, he should have applied for an order rescinding the judgment of the court in order to obtain what he may have considered to be a just and equitable distribution in terms of section 7(1)(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which provides as follows:

“7(1) Subject to this section, in granting a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage, or, at any time thereafter, an appropriate court may make an order with regard to -

(a) The division, apportionment or distribution of the assets of the spouses, including an order that any asset be transferred from one spouse to the other;”

It is my view, that, the respondent's claim, in the main action, should have been dealt with as a matrimonial action in terms of the Matrimonial Causes Act.

The respondent's claims, as presently framed, are bad at law to the extent that they are frivolous and vexatious.

Rule 75(1) of the High Court Rules is designed to assist a defendant by enabling him to apply to court to dismiss a frivolous and vexatious action.

Such an application is the converse of an application for summary judgment and much the same considerations apply, namely, whether the plaintiff has an arguable case. The court will not dismiss an action under this Rule unless satisfied that the likelihood of the case succeeding stands outside the realm of probability altogether.

An action is deemed vexatious if it is impossible to succeed.

See the case of Wood NO v Edwards 1986 (2) RLR 212 and the case of Rogers v Rogers and Another 2008 (1) ZLR 330.

In Rogers v Rogers and Another 2008 (1) ZLR 330 MALABA JA had this to say…,;

“Summary dismissal of an action, in terms of Rule 79(2) of the Rules, is an extraordinary remedy to be granted in exceptional cases. The reason is that granting the remedy has the effect of interfering with the elementary right of free access to the court. The object of the Rule is to enable the court to stop an action which should not have been launched.”

The learned Judge went on to state as follows:

“It appears to me, that, a plaintiff who commences action in a court of law when he has no reasonable grounds to do so has no cause of action. An action without a good cause of action is obviously unsustainable.”

In casu, I am satisfied, that, when the respondent commenced legal proceedings in the manner he did, under case number HC568/13, he knew that he was misleading the court. At the very least, he was aware that the property that he was seeking to obtain through legal process was property that fell outside the initial order of divorce. The respondent was clearly aware, that, if he sought to rescind the default judgment he could do so and invoke the provisions of the Matrimonial Causes Act for an equitable distribution of assets. He elected, however, to proceed on facts that sought to mislead.

The conduct of the respondent, in my view, amounts to abuse of court process. The applicant is entitled to costs in a higher scale.

In the circumstances, I make the following order:

1. The action filed under case number HC568/13 be and is hereby dismissed on the ground that it is frivolous and vexatious.

2. Judgment of absolution from the instance is hereby granted.

3. Respondent is ordered to pay costs on the legal practitioner and client scale.

Constitutional Rights re: Access to Courts, Legal Literacy, Judicial Independence, Impartiality, Dignity and Competence


This application has been brought to court in terms of the provisions of Order 11 Rule 75(1) of the High Court Rules 1971 for the dismissal of claims filed by the respondent in an action under case number HC568/13.

The applicant contends, that, the respondent's claims are frivolous and vexatious.

The application is opposed by the respondent who forcefully argued, through his legal counsel, that the application for dismissal is misguided and an abuse of court process.

Background

The parties were married to each other in terms of the Marriage Act [Chapter 5:11]. The marriage was terminated by order of this court on 28 June 2012.

The respondent was in default.

Both parties reside in the United Kingdom, having left Zimbabwe almost a decade ago.

The terms of the divorce order were as follows:

“1. A decree of divorce be and is hereby granted.

2. Custody of the minor child, namely, Thabiso Dube (male) born on the 22 May 1995 be awarded to the plaintiff with the defendant enjoying access to the child.

3. An order for maintenance at £200 per month.

4. Plaintiff be awarded the following property as her sole and exclusive property:

Wall Unit, plants and ornaments, 2 piece sofas, TV stand, desktop computer, computer table, canon printer, fridge, 4 plate stove, ST Joseph stand and shops (plus movables thereat).

5. Defendant be and is hereby awarded as his sole and exclusive property and the movable assets at the Parklands home, specifically the following:

Double door fridge, 4 plate stove, six kitchen chairs and table, microwave, kitchen utensils, dining room suite, lounge suite, glass TV stand, 2 TVs, sharp radio, phone table, 3 beds, 2 bedroom suites, chest of drawers, dressing table and stool, curtains, Gwanda homestead (plus household goods thereat and livestock).

6. An order that the matrimonial home, being number 16, St David's Road, Parklands, Bulawayo, be sold by the plaintiff or her lawful agents and the proceeds of the sale be shared equally between the parties.

7.1 For the purposes of sale and transfer of the matrimonial home to the successful purchaser, the plaintiff be and is hereby authorized to nominate the conveyancer to attend to such transfer and the Deputy Sheriff, Bulawayo be and is hereby authorized and directed to sign all transfer documents vide the defendant.

7.2 No order as to costs.”

On 1 March 2013, the respondent filed an action in this court seeking the following relief:

“An order directing defendant to deliver all movable assets awarded to the plaintiff by the High Court in case number HC3446/11 housed at number 16 St Davids Road Parklands, Bulawayo, which assets the defendant unlawfully and wrongfully caused to be removed therefrom during the period extending from June 2012 to an unknown date, or, alternatively, failing such delivery payment of the value of the assets in the sum of US$22,960=.”

In paragraph 4 of his Declaration, the plaintiff states as follows:

“Paragraph 5 of the divorce order between the parties awarded the defendant all assets at the Parklands home of the parties including the movable assets listed in Annexure 'A' hereto.”

I note that Annexure “A” referred to in paragraph 4 of the Declaration is in effect the Order for divorce issued by the court on 28 June 2012.

The plaintiff then remarkably claims, in paragraph 5 of his Declaration, that:

“In addition to the assets named in paragraph 5 of Annexure 'A' the parties had also acquired the assets listed in Annexure 'B' attached hereto.”

What is of serious concern is that Annexure “B” is a two page long list of items of property not included or referred to in the original divorce order.

The respondent alleges these assets were acquired by the parties during the course of the marriage.

It is clear that paragraph 5 of the Declaration contradicts the order sought by the plaintiff.

The clear intention of the respondent can only be to mislead the court, because, in the summons, the plaintiff (respondent) in this matter purports to claim the assets (or the values thereof) which were awarded to him in terms of the divorce order.

This is in fact not the case.

The plaintiff is attempting to revisit the distribution of matrimonial assets via the back door. This cannot be proper. The assets have clearly been overvalued so that they equate to US$22,960=, an amount which the applicant claims will wipe out her half share in the sale of the matrimonial house as ordered by the court.

The Legal Position

The respondent is not the owner of the assets listed in Annexure “B” of the summons. The said assets are supposed to be matrimonial property, or assets of the spouses, as defined in section 7(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5:13].

It is settled law, that, matrimonial assets can only be dealt with in an action for divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage in terms of section 2(1) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which states as follows:

“Action for divorce, judicial separation or nullity or marriage means an action by which a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage or other relief in connection therewith is applied for…,.”

In this matter, the established facts are that the parties were divorced by an order of this court granted on 28 June 2012. The divorce order was granted in default of the respondent.

If the respondent was aggrieved with the terms of the divorce order, he should have applied for an order rescinding the judgment of the court in order to obtain what he may have considered to be a just and equitable distribution in terms of section 7(1)(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which provides as follows:

“7(1) Subject to this section, in granting a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage, or, at any time thereafter, an appropriate court may make an order with regard to -

(a) The division, apportionment or distribution of the assets of the spouses, including an order that any asset be transferred from one spouse to the other;”

It is my view, that, the respondent's claim, in the main action, should have been dealt with as a matrimonial action in terms of the Matrimonial Causes Act.

The respondent's claims, as presently framed, are bad at law to the extent that they are frivolous and vexatious.

Rule 75(1) of the High Court Rules is designed to assist a defendant by enabling him to apply to court to dismiss a frivolous and vexatious action.

Such an application is the converse of an application for summary judgment and much the same considerations apply, namely, whether the plaintiff has an arguable case. The court will not dismiss an action under this Rule unless satisfied that the likelihood of the case succeeding stands outside the realm of probability altogether.

An action is deemed vexatious if it is impossible to succeed.

See the case of Wood NO v Edwards 1986 (2) RLR 212 and the case of Rogers v Rogers and Another 2008 (1) ZLR 330.

In Rogers v Rogers and Another 2008 (1) ZLR 330 MALABA JA had this to say…,;

“Summary dismissal of an action, in terms of Rule 79(2) of the Rules, is an extraordinary remedy to be granted in exceptional cases. The reason is that granting the remedy has the effect of interfering with the elementary right of free access to the court. The object of the Rule is to enable the court to stop an action which should not have been launched.”

The learned Judge went on to state as follows:

“It appears to me, that, a plaintiff who commences action in a court of law when he has no reasonable grounds to do so has no cause of action. An action without a good cause of action is obviously unsustainable.”

In casu, I am satisfied, that, when the respondent commenced legal proceedings in the manner he did, under case number HC568/13, he knew that he was misleading the court. At the very least, he was aware that the property that he was seeking to obtain through legal process was property that fell outside the initial order of divorce. The respondent was clearly aware, that, if he sought to rescind the default judgment he could do so and invoke the provisions of the Matrimonial Causes Act for an equitable distribution of assets. He elected, however, to proceed on facts that sought to mislead.

The conduct of the respondent, in my view, amounts to abuse of court process. The applicant is entitled to costs in a higher scale.

In the circumstances, I make the following order:

1. The action filed under case number HC568/13 be and is hereby dismissed on the ground that it is frivolous and vexatious.

2. Judgment of absolution from the instance is hereby granted.

3. Respondent is ordered to pay costs on the legal practitioner and client scale.

Pleadings re: Nullity of Proceedings or Acts, Peremptory Provisions & the Doctrines of Strict and Substantial Compliance


This application has been brought to court in terms of the provisions of Order 11 Rule 75(1) of the High Court Rules 1971 for the dismissal of claims filed by the respondent in an action under case number HC568/13.

The applicant contends, that, the respondent's claims are frivolous and vexatious.

The application is opposed by the respondent who forcefully argued, through his legal counsel, that the application for dismissal is misguided and an abuse of court process.

Background

The parties were married to each other in terms of the Marriage Act [Chapter 5:11]. The marriage was terminated by order of this court on 28 June 2012.

The respondent was in default.

Both parties reside in the United Kingdom, having left Zimbabwe almost a decade ago.

The terms of the divorce order were as follows:

“1. A decree of divorce be and is hereby granted.

2. Custody of the minor child, namely, Thabiso Dube (male) born on the 22 May 1995 be awarded to the plaintiff with the defendant enjoying access to the child.

3. An order for maintenance at £200 per month.

4. Plaintiff be awarded the following property as her sole and exclusive property:

Wall Unit, plants and ornaments, 2 piece sofas, TV stand, desktop computer, computer table, canon printer, fridge, 4 plate stove, ST Joseph stand and shops (plus movables thereat).

5. Defendant be and is hereby awarded as his sole and exclusive property and the movable assets at the Parklands home, specifically the following:

Double door fridge, 4 plate stove, six kitchen chairs and table, microwave, kitchen utensils, dining room suite, lounge suite, glass TV stand, 2 TVs, sharp radio, phone table, 3 beds, 2 bedroom suites, chest of drawers, dressing table and stool, curtains, Gwanda homestead (plus household goods thereat and livestock).

6. An order that the matrimonial home, being number 16, St David's Road, Parklands, Bulawayo, be sold by the plaintiff or her lawful agents and the proceeds of the sale be shared equally between the parties.

7.1 For the purposes of sale and transfer of the matrimonial home to the successful purchaser, the plaintiff be and is hereby authorized to nominate the conveyancer to attend to such transfer and the Deputy Sheriff, Bulawayo be and is hereby authorized and directed to sign all transfer documents vide the defendant.

7.2 No order as to costs.”

On 1 March 2013, the respondent filed an action in this court seeking the following relief:

“An order directing defendant to deliver all movable assets awarded to the plaintiff by the High Court in case number HC3446/11 housed at number 16 St Davids Road Parklands, Bulawayo, which assets the defendant unlawfully and wrongfully caused to be removed therefrom during the period extending from June 2012 to an unknown date, or, alternatively, failing such delivery payment of the value of the assets in the sum of US$22,960=.”

In paragraph 4 of his Declaration, the plaintiff states as follows:

“Paragraph 5 of the divorce order between the parties awarded the defendant all assets at the Parklands home of the parties including the movable assets listed in Annexure 'A' hereto.”

I note that Annexure “A” referred to in paragraph 4 of the Declaration is in effect the Order for divorce issued by the court on 28 June 2012.

The plaintiff then remarkably claims, in paragraph 5 of his Declaration, that:

“In addition to the assets named in paragraph 5 of Annexure 'A' the parties had also acquired the assets listed in Annexure 'B' attached hereto.”

What is of serious concern is that Annexure “B” is a two page long list of items of property not included or referred to in the original divorce order.

The respondent alleges these assets were acquired by the parties during the course of the marriage.

It is clear that paragraph 5 of the Declaration contradicts the order sought by the plaintiff.

The clear intention of the respondent can only be to mislead the court, because, in the summons, the plaintiff (respondent) in this matter purports to claim the assets (or the values thereof) which were awarded to him in terms of the divorce order.

This is in fact not the case.

The plaintiff is attempting to revisit the distribution of matrimonial assets via the back door. This cannot be proper. The assets have clearly been overvalued so that they equate to US$22,960=, an amount which the applicant claims will wipe out her half share in the sale of the matrimonial house as ordered by the court.

The Legal Position

The respondent is not the owner of the assets listed in Annexure “B” of the summons. The said assets are supposed to be matrimonial property, or assets of the spouses, as defined in section 7(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5:13].

It is settled law, that, matrimonial assets can only be dealt with in an action for divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage in terms of section 2(1) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which states as follows:

“Action for divorce, judicial separation or nullity or marriage means an action by which a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage or other relief in connection therewith is applied for…,.”

In this matter, the established facts are that the parties were divorced by an order of this court granted on 28 June 2012. The divorce order was granted in default of the respondent.

If the respondent was aggrieved with the terms of the divorce order, he should have applied for an order rescinding the judgment of the court in order to obtain what he may have considered to be a just and equitable distribution in terms of section 7(1)(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which provides as follows:

“7(1) Subject to this section, in granting a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage, or, at any time thereafter, an appropriate court may make an order with regard to -

(a) The division, apportionment or distribution of the assets of the spouses, including an order that any asset be transferred from one spouse to the other;”

It is my view, that, the respondent's claim, in the main action, should have been dealt with as a matrimonial action in terms of the Matrimonial Causes Act.

The respondent's claims, as presently framed, are bad at law to the extent that they are frivolous and vexatious.

Rule 75(1) of the High Court Rules is designed to assist a defendant by enabling him to apply to court to dismiss a frivolous and vexatious action.

Such an application is the converse of an application for summary judgment and much the same considerations apply, namely, whether the plaintiff has an arguable case. The court will not dismiss an action under this Rule unless satisfied that the likelihood of the case succeeding stands outside the realm of probability altogether.

An action is deemed vexatious if it is impossible to succeed.

See the case of Wood NO v Edwards 1986 (2) RLR 212 and the case of Rogers v Rogers and Another 2008 (1) ZLR 330.

In Rogers v Rogers and Another 2008 (1) ZLR 330 MALABA JA had this to say…,;

“Summary dismissal of an action, in terms of Rule 79(2) of the Rules, is an extraordinary remedy to be granted in exceptional cases. The reason is that granting the remedy has the effect of interfering with the elementary right of free access to the court. The object of the Rule is to enable the court to stop an action which should not have been launched.”

The learned Judge went on to state as follows:

“It appears to me, that, a plaintiff who commences action in a court of law when he has no reasonable grounds to do so has no cause of action. An action without a good cause of action is obviously unsustainable.”

In casu, I am satisfied, that, when the respondent commenced legal proceedings in the manner he did, under case number HC568/13, he knew that he was misleading the court. At the very least, he was aware that the property that he was seeking to obtain through legal process was property that fell outside the initial order of divorce. The respondent was clearly aware, that, if he sought to rescind the default judgment he could do so and invoke the provisions of the Matrimonial Causes Act for an equitable distribution of assets. He elected, however, to proceed on facts that sought to mislead.

The conduct of the respondent, in my view, amounts to abuse of court process. The applicant is entitled to costs in a higher scale.

In the circumstances, I make the following order:

1. The action filed under case number HC568/13 be and is hereby dismissed on the ground that it is frivolous and vexatious.

2. Judgment of absolution from the instance is hereby granted.

3. Respondent is ordered to pay costs on the legal practitioner and client scale.

Final Orders re: Approach iro Effect of an Order of Dismissal


This application has been brought to court in terms of the provisions of Order 11 Rule 75(1) of the High Court Rules 1971 for the dismissal of claims filed by the respondent in an action under case number HC568/13.

The applicant contends, that, the respondent's claims are frivolous and vexatious.

The application is opposed by the respondent who forcefully argued, through his legal counsel, that the application for dismissal is misguided and an abuse of court process.

Background

The parties were married to each other in terms of the Marriage Act [Chapter 5:11]. The marriage was terminated by order of this court on 28 June 2012.

The respondent was in default.

Both parties reside in the United Kingdom, having left Zimbabwe almost a decade ago.

The terms of the divorce order were as follows:

“1. A decree of divorce be and is hereby granted.

2. Custody of the minor child, namely, Thabiso Dube (male) born on the 22 May 1995 be awarded to the plaintiff with the defendant enjoying access to the child.

3. An order for maintenance at £200 per month.

4. Plaintiff be awarded the following property as her sole and exclusive property:

Wall Unit, plants and ornaments, 2 piece sofas, TV stand, desktop computer, computer table, canon printer, fridge, 4 plate stove, ST Joseph stand and shops (plus movables thereat).

5. Defendant be and is hereby awarded as his sole and exclusive property and the movable assets at the Parklands home, specifically the following:

Double door fridge, 4 plate stove, six kitchen chairs and table, microwave, kitchen utensils, dining room suite, lounge suite, glass TV stand, 2 TVs, sharp radio, phone table, 3 beds, 2 bedroom suites, chest of drawers, dressing table and stool, curtains, Gwanda homestead (plus household goods thereat and livestock).

6. An order that the matrimonial home, being number 16, St David's Road, Parklands, Bulawayo, be sold by the plaintiff or her lawful agents and the proceeds of the sale be shared equally between the parties.

7.1 For the purposes of sale and transfer of the matrimonial home to the successful purchaser, the plaintiff be and is hereby authorized to nominate the conveyancer to attend to such transfer and the Deputy Sheriff, Bulawayo be and is hereby authorized and directed to sign all transfer documents vide the defendant.

7.2 No order as to costs.”

On 1 March 2013, the respondent filed an action in this court seeking the following relief:

“An order directing defendant to deliver all movable assets awarded to the plaintiff by the High Court in case number HC3446/11 housed at number 16 St Davids Road Parklands, Bulawayo, which assets the defendant unlawfully and wrongfully caused to be removed therefrom during the period extending from June 2012 to an unknown date, or, alternatively, failing such delivery payment of the value of the assets in the sum of US$22,960=.”

In paragraph 4 of his Declaration, the plaintiff states as follows:

“Paragraph 5 of the divorce order between the parties awarded the defendant all assets at the Parklands home of the parties including the movable assets listed in Annexure 'A' hereto.”

I note that Annexure “A” referred to in paragraph 4 of the Declaration is in effect the Order for divorce issued by the court on 28 June 2012.

The plaintiff then remarkably claims, in paragraph 5 of his Declaration, that:

“In addition to the assets named in paragraph 5 of Annexure 'A' the parties had also acquired the assets listed in Annexure 'B' attached hereto.”

What is of serious concern is that Annexure “B” is a two page long list of items of property not included or referred to in the original divorce order.

The respondent alleges these assets were acquired by the parties during the course of the marriage.

It is clear that paragraph 5 of the Declaration contradicts the order sought by the plaintiff.

The clear intention of the respondent can only be to mislead the court, because, in the summons, the plaintiff (respondent) in this matter purports to claim the assets (or the values thereof) which were awarded to him in terms of the divorce order.

This is in fact not the case.

The plaintiff is attempting to revisit the distribution of matrimonial assets via the back door. This cannot be proper. The assets have clearly been overvalued so that they equate to US$22,960=, an amount which the applicant claims will wipe out her half share in the sale of the matrimonial house as ordered by the court.

The Legal Position

The respondent is not the owner of the assets listed in Annexure “B” of the summons. The said assets are supposed to be matrimonial property, or assets of the spouses, as defined in section 7(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5:13].

It is settled law, that, matrimonial assets can only be dealt with in an action for divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage in terms of section 2(1) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which states as follows:

“Action for divorce, judicial separation or nullity or marriage means an action by which a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage or other relief in connection therewith is applied for…,.”

In this matter, the established facts are that the parties were divorced by an order of this court granted on 28 June 2012. The divorce order was granted in default of the respondent.

If the respondent was aggrieved with the terms of the divorce order, he should have applied for an order rescinding the judgment of the court in order to obtain what he may have considered to be a just and equitable distribution in terms of section 7(1)(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which provides as follows:

“7(1) Subject to this section, in granting a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage, or, at any time thereafter, an appropriate court may make an order with regard to -

(a) The division, apportionment or distribution of the assets of the spouses, including an order that any asset be transferred from one spouse to the other;”

It is my view, that, the respondent's claim, in the main action, should have been dealt with as a matrimonial action in terms of the Matrimonial Causes Act.

The respondent's claims, as presently framed, are bad at law to the extent that they are frivolous and vexatious.

Rule 75(1) of the High Court Rules is designed to assist a defendant by enabling him to apply to court to dismiss a frivolous and vexatious action.

Such an application is the converse of an application for summary judgment and much the same considerations apply, namely, whether the plaintiff has an arguable case. The court will not dismiss an action under this Rule unless satisfied that the likelihood of the case succeeding stands outside the realm of probability altogether.

An action is deemed vexatious if it is impossible to succeed.

See the case of Wood NO v Edwards 1986 (2) RLR 212 and the case of Rogers v Rogers and Another 2008 (1) ZLR 330.

In Rogers v Rogers and Another 2008 (1) ZLR 330 MALABA JA had this to say…,;

“Summary dismissal of an action, in terms of Rule 79(2) of the Rules, is an extraordinary remedy to be granted in exceptional cases. The reason is that granting the remedy has the effect of interfering with the elementary right of free access to the court. The object of the Rule is to enable the court to stop an action which should not have been launched.”

The learned Judge went on to state as follows:

“It appears to me, that, a plaintiff who commences action in a court of law when he has no reasonable grounds to do so has no cause of action. An action without a good cause of action is obviously unsustainable.”

In casu, I am satisfied, that, when the respondent commenced legal proceedings in the manner he did, under case number HC568/13, he knew that he was misleading the court. At the very least, he was aware that the property that he was seeking to obtain through legal process was property that fell outside the initial order of divorce. The respondent was clearly aware, that, if he sought to rescind the default judgment he could do so and invoke the provisions of the Matrimonial Causes Act for an equitable distribution of assets. He elected, however, to proceed on facts that sought to mislead.

The conduct of the respondent, in my view, amounts to abuse of court process. The applicant is entitled to costs in a higher scale.

In the circumstances, I make the following order:

1. The action filed under case number HC568/13 be and is hereby dismissed on the ground that it is frivolous and vexatious.

2. Judgment of absolution from the instance is hereby granted.

3. Respondent is ordered to pay costs on the legal practitioner and client scale.

Costs re: Matrimonial Proceedings


In casu, I am satisfied, that, when the respondent commenced legal proceedings in the manner he did, under case number HC568/13, he knew that he was misleading the court.

At the very least, he was aware that the property that he was seeking to obtain through legal process was property that fell outside the initial order of divorce. The respondent was clearly aware, that, if he sought to rescind the default judgment he could do so and invoke the provisions of the Matrimonial Causes Act for an equitable distribution of assets. He elected, however, to proceed on facts that sought to mislead.

The conduct of the respondent, in my view, amounts to abuse of court process. The applicant is entitled to costs in a higher scale....,.

1....,.

2....,.

3. Respondent is ordered to pay costs on the legal practitioner and client scale.

Costs re: Punitive Order of Costs or Punitive Costs


In casu, I am satisfied, that, when the respondent commenced legal proceedings in the manner he did, under case number HC568/13, he knew that he was misleading the court.

At the very least, he was aware that the property that he was seeking to obtain through legal process was property that fell outside the initial order of divorce. The respondent was clearly aware, that, if he sought to rescind the default judgment he could do so and invoke the provisions of the Matrimonial Causes Act for an equitable distribution of assets. He elected, however, to proceed on facts that sought to mislead.

The conduct of the respondent, in my view, amounts to abuse of court process. The applicant is entitled to costs in a higher scale....,.

1....,.

2....,.

3. Respondent is ordered to pay costs on the legal practitioner and client scale.

Absolution from the Instance, Evidential Deficit and the Concept of Prima Facie


This application has been brought to court in terms of the provisions of Order 11 Rule 75(1) of the High Court Rules 1971 for the dismissal of claims filed by the respondent in an action under case number HC568/13.

The applicant contends, that, the respondent's claims are frivolous and vexatious.

The application is opposed by the respondent who forcefully argued, through his legal counsel, that the application for dismissal is misguided and an abuse of court process.

Background

The parties were married to each other in terms of the Marriage Act [Chapter 5:11]. The marriage was terminated by order of this court on 28 June 2012.

The respondent was in default.

Both parties reside in the United Kingdom, having left Zimbabwe almost a decade ago.

The terms of the divorce order were as follows:

“1. A decree of divorce be and is hereby granted.

2. Custody of the minor child, namely, Thabiso Dube (male) born on the 22 May 1995 be awarded to the plaintiff with the defendant enjoying access to the child.

3. An order for maintenance at £200 per month.

4. Plaintiff be awarded the following property as her sole and exclusive property:

Wall Unit, plants and ornaments, 2 piece sofas, TV stand, desktop computer, computer table, canon printer, fridge, 4 plate stove, ST Joseph stand and shops (plus movables thereat).

5. Defendant be and is hereby awarded as his sole and exclusive property and the movable assets at the Parklands home, specifically the following:

Double door fridge, 4 plate stove, six kitchen chairs and table, microwave, kitchen utensils, dining room suite, lounge suite, glass TV stand, 2 TVs, sharp radio, phone table, 3 beds, 2 bedroom suites, chest of drawers, dressing table and stool, curtains, Gwanda homestead (plus household goods thereat and livestock).

6. An order that the matrimonial home, being number 16, St David's Road, Parklands, Bulawayo, be sold by the plaintiff or her lawful agents and the proceeds of the sale be shared equally between the parties.

7.1 For the purposes of sale and transfer of the matrimonial home to the successful purchaser, the plaintiff be and is hereby authorized to nominate the conveyancer to attend to such transfer and the Deputy Sheriff, Bulawayo be and is hereby authorized and directed to sign all transfer documents vide the defendant.

7.2 No order as to costs.”

On 1 March 2013, the respondent filed an action in this court seeking the following relief:

“An order directing defendant to deliver all movable assets awarded to the plaintiff by the High Court in case number HC3446/11 housed at number 16 St Davids Road Parklands, Bulawayo, which assets the defendant unlawfully and wrongfully caused to be removed therefrom during the period extending from June 2012 to an unknown date, or, alternatively, failing such delivery payment of the value of the assets in the sum of US$22,960=.”

In paragraph 4 of his Declaration, the plaintiff states as follows:

“Paragraph 5 of the divorce order between the parties awarded the defendant all assets at the Parklands home of the parties including the movable assets listed in Annexure 'A' hereto.”

I note that Annexure “A” referred to in paragraph 4 of the Declaration is in effect the Order for divorce issued by the court on 28 June 2012.

The plaintiff then remarkably claims, in paragraph 5 of his Declaration, that:

“In addition to the assets named in paragraph 5 of Annexure 'A' the parties had also acquired the assets listed in Annexure 'B' attached hereto.”

What is of serious concern is that Annexure “B” is a two page long list of items of property not included or referred to in the original divorce order.

The respondent alleges these assets were acquired by the parties during the course of the marriage.

It is clear that paragraph 5 of the Declaration contradicts the order sought by the plaintiff.

The clear intention of the respondent can only be to mislead the court, because, in the summons, the plaintiff (respondent) in this matter purports to claim the assets (or the values thereof) which were awarded to him in terms of the divorce order.

This is in fact not the case.

The plaintiff is attempting to revisit the distribution of matrimonial assets via the back door. This cannot be proper. The assets have clearly been overvalued so that they equate to US$22,960=, an amount which the applicant claims will wipe out her half share in the sale of the matrimonial house as ordered by the court.

The Legal Position

The respondent is not the owner of the assets listed in Annexure “B” of the summons. The said assets are supposed to be matrimonial property, or assets of the spouses, as defined in section 7(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5:13].

It is settled law, that, matrimonial assets can only be dealt with in an action for divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage in terms of section 2(1) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which states as follows:

“Action for divorce, judicial separation or nullity or marriage means an action by which a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage or other relief in connection therewith is applied for…,.”

In this matter, the established facts are that the parties were divorced by an order of this court granted on 28 June 2012. The divorce order was granted in default of the respondent.

If the respondent was aggrieved with the terms of the divorce order, he should have applied for an order rescinding the judgment of the court in order to obtain what he may have considered to be a just and equitable distribution in terms of section 7(1)(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which provides as follows:

“7(1) Subject to this section, in granting a decree of divorce, judicial separation, or nullity of marriage, or, at any time thereafter, an appropriate court may make an order with regard to -

(a) The division, apportionment or distribution of the assets of the spouses, including an order that any asset be transferred from one spouse to the other;”

It is my view, that, the respondent's claim, in the main action, should have been dealt with as a matrimonial action in terms of the Matrimonial Causes Act.

The respondent's claims, as presently framed, are bad at law to the extent that they are frivolous and vexatious.

Rule 75(1) of the High Court Rules is designed to assist a defendant by enabling him to apply to court to dismiss a frivolous and vexatious action.

Such an application is the converse of an application for summary judgment and much the same considerations apply, namely, whether the plaintiff has an arguable case. The court will not dismiss an action under this Rule unless satisfied that the likelihood of the case succeeding stands outside the realm of probability altogether.

An action is deemed vexatious if it is impossible to succeed.

See the case of Wood NO v Edwards 1986 (2) RLR 212 and the case of Rogers v Rogers and Another 2008 (1) ZLR 330.

In Rogers v Rogers and Another 2008 (1) ZLR 330 MALABA JA had this to say…,;

“Summary dismissal of an action, in terms of Rule 79(2) of the Rules, is an extraordinary remedy to be granted in exceptional cases. The reason is that granting the remedy has the effect of interfering with the elementary right of free access to the court. The object of the Rule is to enable the court to stop an action which should not have been launched.”

The learned Judge went on to state as follows:

“It appears to me, that, a plaintiff who commences action in a court of law when he has no reasonable grounds to do so has no cause of action. An action without a good cause of action is obviously unsustainable.”

In casu, I am satisfied, that, when the respondent commenced legal proceedings in the manner he did, under case number HC568/13, he knew that he was misleading the court. At the very least, he was aware that the property that he was seeking to obtain through legal process was property that fell outside the initial order of divorce. The respondent was clearly aware, that, if he sought to rescind the default judgment he could do so and invoke the provisions of the Matrimonial Causes Act for an equitable distribution of assets. He elected, however, to proceed on facts that sought to mislead.

The conduct of the respondent, in my view, amounts to abuse of court process. The applicant is entitled to costs in a higher scale.

In the circumstances, I make the following order:

1. The action filed under case number HC568/13 be and is hereby dismissed on the ground that it is frivolous and vexatious.

2. Judgment of absolution from the instance is hereby granted.

3. Respondent is ordered to pay costs on the legal practitioner and client scale.

Opposed Application

MAKONESE J: This application has been brought to court in terms of the provisions of Order 11 Rule 75(1) of the High Court Rules, 1971, for the dismissal of claims filed by the respondent in an action under case number HC568/13. The applicant contends that the respondent's claims are frivolous and vexatious.

The application is opposed by the respondent who forcefully argued through his legal counsel that the application for dismissal is misguided and an abuse of court process.

Background

The parties were married to each other in terms of the Marriage Act [Chapter 5:11]. The marriage was terminated by order of this court on 28 June 2012.

The respondent was in default.

Both parties reside in the United Kingdom, having left Zimbabwe almost a decade ago.

The terms of the divorce order were as follows:

“1. A decree of divorce be and is hereby granted.

2. Custody of the minor child namely Thabiso Dube (male) born on the 22 May 1995 be awarded to the plaintiff with the defendant enjoying access to the child.

3. An order for maintenance at £200 per month.

4. Plaintiff be awarded the following property as her sole and exclusive property:

Wall Unit, plants and ornaments, 2 piece sofas, TV stand, desktop, computer, computer table, canon printer, fridge, 4 plate stove, ST Joseph stand and shops (plus movables thereat).

5. Defendant be and is hereby awarded as his sole and exclusive property and the movable assets at the Parklands Home, specifically the following:

Double door fridge, 4 plate stove, six kitchen chairs and table, microwave, kitchen utensils, dining room suite, lounge suite, glass TV stand, 2 TVs, sharp radio, phone table, 3 beds, 2 bedroom suites, chest of drawers, dressing table and stool, curtains, Gwanda homestead (plus household goods thereat and livestock).

6. An order that the matrimonial home being number 16, St David's Road, Parklands, Bulawayo, be sold by the plaintiff or her lawful agents and the proceeds of the sale be shared equally between the parties.

7.1 For the purposes of sale and transfer of the matrimonial home to the successful purchaser the plaintiff be and is hereby authorized to nominate the conveyancer to attend to such transfer and the Deputy Sheriff, Bulawayo be and is hereby authorized and directed to sign all transfer documents vide the defendant.

7.2 No order as to costs.”

On 1 March 2013 the respondent filed an action in this court seeking the following relief:

“An order directing defendant to deliver all movable assets awarded to the plaintiff by the High Court in case number HC3446/11 housed at number 16 St Davids Road Parklands, Bulawayo, which assets the defendant unlawfully and wrongfully caused to be removed therefrom during the period extending from June 2012 to an unknown date or alternatively failing such delivery payment of the value of the assets in the sum of US$22,960.00.”

In paragraph 4 of his Declaration, the plaintiff states as follows:

“Paragraph 5 of the divorce order between the parties awarded the defendant all assets at the Parklands home of the parties including the movable assets listed in Annexure “A” hereto.”

I note that Annexure “A” referred to in paragraph 4 of the Declaration is in effect the Order for divorce issued by the court on 28 June 2012.

The plaintiff then remarkably claims in paragraph 5 of his Declaration that:

“In addition to the assets named in paragraph 5 of Annexure 'A' the parties had also acquired the assets listed in Annexure 'B' attached hereto.”

What it of serious concern is that Annexure “B” is a two page long list of items of property not included or referred to in the original divorce order.

Respondent alleges these assets were acquired by the parties during the course of the marriage.

It is clear that paragraph 5 of the Declaration contradicts the order sought by the plaintiff.

The clear intention of the respondent can only be to mislead the court because in the summons the plaintiff (respondent) in this matter purports to claim the assets (or the values thereof) which were awarded to him in terms of the divorce order.

This is in fact not the case.

The plaintiff is attempting to revisit the distribution of matrimonial assets via the back door. This cannot be proper. The assets have clearly been overvalued so that they equate to US$22,960-00, an amount, which the Applicant claims will wipe out her half share in the sale of the matrimonial house as ordered by the court.

The Legal Position

The respondent is not the owner of the assets listed in Annexure “B” of the summons. The said assets are supposed to be matrimonial property or assets of the spouses as defined in section 7(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5:13].

It is settled law that matrimonial assets can only be dealt with in an action for divorce, judicial separation or nullity of marriage in terms of section 2(1) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which states as follows:

“Action for divorce, judicial separation or nullity or marriage means an action by which a decree of divorce, judicial separation or nullity of marriage or other relief in connection therewith is applied for ----.”

In this matter the established facts are that the parties were divorced by an order of this court granted on 28 June 2012. The divorce order was granted in default of the respondent. If the respondent was aggrieved with the terms of the divorce order, he should have applied of an order rescinding the judgment of the court in order to obtain what he may have considered to be a just and equitable distribution in terms of section 7(1)(a) of the Matrimonial Causes Act which provides as follows:

“7(1) Subject to this section, in granting a decree of divorce, judicial separation or nullity of marriage, or at any time thereafter, an appropriate court may make an order with regard to -

(a) the division, apportionment or distribution of the assets of the spouses, including an order that any asset be transferred from one spouse to the other;”

It is my view that the respondent's claim in the main action should have been dealt with as a matrimonial action in terms of the Matrimonial Causes Act. The respondent's claims as presently framed are bad at law to the extent that they are frivolous and vexatious.

Rule 75(1) of the High Court Rules is designed to assist a defendant by enabling him to apply to court to dismiss a frivolous and vexatious action.

Such an application is the converse of an application for summary judgment and much the same considerations apply, namely whether the plaintiff has an arguable case. The court will not dismiss an action under this rule unless satisfied that the likelihood of the case succeeding stands outside the realm of probability altogether.

An action is deemed vexatious if it is impossible to succeed.

See the case of Wood NO v Edwards 1986 (2) RLR 212, and the case of Rogers v Rogers and Another 2008 (1) ZLR 330.

In the latter case, MALABA JA had this to say at 333;

“Summary dismissal of an action in terms of rule 79(2) of the Rules is an extraordinary remedy to be granted in exceptional cases. The reason is that granting the remedy has the effect of interfering with the elementary right of free access to the court. The object of the rule is to enable the court to stop an action which should not have been launched.”

The learned Judge went on to state as follows:

“It appears to me that a plaintiff who commences action in a court of law when he has no reasonable grounds to do so has no cause of action. An action without a good cause of action is obviously unsustainable.”

In casu I am satisfied that when the respondent commenced legal proceedings in the manner he did under case number HC568/13, he knew that he was misleading the court. At the very least he was aware that the property that he was seeking to obtain through legal process was property that fell outside the initial order of divorce. The respondent was clearly aware that if he sought to rescind the default judgment he could do so and invoke the provisions of the Matrimonial Causes Act for an equitable distribution of assets. He elected, however to proceed on facts that sought to mislead.

The conduct of the respondent, in my view amounts to abuse of court process. The applicant is entitled to costs in a higher scale.

In the circumstances, I make the following order:

1. The action filed under case number HC568/13 be and is hereby dismissed on the ground that it is frivolous and vexatious.

2. Judgment of absolution from the instance is hereby granted.

3. Respondent is ordered to pay costs on the legal practitioner and client scale.



Lazarus and Sarif, applicant's legal practitioners

Job Sibanda and Associates, respondent's legal practitioners

Back Main menu

Categories

Back to top

For with God All Things Are Possible (Matthew 19 v26)

© 2014. Law Portal Zimbabwe V1.5 . All rights reserved. Powered by RueDigital