MUSAKWA
J: In this application applicants are seeking relief to the effect that-
"1. The allocation and
transfer of house no. 20 Creil Road, Southdowns, Gweru to 2nd
Respondent under deed of transfer No. 2050/00 be and is hereby declared null
and void.
2. House No. 20 Creil
Road, Southdowns, Gweru be and is hereby transferred to the Estate Late Rginald
Tswakai Griffin Salila.
3. The Executor Dative
proceed to draft and lodge the First and Final Administration Account and
Distribution Plan in the Estate Late Reginald Tswakai Griffin Salila forthwith.
4. There be no order as
to costs."
In
her founding affidavit first applicant states that first respondent was
appointed executor dative of the estate of their late father, Reginald Tswakai
Griffin Salila. Stand number 20
Creil Road, Southdowns, Gweru was included in the
inventory of assets to the estate. Some time in 2000 first respondent allocated
the property to the second respondent and had it transferred to him.
First
applicant further contends that no "First and Final Administration Account and
Distribution Plan" was lodged with third respondent as is required in respect
of deceased estates. The executor was issued with letters of administration on
17 December 1999 but the estate has not been wound up since then.
The
second applicant deposed to a supporting affidavit in which she associated
herself with the averments of the first applicant. In her answering affidavit
she conceded that she took two beds, a set of sofas, two sets of curtains and
two carpets for safekeeping. However, the property is said to have worn out
"due to fair wear and tear over the past seven or so years".
It
turns out that the house in question was sold to fifth and sixth respondents.
After institution of the present proceedings fifth and sixth respondents sought
an order of joinder to which first and second respondents consented.
Fifth
respondent deposed to an opposing affidavit in which he stated that on 31st
March 2007 he and second respondent entered into an agreement of sale in
respect of stand 2723 Gwelo of Gwelo Township Lands also known as house number 20 Creil Road,
Southdowns, Gweru. After the purchase transfer was effected into their names.
He also contended that they were innocent purchasers. In addition he also
contended that the claim by applicants had prescribed.
Mr
Mutasa for the applicants submitted
that the issue is how the estate was administered. The prescribed procedures
were not followed as some beneficiaries benefited to the exclusion of others.
On the aspect of lack of adherence to prescribed procedures he cited section 52
of the Administration of Estates Act [Chapter
6; 01]. On this basis, he argued that the transfer of the property to
second respondent was null and void.
Mr
Mutasa further argued that since
deceased was married according to customary law, his estate should be
administered in terms of section 68A of the Act. He conceded that first
respondent was properly appointed as executor. He also noted that first
respondent was appointed heir but that was only for limited purposes in terms
of the Act. The estate could not be distributed without lodging an
administration and distribution account with the third respondent. In this
respect he referred to section 68D. In terms of this provision first respondent
should have consulted all beneficiaries before the estate was distributed.
As
regards beneficiaries, Mr Mutasa
referred to section 68 F (2) (h). In this respect it was his submission that
since deceased was survived by six children they are all beneficiaries in equal
shares.
Mr
Mutasa further submitted that
applicants acquired vested rights in the estate upon the death of their father.
These rights are then suspended pending compliance with certain procedures. He
contended that prescription cannot run until the account has been confirmed. He
also referred to the case of Greenberg v
Estate Greenberg 1955 (3) S.A. 361 (AD).
Finally,
Mr Mutasa submitted that the fifth
and sixth respondents did not acquire any rights since the estate was not
administered in accordance with the law. He referred to the case of McFay v United Africa Company Limited
[1961] All ER 1169(PC).
On
the other hand Mr Kufaruwenga
submitted that there is a dispute of fact. He further submitted that it is
common cause that property constituting a deceased estate cannot be transferred
without the Master's consent. However, according to him, the fact that transfer
took place signifies the Master's consent.
Mr
Kufaruwenga further submitted that
what is important is what the beneficiaries agreed on. He referred to section
68E of the Act. It was also his argument that the Master had no option but to
ratify what had been agreed upon, which means that he approved the inheritance
plan.
According
to Mr Kufaruwenga in an estate
governed by customary law there is no requirement to lodge a final distribution
account. What is only required is an inheritance plan. He further submitted
that section 68F is only invoked where an executor and beneficiary fail to
agree on a distribution plan.
Finally
Mr Kufaruwenga submitted that the
fifth and sixth respondents only came onto the scene after the house had been
transferred to the second respondent. Since they had no knowledge of the
dispute they were innocent purchasers. Any irregularity would not affect their
rights.
The
Master submitted a report in terms of rule 248 of the High Court Rules. In the
report it is stated that the estate was first registered at Gweru Magistrates
Court. The file relating to the estate was referred to the Master following a
complaint that had been lodged concerning the manner in which the estate was
being administered. Although no progress was noted in the finalization of the
estate, the two immovable properties constituting part of the estate were
transferred without following laid down procedures. The transfers were
irregular as no distribution account was lodged with the Master. A meeting was
convened and it was attended by applicants as well as first and second
respondents. Although procedures were explained and it was agreed that the
estate had to be regularized, the second applicant did not carry out what had
been agreed upon. Although this is not explained I assumed it related to the
transfer of the Gweru property. Consequently, no certificate of authority was
issued by the Master. The appointment of first respondent as heir is symbolical
as it cannot affect the interests of other beneficiaries to the estate.
Section 68 (4) of the Administration of
estates Act provides that:-
"(4) Subject to
this Part, an executor appointed in terms of subsection (2) shall be
responsible for-
(a)
discharging the claims of creditors against the estate of the deceased person
concerned; and
(b)
administering and safeguarding the estate of the deceased person concerned,
pending its distribution in
terms of this
Part."
It is clear that
an executor can only exercise his powers in terms of the Act or as prescribed
by the Master. This is in accordance with subsection (5) which states that:-
"(5) In the
exercise of his responsibilities in terms of subsection (4), an executor shall
have such of an executor's powers under this Act, and shall be subject to such
of an executor's duties, as may be prescribed or as the Master may confer or
impose on him."
I can only further note that in terms of section
52(2) of the Act an executor is obliged to lodge an administration and
distribution account within six months from the time letters of administration
are issued or within such time as the Master may allow. In terms of subsection
(4) an executor must render accounts from time to time as the Master may
direct. If no account is lodged within six months the Master or any person with
an interest in the estate may summon the executor to show cause before the High
Court why such an account has not been lodged. All these processes did not
occur apart from the one meeting convened by the Master as explained in his report.
For purposes of distribution of the estate governed
by customary law an executor is enjoined to draw an inheritance plan in terms
of section 68D. There is no evidence that such a plan was drawn in this case.
Once an inheritance plan has been drawn up it has to be lodged with the Master
for approval in terms of section 68E. Again it is clear that no such plan was
presented to the Master. There is no doubt that the distribution of the estate
requires the approval of the Master. This is by virtue of section 68F which
provides that:-
"(3) If the Master-
(a) is satisfied that a
plan submitted to him in terms of subsection (1) has been agreed to by all the beneficiaries
concerned or by such of them as the executor could with reasonable diligence
have consulted, the Master shall approve the plan and authorize the executor to
distribute or administer the estate in accordance with it;
(b) has reason to believe
that the executor has failed to consult a member of the deceased's family or a
beneficiary whom he could with
reasonable diligence have consulted, the Master shall refuse to approve the
plan until that family member or beneficiary has been consulted and, in the
case of a beneficiary, his agreement to the plan has been obtained;
(c) has reason to believe
that one or more of the beneficiaries concerned have not agreed to a plan
submitted to him in terms of subsection (1), the Master shall proceed to
determine, in accordance with section sixty-eight F, any issues in
dispute between the executor and the beneficiary or beneficiaries, and shall direct
the executor to distribute or administer the estate in accordance with his
determination."
It therefore means that the distribution of the
estate without the approval of the Master is a nullity. However there is the
issue of prescription that was raised by fifth and sixth respondents. The
transfer of the immovable property to second respondent by first respondent
occurred in 2000. The present application was only instituted in 2007.
The relevant provision is
section 16 of the Prescription Act [Chapter
8:11] which provides that:-
"(1) Subject to
subsections (2) and (3), prescription shall commence to run as soon as a debt
is due.
(2) If a debtor
wilfully prevents his creditor from becoming aware of the existence of a debt,
prescription
shall not
commence to run until the creditor becomes aware of the existence of the debt.
(3) A debt shall
not be deemed to be due until the creditor becomes aware of the identity of the
debtor and of
the facts from
which the debt arises:
Provided that a
creditor shall be deemed to have become aware of such identity and of such
facts if he could
have acquired knowledge
thereof by exercising reasonable care."
In
opposing this application the fifth respondent simply stated that he was advised
that even if the applicants' claim has merit, it cannot succeed as it has
prescribed. No other averments are made in support of this contention.
The
onus lies on fifth and sixth respondents to prove on a balance of probabilities
that applicants became aware of the facts on which their claim is based and
failed to institute the present proceedings within three years of such
knowledge. In light of the proviso to section 16 (3) of the Prescription Act
the fifth and sixth respondents can also prove by laying facts from which it
can be deemed that the applicants were aware of such facts on which their claim
was based if they could have acquired knowledge thereof by exercising
reasonable care.
This
was the approach adopted by MALABA J (as he then was) in the case of Peebles v Dairiboard Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd.
1999 (1) ZLR 41(H). In that case the plaintiff sought damages arising from a
collision between his vehicle and a trailer belonging to the defendant. The
defendant raised the special plea of prescription. The plaintiff sought to
argue that the facts from which the debt arose became known to him from the
time he obtained legal advice. In dealing with the issue of prescription and
when the debt became due the learned Judge had this to say at pp45-47:-
" In this case, "the
facts from which the debt arises" are the facts relating; to the damage
and loss (the nature and extent of the bodily injuries; the pain and suffering
that ensued; the loss of earning); how the damage was caused (the collision,
the disconnection of the trailer, the defect in the coupling system) and the
wrongful conduct accompanied by culpa (the omission to inspect the coupling
system; the duty to do so), to which the cause of the damage is attributable:
Evins v Shield Insurance Co Ltd 1980 (2) SA 814 (A) at 388H-839A.
The
question for determination here is, when did Mr Peebles first have knowledge or
is he to be deemed to have first had knowledge of the above mentioned facts
from which the debt arose? The onus is on Dairiboard, which raised the defence
of prescription, to show that Mr Peebles first had knowledge or should be
deemed to have first had knowledge of such facts on any date more than three
years prior to the date on which the summons was served on it, that is to say,
a date between 9 May and 30 September 1994: Gericke v Sack 1978 B
(1) SA 821 (A); Brand v Williams 1988 (3) SA 908 (C) at 910B.
The
rule applied is the discovery or knowledge rule. In the application of the rule
contained in s 16(3) of the Act to decide whether Dairiboard has shown, on a
balance of probabilities, that Mr Peebles acquired during the relevant period
the requisite knowledge of the facts from which the cause of the action arose
it is not necessary to seek knowledge of meticulous particulars of the cause of
action. The court must look at all the circumstances of the case and decide
whether Mr Peebles had or should be deemed to have had knowledge of the broad
or material facts establishing the essential elements of the cause of action.
Loubser
Extinctive Prescription (1996) in n 281 on p 104 makes reference to the case of
Jolly v Eli Lilly 2d Cal 751 (1929) to illustrate the application of the
discovery or knowledge rule. The plaintiff in the case suffered cancer as a
result of her mother's ingestion of a harmful drug during pregnancy. The
California Supreme Court applied the discovery or knowledge rule to bar the
claim where the plaintiff was aware of the injury and its cause and could have
suspected that she had been wronged although still unaware of facts
establishing wrongdoing on the part of the drugs manufacturer.
It
was held in that case that the discovery of the injury and its cause was enough
to have triggered the running of the limitation period, even though the
plaintiff was still unaware of all the facts establishing a failure to test the
drug or a failure to warn about its possible effects by the manufacturer.
In
n 300 on p 109, the learned author also makes reference to Ward v City of
Alliance (1988-89) 22 Creighton LR 449. This was a case of a municipal employee
who suffered various ailments and cancer as a result of direct skin exposure to
oil in an electric transformer which was later discovered to contain a toxic
chemical. A one-year limitation period was applicable to the employee's action
against his employer. The discovery or knowledge rule was applied. It was found
that the claimant knew or should have known of the causal relationship between
his exposure to the chemical and his ailments more than one year prior to
instituting action.
The
learned author then states:
"The
issue in this type of case is whether discovery should entail knowledge or
imputed
knowledge
of the injury and causation only or also knowledge or imputed knowledge of
wrongful or negligent conduct by the defendant ... In the Ward case, the court
required knowledge of the ailments and the causal relationship between the
ailments and exposure to the toxin or in appropriate circumstances [the
emphasis is mine] knowledge that the injury resulted from wrongful conduct of the
defendant. The latter may be a consideration for determining accrual in some
circumstances, but what is contemplated is only an imputed awareness of
wrongful cause and not actual determination of negligent conduct or fault.
Thus, the plaintiff need not be aware of the actionability of a claim or have
knowledge of wrong doing at the level of certainty for the claim to accrue.
...
In the Ward case, a test for discovery was accepted which is not constrained by
rigid discovery articulation and permits the court to determine objectively the
most equitable point of claim accrual based on the amount of information the
injured party knows or should know."
Apart
from raising the issue of prescription the fifth and sixth respondents have not
proved when applicants became aware of the transfer of the immovable property.
It cannot also be said that the circumstances are such that the applicants are
deemed
to have become aware of such facts as constituting the cause of action if they
could have acquired knowledge of the transfer by exercising reasonable care. It
means then that the application succeeds. However, part of the relief sought is
that the property be transferred to the Estate Late Reginald Tswakai Griffin
Salila. Taking into account that a deceased estate has no legal personality it
is impossible to grant such an order. In any event there is no such provision
in the Administration of Estates Act save that an executor is required to take
charge of an estate before it is distributed.
Accordingly,
the application is granted as follows-
"1.
The allocation and transfer of stand 2723 Gwelo Township of Gwelo Township
lands also known as house no. 20 Creil Road, Southdowns, Gweru to 2nd
Respondent under deed of transfer No. 2050/00 be and is hereby declared null
and void.
2.
The first respondent shall proceed to draft and lodge an inheritance plan in
respect of the estate of the late Reginald Tswakai Griffin Salila with the
third respondent within seven days of service of this order upon him.
3.
There shall be no order as to costs."
Karuwa &
Associates,
applicants' legal practitioners
Gundu
& Mawarire Legal Practitioners, fifth and sixth respondents' legal practitioners