Sekhonyana and Others v Attorney-General and Others (CIV/APN 181 of 96) [1996] LSHC 84 (30 August 1996)

IN THE HIGH C O U RT OF L E S O T HO In the m a t t er b e t w e e n :- E V A R I S T US R. S E K H O N Y A NA A B I EL M O U PO M A T H A BA DR. E B E N E Z ER M A L IE L E K H O O A NA J O N A T H AN T E B O HO V I N C E NT LEPHEMA N A T H A N A EL N K U A T S A NA R A N T H O M E NG M A T E TE PITSO A U G U S T I NE TSOTSI J E R E M IA M O R E NA LETSIE Tšolo LELALA FELIX T H A BO PUTSOA M A K H A B A NE HLASOA MOLAPO PHALE M O K O E NA E M M A N U EL L E P H E LE LIAU M O L E TE E M M A N U EL MOLEFI THENE J U S T IN M E T S I NG LEKHANYA FLORA S E L L O A NE SELESO K H O M O M O S O T HO MOLAPO M I C H A EL PHOSO MOKETA B O K A NG LELIMO M O K H O FU SIMON H L A L E LE PETER K H A M A NE KALI M A S I L O A NE K H E T LA T H A BO J. RAKHETLA V I T A L IS KEFUOE 'NGOAE R A M A B I L I K OE G. M A S H A PE and C I V / A P N / 1 8 1 / 96 1ST A P P L I C A NT 2ND A P P L I C A NT 3RD A P P L I C A NT 4TH A P P L I C A NT 5TH A P P L I C A NT 6TH A P P L I C A NT 7TH A P P L I C A NT 8TH A P P L I C A NT 9TH A P P L I C A NT 10TH A P P L I C A NT 11TH A P P L I C A NT 12TH A P P L I C A NT 13TH A P P L I C A NT 14TH A P P L I C A NT 15TH A P P L I C A NT 16TH A P P L I C A NT 17TH A P P L I C A NT 18TH A P P L I C A NT 19TH A P P L I C A NT 20TH A P P L I C A NT 2 1 ST A P P L I C A NT 2 2 ND A P P L I C A NT 2 3 RD A P P L I C A NT 24TH A P P L I C A NT 25TH A P P L I C A NT 26TH A P P L I C A NT 27TH A P P L I C A NT THE A T T O R N E Y - G E N E R AL R E G I S T R AR OF THE HIGH COURT D E P U TY S H E R IF 1ST R E S P O N D E NT 2ND R E S P O N D E NT 3RD R E S P O N D E NT J U D G M E NT D e l i v e r ed by The H o n o u r a b le M r. J u s t i ce M. M. R a m o d i b e di Acting Judge on the 30th day of A u g u s t, 1996 This is an application to review the t a x a t i on of a bill of c o s ts on attorney and c l i e nt scale arising from failed p e t i t i o ns filed by the a p p l i c a n t s, who w e re BNP c a n d i d a t e s, a g a i n st t h e ir BCP c o u n t e r p a r ts in the National General A s s e m b ly Election held on the 27th M a r c h, 1 9 9 3. It is apparent 2 / . .. - 2- f r om t he j u d g m e nt of C u l l i n an C . J. w ho p r e s i d ed o v er t he s a id p e t i t i o ns t o g e t h er w i th t wo o t h er j u d g es in t he C o u rt of D i s p u t ed R e t u r ns of L e s o t ho t h at t he A t t o r n ey G e n e r al w as "in f a ct t he s e c o nd r e s p o n d e nt in e a ch of t he t w e n t y - e i g ht p e t i- t i o n s ." It is f u r t h er a p p a r e nt f r om t he s a id j u d g m e nt of t he L e a r n ed C h i ef J u s t i ce w h i ch w as c o n c u r r ed in by t he o t h er t wo j u d g es t h at in d i s m i s s i ng t he p e t i t i o ns c o s ts w e re g r a n t ed " to a ll t w e n t y - n i ne r e s p o n d e n ts on t he a t t o r n ey a nd c l i e nt s c a l e, e a ch p e t i t i o n er to b e ar t he c o s ts of t he r e s p e c t i ve r e s p o n d e n t, all p e t i t i o n e rs to b e ar t he c o s ts of t he A t t o r n e y- G e n e r al j o i n t ly and s e v e r a l l y ." T h at w as on t he 1st d ay of S e p t e m b e r, 1 9 9 3. It is c o m m on c a u se t h at on t he 11th d ay of J u l y, 1 9 95 t he A t t o r n e y - G e n e r al s e r v ed a t t o r n e ys M. N t l h o ki & C o. w i th t w e n t y- e i g ht b i l ls of c o s ts as a g a i n st e a ch of t he t w e n t y - e i g ht p e t i- t i o n e rs in t he m a t t e r. T h e se b i l ls w e re d u ly t a x ed w i t h o ut a ny o b j e c t i on by t he p e t i t i o n e rs or t h e ir a t t o r n ey on t he 2 0 th d ay of J u l y, 1 9 9 5. It is f u r t h er c o m m on c a u se t h at on t he 2 9 th d ay of A u g u st 1 9 95 t he A t t o r n e y - G e n e r al t h en f i l ed t w e n t y - e i g ht w a r r a n ts of e x e c u t i on a g a i n st t he r e s p e c t i ve p r o p e r ty of e a ch of t he t w e n t y- e i g ht p e t i t i o n e rs f or t he a m o u n ts t a x ed by t he T a x i ng M a s t er as a f o r e s a i d. T h e r e a f t er t he r e c o rd of p r o c e e d i n gs s t y l ed " T M1 - T M 7" 3 / . .. - 3- w h i ch is t he o n ly r e c o rd of p r o c e e d i n gs m a de a v a i l a b le to me i n d i c a t es t h at o n ly t wo p e t i t i o n e rs n a m e ly L e k h o o a na J o n a t h an a nd P e e te N k u e be P e e te s u b s e q u e n t ly a p p l i ed f or s t ay of e x e c u- t i on in t he m a t t e r. S i n ce t he l a t t er d o es n ot f e a t u re in t he p r e s e nt a p p l i c a t i on b e f o re me it is c o n v e n i e nt to d e al w i th L e k h o o a na J o n a t h a n 's a p p l i c a t i on o n ly by w ay of c l a r i f i c a t i on in as m u ch as he is t he f o u r th A p p l i c a nt h e r e i n. H is a f f i d a v it in s u p p o rt of t he a f o r e s a id a p p l i c a t i on f or s t ay of e x e c u t i on w as s w o rn to on 3 1 st d ay of O c t o b er 1 9 95 a nd t he a p p l i c a t i on f i l ed on t he 7 th N o v e m b er 1 9 9 5. It s e e ms to me t h at t he w h o le b a s is of L e k h o o a na J o n a t h a n 's a p p l i c a t i on f or s t ay of e x e c u t i on w as n ot to e n a b le h im to r e v i ew t he T a x i ng M a s t e r 's d e c i s i on as s u ch b ut to c h a l l e n ge by r e v i ew t he d e c i s i on of t he C o u rt of D i s p u t ed R e t u r ns on c o s ts in as m u ch as he s t a t es in p a r a g r a p hs 1 0, 11 a nd 12 of h is f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v it t h e r e i n :- 1 0. "I w as s e r v ed w i th w r it of e x e c u t i on s o m e t i me in S e p t e m b er of t h is y e ar in t e r ms of w h i ch 4 th r e s p o n d e nt is i n s t r u c t ed to r a i se t he a m o u nt of M 1 7 , 6 4 7 . 20 as c o s ts o ut of my p r o p e r ty as c o s ts in C I V / A P N / 1 8 5 / 9 3 ." (I o b s e r ve t h at t he W a r r a nt of e x e c u t i on A n n e x u re " T M 6" a c t u a l ly r e f l e c ts t he s um of M6 3 1 4 - 49 w h i ch is t he s um a c t u a l ly a l l o w ed by t he T a x i ng M a s t e r .) 1 1. "I w as e x t r e m e ly s h o c k ed to f i nd t h at I w as to p ay s u ch h e a vy c o s t s. I i m m e d i a t e ly w e nt to my a t t o r n e ys w ho p r o m i s ed to m a ke i n v e s t i g a t i o ns 4 / . .. - 4- i n to t he w h o le m a t t er a nd t h e ir f i n d i n gs w e re t h at an a t t o r n ey I h ad e n g a g ed to c o n d u ct t he p r o c e e d i n gs in C I V / A P N / 1 8 5 / 93 h ad n ot a t t e n d ed t he t a x a t i on of t he b i ll of c o s ts on t he d ay he h ad b e en n o t i f i ed to do s o ." 1 2. " A f t er d i s c u s s i ng t h is m a t t er w i th s o me of my c o l l e a g u es I i n s t r u c t ed my a t t o r n e ys to f i le a n o t i ce of r e v i ew of t he 3 rd r e s p o n d e n t 's d e c i s i on in a w a r d i ng c o s ts a g a i n st me w h en my m a t t er in C I V / A P N / 1 8 5 / 93 h ad n e v er b e en d e c i d ed by t he C o u rt of D i s p u t ed R e t u r ns of L e s o t ho w h en l e a ve to w i t h d r aw it h ad b e en r e f u s ed by t he s a me c o u r t. It w as t h e r e a f t er a g r e ed t h at it w o u ld be a p p r o p r i a te to a n g a ge a S e n i or C o u n s el f r om S o u th A f r i ca to h a n d le t h is c a se on r e v i e w ." I o b s e r ve t h at it w as o n ly on t he 2 3 rd d ay of M ay 1 9 96 t h at t he A p p l i c a n ts h e r e in i n c l u d i ng t he s a id L e k h o o a na J o n a t h an f i l ed an " u r g e n t" a p p l i c a t i on f or an o r d er in t he f o l l o w i ng t e r m s :- " 1. D i s p e n s i ng w i th t he f o r ms a nd p e r i o ds of s e r v i ce of t h is a p p l i c a t i on on t he g r o u n ds of i ts u r g e n c y. 2. T h at t he R u le N i si be i s s u ed c a l l i ng u p on t he R e s p o n d e nt to s h ow c a u s e, if a n y, w hy t he f o l l o w i ng o r d e rs s h o u ld n ot be c o n- f i r m ed a nd m a de a b s o l u te a nd f i n a l. ( a) T he W a r r a n ts of E x e c u t i o ns i s s u ed a g a i n st A p p l i c a n ts in v a r i o us e l e c t i on p e t i t i o ns s h o u ld n ot be s t a y ed p e n d i ng t he f i n al d e t e r m i n a t i on a nd a d j u d i c a t i on of t h is a p p l i c a t i o n. 5 / . .. - 5- (b) T he v a r i o us B i l ls of C o s ts t a x ed a nd a l l o w ed by t he R e g i s t r ar of t h is H o n o u r a b le C o u rt s h o u ld n ot be r e v i e w e d, c o r r e c t ed and s et a s i d e. ( c) T he 1st R e s p o n d e nt s h o u ld n ot be o r d e r ed to p ay t he c o s ts of t h is a p p l i c a t i on on a t t o r n ey and c l i e nt s c a l e. 3. P r a y e rs 1 and 2 ( a) s h o u ld o p e r a te w i th an i m m e d i a te e f f e ct a nd as i n t e r im o r d er of t h is H o n o u r a b le C o u r t. 4. G r a n t i ng s u ch f u r t h er and or a l t e r n a t i ve r e l i ef as t he a b o ve H o n o u r a b le C o u rt m ay d e em f i t ." I t u rn now to d e al w i th t he law and p r o c e d u re r e l a t i ng to c o s ts in t he m a t t er as I c o n c e i ve it to b e. S e c t i on 17 of t he C o u rt of D i s p u t ed R e t u r ns ( N a t i o n al A s s e m b ly E l e c t i on P e t i t i o n) R u l es L e g al N o t i ce N o . 54 of 1 9 93 p r o v i d es in p a r t :- " ( 1) C o s ts of and i n c i d e n t al to t he p r e s e n t a t i on of a p e t i t i on and to t he p r o c e e d i n gs c o n s e- q u e nt t h e r e on s h a ll be p a id by t he p a r t i es in s u ch m a n n er a nd in s u ch p r o p o r t i o ns as t he C o u rt m ay d e t e r m i n e. ( 2) T he C o u rt in m a k i ng an o r d er as to c o s ts m ay - ( a) o r d er any u n s u c c e s s f ul p a r ty to p ay t he c o s ts of a ny o t h er p a r ty or p a r t i e s; or ( b) o r d er any u n s u c c e s s f ul p a r t i es to pay j o i n t ly or s e v e r a l l y, t he c o s ts of a ny o t h er p a r ty or p a r t i e s, 6/... - 6- t he o ne p a y i ng t he o t h er or o t h e rs to be a b s o l v e d, a nd t h at if o ne of t he u n s u c c e s s f ul p a r t i es p a ys m o re t h an h is p ro r a ta s h a re of t he c o s t s, he s h a ll be e n t i t l ed to r e c o v er f r om t he o t h er u n s u c c e s s f ul p a r ty or p a r t i es h is or t h e ir pro rata s h a re of s u ch e x c e s s. ( 4) C o s ts s h a ll be t a x ed by t he R e g i s t r ar in t he s a me m a n n er as c o s ts a re t a x ed in a c i v il s u it in t he H i gh C o u r t, b ut s u b j e ct to a ny g e n e r al or s p e c i f ic d i r e c t i o ns g i v en by t he C o u r t. C o s ts w h en t a x ed m ay be r e c o v e r ed in t he s a me m a n n er as t he c o s ts of a c i v il s u it in t he H i gh C o u r t ." S e c t i on 19 s p e c i f i c a l ly p r o v i d es t h at " t he R u l es of t he H i gh C o u rt s h a l l, so f ar as t h ey m ay be a p p l i c a b l e, a p p ly to a ny m a t t er f or w h i ch p r o v i s i on is n ot m a de in t h e se R u l e s ." N ow R u le 49 ( 1) of t he H i gh C o u rt R u l es 1 9 80 w h i ch s p e c i f i c a l ly d e a ls w i th " R e v i ew of t a x a t i o n' p r o v i d es as f o l l o w s :- " A ny p a r ty w ho is n ot s a t i s f i ed w i th t he r u l i ng of t he t a x i ng m a s t er as to a ny i t em or p a rt of an i t em w h i ch w as o b j e c t ed to or d i s a l l o w ed m e ro m o tu by t he t a x i ng m a s t er m ay w i t h in f o u r t e en d a ys of t he a l l o c a t ur r e q u i re t he t a x i ng m a s t er to s t a te a c a se f or t he d e c i s i on of a J u d g e, w h i ch c a se s h a ll s et o ut e a ch i t em or p a rt of an i t em t o g e t h er w i th t he g r o u n ds of o b j e c t i on a d v a n c ed at t he t a x a t i on a nd s h a ll i n c l u de a ny r e l e v a nt f i n d i n gs of f a ct by t he t a x i ng m a s t e r, 7 / . .. - 7- P r o v i d ed t h a t, s a ve w i th t he c o n s e nt of t he t a x i ng m a s t e r, no c a se s h a ll be s t a t ed w h e re t he a m o u n t, or t he t o t al of t he a m o u n t s, w h i ch t he t a x i ng m a s t er h as d i s a l l o w e d, or a l l o w e d, as t he c a se m ay b e, a nd w h i ch t he p a r ty d i s s a t i s f i ed s e e ks to h a ve a l l o w ed or d i s a l l o w ed r e s p e c t i v e l y, is l e ss t h an t en r a n d ." It s e e ms to me t h at t he w o r ds " an i t em w h i ch w as o b j e c t ed t o" a re n ot j u st e m p ty w o r ds b ut w e re c l e a r ly i n t e n d ed to l ay d o wn a p r e r e q u i s i te f or r e v i ew of t a x a t i on n a m e ly t h at t h e re m u st f i r st be an o b j e c t i on r a i s ed b e f o re t he T a x i ng M a s t er in r e s p e ct of t he a f f e c t ed i t e m. T he r e a s on f or t h is is n ot h a rd to f i nd as it is t r i te l aw t h at t a x a t i on of c o s ts is p r e- e m i n e n t ly a m a t t er f or t he d i s c r e t i on of t he T a x i ng M a s t e r. In f a ct R u le 56 ( 3) of t he H i gh C o u rt R u l es m a k es t h is a b u n d a n t ly c l e ar in u n e q u i v o c al t e r ms as f o l l o w s :- " T he t a x i ng m a s t er s h a ll a l l ow s u ch c o s t s, c h a r g e s, e x p e n s e s, a nd d i s b u r s e m e n ts a s, in h is o p i n i on a p p e ar to h im to h a ve p r o p er ( s i c) or n e c e s s a ry f or t he a t t a i n m e nt of j u s t i ce or f or d e f e n d i ng t he r i g h ts of a ny p a r ty b u t, s a ve as a g a i n st t he p a r ty w ho h as i n c u r r ed t he s a m e, no c o s ts s h a ll be a l l o w ed w h i c h, in t he o p i n i on of t he t a x i ng m a s t e r, w e re i n c u r r ed t h r o u gh o v e r - c a u t i o n, n e g l i g e n ce or by m i s t a ke or by u n u s u al d i s b u r s e m e n t s ." R o s e n ow J. in i n t e r p r e t i ng a s u b s t a n t i a l ly s i m i l ar S o u th A f r i c an S e c t i on as t he a b o ve m e n t i o n ed R u le 56 ( 3) of t he H i gh C o u rt R u l es h ad t h is to s ay in P h i ri v N o r t h e rn A s s u r a n ce Co:, 1 9 62 ( 4) S . A. 2 84 at 2 85 :- 8 / . .. - 8- " T he d i s c r e t i on to d e c i de w h at c o s ts h a ve b e en n e c e s s a r i ly or p r o p e r ly i n c u r r ed is g i v en to t he t a x i ng m a s t er a nd n ot to t he c o u r t. T he c o u rt c an t h e r e f o re o n ly i n t e r f e re w h e re t he t a x i ng m a s t er h as e x e r c i s ed h is d i s c r e t i on i m p r o p e r l y, on t he b a s is w e ll e s t a b l i s h ed in r e l a t i on to m a t t e rs c o m i ng b e f o re a c o u rt on r e v i e w ." W i th r e s p e ct I e n t i r e ly a g r ee a nd it is u p on t h is b a s is t h at I a p p r o a ch t he m a t t er p l a c ed b e f o re m e. As e a r l i er i n d i c a t ed t he a p p l i c a n ts d id n ot o b j e ct to a ny of t he i t e ms of t he b i l ls of c o s ts p r e s e n t ed to t he t a x i ng m a s t e r. I am p r e p a r ed t h e r e f o re to h o ld t h at t h e ir r e v i ew a p p l i- c a t i on is i r r e g u l ar a nd c o n t r a ry to R u le 49 ( 1) of t he H i gh C o u rt R u l es as a f o r e s a i d. N or d o es t he m a t t er e nd t h e r e. In t e r ms of R u le 49 ( 1) of t he H i gh C o u rt R u l es t he a p p l i c a n ts w e re f u r t h er o b l i g ed to " r e q u i re t he t a x i ng m a s t er to s t a te a c a se f or t he d e c i s i on of a j u d g e" w i t h in f o u r t e en d a ys of t he a l l o c a t ur if t h ey w e re n ot s a t i s f i ed w i th t he r u l i ng of t he t a x i ng m a s t e r. T he s a id R u le f u r t h er p r o v i d es in m a n d a t o ry t e r ms t h at t he s t a t ed c a se s h a ll s et o ut e a ch i t em or p a rt of an i t em t o g e t h er w i th t he g r o u n ds of o b j e c t i on a d v a n c ed at t he t a x a t i on a nd s h a ll i n c l u de a ny r e r e v a nt f i n d i n gs of f a ct by t he t a x i ng m a s t e r. It is c o m m on 9 / . .. - 9- c a u se t h at n o ne of t h e se p r e r e q u i s i t es w e re o b s e r v ed by t he a p p l i c a n ts in t h is m a t t er a nd t he R u le in q u e s t i on h as b e en b l a t a n t ly i g n o r e d. N or is t h e re any s l i g h t e st e x p l a n a t i on f u r n i s h ed f or t he n on o b s e r v a n ce of t he R u le in q u e s t i o n. W o r se s t i ll t h e re is no a p p l i c a t i on f or c o n d o n a t i on of t he l a te f i l i ng of r e v i ew b e y o nd t he f o u r t e en d a ys of t he a l l o c a t ur in t e r ms of t he a f o r e s a id R u l e. It is c o r r e ct t h at in a p r o p er c a se t he c o u rt is q u i te e n t i t l ed to c o n d o ne n on o b s e r v a n ce of t he R u l es of C o u rt i n c l u d i ng t i me l i m i t a t i o n s. T he H i gh C o u rt d o es h a ve i n h e r e nt j u r i s d i c t i o ns in t h at r e g a r d. In my j u d g m e n t, h o w e v e r, c o n d o- n a t i on is n ot j u st t h e re f or t he t a k i n g. I c o n s i d er t h at in t he s p e c i al c i r c u m s t a n c es of t he c a se b e f o re me t he a p p l i c a n ts o u g ht to h a ve m a de a s u b s t a n t i ve a p p l i c a t i on f or c o n d o n a t i on to d e al w i th and e x p l a i n, i n t er a l i a, n on c o m p l i a n ce w i th t he R u l es of C o u r t, t he d e g r ee of s u ch non c o m p l i a n c e, p r o s p e c ts of s u c c e s s, c o n v e n i e n ce of t he c o u r t, t he m a g n i t u de of t he c a s e, t he q u e s t i on of t he a v o i d a n ce of u n n e c e s s a ry d e l ay in t he a d m i n i s t r a t i on of j u s t i ce and t h at t h e re s h o u ld be f i n a l i ty to l i t i g a t i on ( t he l i st is n ot e x h a u s t i v e ). S ee L e r i be P o u l ty C o o p e r a t i ve S o c i e ty v M i n i s t er of A g r i c u l t u re a nd 2 o t h e rs C of A ( C I V) N o. 13 of 1991 in w h i ch A c k e r m an J. A. r e f e r r e d, w i th a p p r o v a l, to t he c a se of F e d e r a t ed E m p l o y e r s' I n s u r a n ce C o. v M c k e n z ie 1 9 69 ( 3) S . A. 3 60 ( A) at 3 62 G. I r e s p e c t f u l ly a d o pt t he p r i n c i p le e n u n c i a t ed in t h o se c a s e s. In M i c h a el M t h e m bu v L e s o t ho B u i l d i ng F i n a n ce C o r p o r a t i on C of A ( C i v) N o. 4 of 1 9 84 S c h u tz P. q u o t ed w i th a p p r o v al M u l l er J A 's r e m a r ks in P . E. B o s m an T r a n s p o rt W o r ks C o m m i t t ee a nd o t h e rs v P i et B o s m an T r a n s p o rt ( P t y) L t d. 1 9 80 ( 4) S. A. 7 94 ( A) at 7 97 F to t he f o l l o w i ng e f f e c t :- 1 0 / . .. - 1 0- " In a c a se s u ch as t he p r e s e nt t h e re h as b e en a f l a g r a nt b r e a ch of t he R u l es of C o u rt in m o re t h an o ne r e s p e c t, a nd w h e re in a d d i t i on t h e re is no a c c e p t a b le e x p l a n a t i on f or s o me p e r i o ds of d e l ay a n d, i n d e e d, in r e s p e ct of o t h er p e r i o ds of d e l a y, no e x p l a n a t i on at a l l, t he a p p l i c a t i on s h o u l d, in my o p i n i o n, n ot be g r a n t ed w h a t e v er t he p r o s p e c ts m ay b e ." W i th r e s p e ct I f i nd t h at t h e se w o r ds a re a p p o s i te to t he c a se b e f o re me a nd I r e s p e c t f u l ly a d o pt t h em h e r e i n. T h e re h as b e en a c o m p l e te f a i l u re to c o m p ly w i th a ny of t he p r o v i s i o ns of R u le 49 ( 1) of t he H i gh C o u rt R u l es as a f o r e s a i d. N or h as t h e re b e en a ny a t t e m pt w h a t s o e v er to i d e n t i fy a ny of t he p e r c e i v ed o b j e c t i o n a b le i t e ms in t he b i l ls of c o s ts t a x ed by t he T a x i ng M a s t e r. T he C o u rt is e x p e c t ed to h a z a rd a g u e ss in t h at r e g a r d. T h is is t o t a l ly u n a c c e p t a b l e, to s ay t he l e a s t. In t he c i r c u m s t a n c es I w o u ld d i s m i ss t h is a p p l i c a t i on f or n on c o m p l i a n ce w i th R u le 49 ( 1) of t he H i gh C o u rt R u l es as a f o r e s a id a nd on t he g r o u nd t h at t h e re is no a p p l i c a t i on f or c o n d o n a t i on b e f o re m e. T he a p p l i c a n ts t h en c o m p l a in t h at t h ey w e re n ot a w a re t h at t he v a r i o us b i l ls of c o s ts c o n c e r n ed w e re t a x ed a g a i n st t h em s i n ce t h ey w e re s e r v ed on t h e ir " p r e v i o us a t t o r n e y" w h om t h ey h ad a l l e g e d ly " d i s m i s s ed d u r i ng t he p r o c e e d i n g s" ( s ee p a r a- g r a ph 7 of t he f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v it of E v e r i s t us R. S e k h o n y a n a ). M r. M p h a l a ne w ho a p p e a r ed f or t he a p p l i c a n ts i n i t i a l ly persisted w i th t h is l i ne of a r g u m e nt u n t il he w as s o on d r i v en to c o n c e d e, 1 1 / . .. - 1 1- q u i te p r o p e r ly in my v i ew in t he c i r c u m s t a n c es of t he c a s e, t h at t he s a id b i l ls of c o s ts w e re p r o p e r ly s e r v ed on M r. N t l h o ki w ho up to t h at s t a ge w as s t i ll t he a t t o r n ey of r e c o rd f or t he a p p l i c a n t s. I am p r e p a r ed to a c c e pt t he v e r s i on of t he r e s p o n d e n ts in t h is r e g a rd as d e p o s ed to in p a r a g r a ph 15 of t he o p p o s i ng a f f i d a v it of T s o k o lo M a k h e t he in as m u ch as it is s u p p o r t ed by t he a f o r e s a id j u d g m e nt of C i l l i n an C . J. It is q u i te c l e ar f r om t he s a id j u d g m e n t, as I r e ad i t, t h at a l t h o u gh M r. N t l h o ki t r i ed h is l e v el b e st to w i t h d r aw as a t t o r n ey f or t he p e t i t i o n e rs in t he m a t t er at no s t a ge d id t he c o u rt e v er g r a nt h im l e a ve to do s o. W h at is m o r e, he n e v er s e r v ed a ny n o t i ce of w i t h d r a w al u p on t he r e s p o n d e n ts n or d id he e v er f i le o ne w i th t he c o u r t. I o b s e r ve t h at e v en in t he s a id j u d g m e nt of C u l l i n an C . J. he is i n d i c a t ed as a p p e a r i ng f or t he p e t i t i o n e r s. In t he c i r c u m s t a n c es t h e r e- f o re I c o n c l u de t h at t he b i l ls of c o s ts in t h is m a t t er w e re p r o p e r ly s e r v ed u p on a p p l i c a n t s' a t t o r n ey w ho h ad no o b j e c t i on t h e r e to a nd t h at t h ey c a n n ot be h e a rd to c o m p l a i n. F i n a l ly t he A p p l i c a n ts f u r t h er c o m p l a in t h at o n ly o ne B i ll of c o s ts s h o u ld h a ve b e en t a x ed a g a i n st t h em in as m u ch as t h ey w e re o r d e r ed to p ay c o s ts to t he A t t o r n e y - G e n e r al j o i n t ly a nd s e v e r a l ly a nd t h at t he p e t i t i o ns w e re c o n s o l i d a t ed a nd h e a rd t o g e t h e r. I c o n s i d er t h at t h e re is no m e r it at a ll in t h is c o m p l a i n t. In t e r ms of t he o r d er of c o u rt t he A t t o r n e y- G e n e r al w as e n t i t l ed to r e c o v er c o s ts a g a i n st t he a p p l i c a n ts e i t h er j o i n t ly or s e v e r a l l y. He c o u ld do so by p r e p a r i ng o ne b i ll of c o s ts or i n d i v i d u al b i l ls as l o ng as he c l a i m ed w h at w as d ue to h i m. T he r e al q u e s t i on to be d e t e r m i n ed i s, as I see. i t, w h e t h er o ne s e r v i ce w as p e r f o r m ed 1 2 / . .. - 1 2- or m o re t h an o ne s e r v i c e. S ee In re L u b be 1 9 64 ( 1) S . A. 8 55 T. T he d i f f i c u l ty t h at t he a p p l i c a n ts f a ce in t h is a p p l i c a t i on is t h at t h ey do n ot s h ow t h at t he A t t o r n e y - G e n e r al w as p e r f o r m i ng o n ly o ne s e r v i c e. F or my p a rt I c a n n ot b ut i m a g i ne t h at he w o u ld h a ve c e r t a i n ly p e r f o r m ed m o re t h an o ne s e r v i ce r e g a rd b e i ng h ad to t he f a ct t h at he f e a t u r ed as a r e s p o n d e nt in e a ch of t he t w e n t y - e i g ht d i f f e r e nt p e t i t i o ns f r om t w e n t y- e i g ht d i f f e r e nt C o n s t i t u e n c i e s. In a ny e v e nt if it is t he a p p l i c a n t s' c a se t h at t h e re w as u n n e c e s s a ry d u p l i c a t i on of c o s ts I o b s e r ve t h at in law t h at is p r i m a r i ly t he f u n c t i on of t he t a x i ng m a s t er and n ot t he c o u r t. s ee S i l b er v S i l b er 1 9 64 ( 3) S . A. 4 73 ( T) at 4 7 6. It h as n ot b e en s h o wn t h at t he t a x i ng m a s t er e x e r c i s ed h is d i s c r e t i on i m p r o p e r l y. In t he c i r c u m s t a n c es t he c o u rt d e c l i n es to i n t e r f e re w i th h is d i s c r e t i o n. In c o n c l u s i on I t h i nk t h e re is m e r it in M r. M a k h e t h e 's s u b m i s s i on t h at t h is a p p l i c a t i on is an a b u se of c o u rt p r o c e ss a i m ed at d e l ay and f r u s t r a t i ng t he A t t o r n e y - G e n e r al f r om e n j o y i ng t he f r u i ts of t he j u d g m e nt of t he C o u rt of D i s p u t ed R e t u r ns of L e s o t h o. I r e s p e c t f u l ly d i s c e rn t he n e ed to r e p r o d u ce t he r e m a r ks of C u l l i n an CJ in h is j u d g m e nt in t he C o u rt of D i s p u t ed R e t u r ns as t h ey t e ll t he w h o le s t o r y :- "I am d r a wn to t he i n e v i t a b le c o n c l u s i on t h e r e f o re t h at t h e se p e t i t i o ns w e re f i l ed s o l e ly as a m a t t er 1 3 / . .. - 1 3- of p o l i t i c al e x p e d i e n cy a nd t h at t h e r e a f t er f u ll p o l i t i c al c a p i t al w as m a de of M r. M p i t i 's u n s u s p e c t i ng a nd b o na f i de e f f o r ts to a s s i st t he C o u rt by e x t r a c t i ng t he r e l e v a nt d o c u m e n t s, c u l m i n a t i ng in t he H i gh C o u r t 's r e f u s a l, on a j u r i s d i c t i o n al b a s i s, to i n t e r v e n e, t h us p r e s e n t i ng t he p e t i t i o n e rs w i th a t i m e ly j u s t i f i c a t i on f or w i t h d r a w a l, in t he i l l - a d v i s ed b e l i ef t h at w i t h d r a w al w as a m a t t er f or t he p e t i t i o n e r s' d i s c r e t i o n. T h e r e a f t e r, r a t h er t h an p u r s ue t h e ir a l l e g ed g r i e v a n c es b e f o re t he C o u r t, t he p e t i t i o n e rs o p p o s ed e v e ry e f f o rt of t he C o u rt to i n v e s t i- g a te s u ch g r i e v a n c e s. On 2 nd J u n e, w h en t he C o u rt r e l u c t a n t ly g r a n t ed an a d j o u r n m e nt f or f i ve d a y s, t he C o u r t, e v en at t h at s t a g e, o b s e r v ed t h at it w as " b e i ng t r e a t ed in a c a v a l i er m a n n e r ." am n ow c o n v i n c ed t h at m a t t e rs c an be t a k en f u r t h er a nd t h at t he p r o c e ss of t h is C o u r t, t he f i r st S e s s i on of a F u ll B e n ch of t he C o u rt of D i s p u t ed R e t u r n s, h as b e en b l a t a n t ly a b u s ed f or p o l i t i c al p u r p o s e s, d i s p l a y i ng on t he p a rt of t he p e t i t i o n e rs a c y n i c al d i s r e g a rd f or t he a d m i n i s t r a t i on of j u s t i c e ." I T h is C o u rt is s a t i s f i ed on a b a l a n ce of p r o b a b i l i t i es t h at t he a p p l i c a n t s' d e l a y i ng t a c t i cs a re s t i ll c o n t i n u i ng to d a te as m a n i f e s t ed in t h is a p p l i c a t i o n. In a ll t he c i r c u m s t a n c es of t he c a se as o u t l i n ed a b o ve I w o u ld d i s m i ss t he a p p l i c a t i on a nd d i s c h a r ge t he r u le w i th c o s ts a nd it is so o r d e r e d. M . M. R A M O D I B E DI A C T I NG J U D GE F OR A P P L I C A N TS : F OR R E S P O N D E N T S: M r. M p h a l a ne M r. M a k h e t he