Sefikeng High School v Masupha (CIV/APN 77 of 96) [1996] LSHC 91 (13 September 1996)

C I V / A P N / 7 7 / 96 IN T HE H I GH C O U RT OF L E S O T HO In t he m a t t er b e t w e en S E F I K E NG H I GH S C H O OL A p p l i c a nt and M A A MA M A S U P HA 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 t he 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 d i, A c t i ng J u d g e, on 13th S e p t e m b e r, 1 9 9 6. T h is is an a p p l i c a t i on b r o u g ht on a c e r t i f i c a te of u r g e n cy in w h i ch t he A p p l i c a nt p r a ys f or an o r d er in t he f o l l o w i ng t e r m s :- 1. T h at a R u le Nisi 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, on a d a te to be d e t e r m i n ed by t h is H o n o u r a b le C o u rt w h y: ( a) T he R e s p o n d e nt s h a ll n ot be i n t e r d i c t ed a nd r e s t r a i n ed f r om g o i ng o n to t he p r e m i s es of t he S e f i k e ng H i gh S c h o ol f or any u n l a w f ul p u r p o se or w i t h o ut t he p e r m i s s i on of t he a u t h o r i t i es a n d, m o re s p e c i f i c a l ly he s h a ll n ot be i n t e r d i c t ed f r om h a r v e s t i n g, t e n d i ng or o t h e r w i se h a v i ng a n y t h i ng to do w i th a c e r t a in m a i ze c r op w h i ch t he R e s p o n d e nt has 2 / . .. - 2 - c u l t i v a t ed on t he p r e m i s es of t he s a id s c h o ol a nd o t h e r w i se i n t e r f e r i ng w i th t he r u n n i ng of t he s c h o ol in a ny m a n n er w h a t s o e v er s a ve by d ue p r o c e ss of l a w. ( b) T he R e s p o n d e nt s h a ll 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 an a t t o r n ey a nd c l i e nt s c a l e. 2. T h at P r a y er 1 ( a) a b o ve o p e r a te as an i n t e r im i n t e r d i ct h a v i ng i m m e d i a te e f f e c t. 3. G r a n t i ng t he A p p l i c a nt f u r t h er or a l t e r n a t i ve r e l i e f. T he R u le N i si w as d u ly g r a n t ed by G u ni J on 1 8 th M a r c h, 1 9 96 a nd a f t er s e v e r al p o s t p o n e m e n ts t he m a t t er w as f i n a l ly a r g u ed b e f o re me on t he 3 rd S e p t e m b er 1 9 9 6. I t u rn t h en to d e al w i th t he f a c ts of t he c a s e. T he f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v it is d e p o s ed to by o ne R a n k a b a ti S a m s on K o b e li w ho is t he c h a i r m an of t he B o a rd of G o v e r n o rs of t he A p p l i c a nt S c h o o l. It is n ot d i s p u t ed t h at he is d u ly a u t h o r i s ed to m a ke t h is a f f i d a v it as m o re f u l ly a p p e a rs f r om t he r e s o l u t i on of t he A p p l i c a n t 's s a id B o a rd a n n e x u re " A ". P a r a g r a p hs 3 - 5 of t he f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v it a re to t he f o l l o w i ng e f f e c t :- " 3. On or a b o ut t he 2 3 rd D e c e m b e r, 1 9 94 a nd by m e a ns of a S u p p l e m e nt to a c e r t a in G o v e r n m e nt G a z e t te n u m b er 1 03 of 1 9 94 t he M i n i s t er r e s p o n s i b le d e c l a r e d, a f t er c o n s u l t a t i on w i th t he P r i n c i p al C h i ef of t he a r ea a nd t he D i s t r i ct S e c r e t a r y, b o th of w h om c o n s u l t ed 3 / . .. - 3 - w i th t he l o c al c h i e f, a c e r t a in u n n u m b e r ed p i e ce of l a nd at S e f i k e ng a s e l e c t ed d e v e l o p m e nt a r ea in t e r ms of t he L a nd A ct 1 9 7 9. A c o py of t he s a id G a z e t te S u p p l e m e nt i s, f or e a se of r e f e r e n c e, a n n e x ed h e r e u n to m a r k ed " B ". T he s a id p i e ce of l a nd w as r e q u i r ed by t he l o c al c o m m u n i ty to e n a b le t he L e s o t ho E v a n g e l i c a l. C h u r ch to b u i ld a H i gh S c h o ol a d j a c e nt to its e x i s t i ng p r i m a ry s c h o ol p r e m i s e s. 4. T he s a id land w a s, in d ue c o u r s e, m a de a v a i l a b le to t he s a id c h u r ch a n d, p e n d i ng t he i s s u a n ce of a l e a se in t e r ms of t he L a nd A ct w as d u ly s u r v e y e d, a m ap t h e r e of m a de and a n u m b er a l l o c a t ed to it b e i ng 2 0 2 7 2 - 0 0 1. At t he s a me t i me a C e r t i f i c a te of U s er of t he land w as i s s u ed to t he c h u r ch to e n a b le it to i m m e d i a t e ly s t a rt w i th t he c o n s t r u c t i on of t he s c h o ol p r e m i s e s. I a n n ex h e r e u n to m a r k ed " C" a c o py of t he s a id C e r t i f i c a te of U s e r. 5. A f t er t he c h u r ch h ad c o m p l e t ed t he s c h o ol b u i l d i ng a nd c l a s s es h ad b e g un t he R e s p o n d e n t, w ho is t he s on of t he c h i e f t a i n e ss in o f f i c e, w e nt o n to t he p r e m i s es d u r i ng a b o ut O c t o b e r, 1 9 95 a nd s o w ed m a i ze on a p o r t i on of t he s i te r e s e r v ed f or t he s c h o ol a g r i c u l t u r al a c t i v i t i es a nd a l r e a dy p l o u g h ed by t he s c h o o l. A ll a p p e a ls by t he B o a rd to t he M i n i s t ry of E d u c a t i o n, t he P o l i ce a nd t he D i s t r i ct S e c r e t a ry h a ve b e en to no a v a il f or t he o s t e n s i b le r e a s on t h at t he R e s p o n d e nt had i n s t i t u t ed p r o c e e d- i n gs in t he S u b o r d i n a te C o u r t, T e y a t e y a n e n g, c l a i m i ng t he l a nd as h i s. T h is u n l a w f ul a ct by t he R e s p o n d e nt w h i ch h as b e en f o r c i b ly e x e c u t ed by h im h as p r e v e n t ed t he s c h o ol f r om p l a n t i ng t he c r o ps it i n t e n d ed f or u se by its p u p i l s ." 4 / . .. - 4 - As to t he q u e s t i on of u r g e n cy t he d e p o n e nt R a n k a b a ti S a m s on K o b e li s t a t es in p a r a g r a ph 6 of h is f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v i t :- "I r e s p e c t f u l ly s u b m it t h at t he l e a st t h at t he s c h o ol c an g et in d a m a g es is t he h a r v e s t i ng of t he s a id m a i ze c r op f o r c i b ly s o wn by t he R e s p o n d e nt r e g a rd b e i ng h ad to t he f a ct t h at t he i n t e n t i on of t he s c h o ol w as to c u l t i v a te b e a ns a nd o t h er v e g e t a b l e s. T he n u i s a n ce a nd t r e s s p a ss t h at t he R e s p o n d e nt w i ll c a u se in p u r p o r t i ng to t e nd a nd u l t i m a t e ly h a r v e st h is c r op w i ll c o m p o u nd t he d a m a g es a l r e a dy s u f f e r ed by t he s c h o o l. I r e s p e c t f u l ly s u b m it t h at t h is is a m a t t er f or u r g e nt r e l i ef as o t h e r w i se t he R e s p o n d e nt w i ll be f r ee to d i s r u pt t he s m o o th r u n n i ng of t he s c h o o l ." In h is a n s w e r i ng a f f i d a v it t he R e s p o n d e nt t a k es t he f o l l o w i ng p o i n ts in l i m i n e: " ( a) T h e re w as no u r g e n cy in t he w h o le m a t t er w h i ch w a r r a n t ed a p p r o a ch to t h is H o n o u r a b le C o u rt on an u r g e nt b a s is in as m u ch as t he a p p l i c a nt h as d e m o n s t r a t ed no i n j u ry c o n t i n u i ng or a p p r e h e n d e d. ( b) The prayer 1 (a) was erroneously granted to operate w i th i m m e d i a te e f f e ct b e c a u se it p r e v e n t ed r e s p o n d e nt f r om d o i ng w h at he h as a l a w f ul r i g ht to d o , t h at i s, to h a r v e st h is c r op f r om t he d i s p u t ed l a nd b e f o re he v a c a t es t he s a id p l ot if he h as t o. ( c) T he application is o ne of e j e c t m e nt in d i g n i se f or w h i ch t h is H o n o u r a b le C o u rt w o u ld h a ve no j u r i s d i c t i on to e n t e r t a in s a ve by i ts g r a n t i ng a p p l i c a nt l e a ve to do s o. 5 / . .. - 5- ( d) A p p l i c a nt is u n p r o c e d u r a l ly p a y i ng h i m s e lf o ff by a p p l i c a t i on w h e re he is n ot p r o v i ng t he d a m a g es he s u f f e r e d ." I d e em it n ot o n ly c o n v e n i e nt b ut a l so n e c e s s a ry f or me to d e al w i th t h e se p o i n ts in l i m i ne s t r a i g ht a w ay in t he s e q u e n ce in w h i ch t h ey a re t a b l e d. ( a) t h at t h e re w as no u r g e n cy M r. P h o o f o lo f or t he R e s p o n d e nt s u b m i ts t h at t h e re w as no urgency e n t i t l i ng t he A p p l i c a nt to p r o c e ed ex p a r te w i t h o ut g i v i ng n o t i ce to t he o t h er s i d e. He d r a ws t he c o u r t 's attention to t he f a ct t h at t he A p p l i c a nt by i ts o wn a d m i s s i on s a ys R e s p o n d e nt w e nt on to t he p r e m i s es d u r i ng O c t o b er 1 9 95 a nd s o w ed m a i ze on a p o r t i on of t he s i te in q u e s t i o n. M r. Phoofolo f u r t h er s u b m i ts t h at t h is a p p l i c a t i on w as o n ly f i l ed in M a r ch 1 9 9 6. He r e f e rs t he c o u rt to t he c a se of ' M a s e c h e le K h a k e t la v M a l a h l e ha a nd o t h e rs C of A ( C i v) N o. 18 of 1 9 91 w h e re it w as h e ld t h at t he a u di a l t e r am p a r t em r u le is a f u n d a m e n t al p r i n c i p le of p r o c e d u r al j u s t i ce a nd t h at it s h o u ld o n ly be d e p a r t ed f r om in e x c e p t i o n al c a s es s u ch as w h e re t h e re is a r e a s o n a b le l i k e l i h o od t h at n o t i ce to t he o p p o s i ng p a r ty w o u ld e n a b le h im to d e f e at or r e n d er n u g a t o ry t he r e l i ef s o u g ht or p r e c i p i t a te t he v e ry h a rm w h i ch t he a p p l i c a nt is s e e k i ng to a v e r t. I a g r ee e n t i r e ly w i th t he p r i n c i p le s t a t ed in K h a k e t l a 's c a se ( s u p r a ). I c o n s i d er t h at t h is p r i n c i p le h as a l w a ys b e en t r i te l aw in t h is c o u n t ry a nd I s h a ll b e ar it in m i nd in d e t e r m i n i ng t h is i s s u e. In my j u d g m e nt h o w e v er e a ch c a se 6 / . .. - 6 - m u st be d e c i d ed on i ts o wn m e r i t s. T he q u e s t i on t h e r e f o re i s, as I s ee i t, w h at a re t he f a c ts in t h is c a se r e l a t i ng to u r g e n c y? In p a r a g r a ph 5 of h is f o u n d i ng affidavit R a n k a b a ti " S a m s on K o b e li c o n c l u d es by s a y i n g :- "This unlawful act by the Respondent which has been forcibly executed by him has prevented the school from planting the crops it intended for use by its p u p i l s ." T he q u e s t i on t h en i m m e d i a t e ly a r i s es h ow m u ch l o n g er m u st t he s c h o ol be u n l a w f u l ly p r e v e n t ed as a l l e g ed f r om p l a n t i ng t he c r o ps i n t e n d ed f or u se by i ts p u p i ls w h i le w a i t i ng f or h e a r i ng " in d ue c o u r s e "? W h at is m o re I a t t a ch p r o p er w e i g ht to p a r a g r a ph 6 of t he f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v it of R a n k a b a ti S a m s on K o b e li p a r t i c u l a r ly t he w o r ds " t he n u i s a n ce a nd t r e s p a ss t h at t he R e s p o n d e nt w i ll c a u se in p u r p o r t i ng to t e nd a nd u l t i m a t e ly h a r v e st h is c r op w i ll c o m p o u nd t he d a m a g es a l r e a dy s u f f e r ed by t he s c h o o l ." I o b s e r ve t h at t h is d a m a g i ng a l l e g a t i on h as n ot b e en d e n i ed as to t he f a ct t h at t he R e s p o n d e nt w i ll t r e s p a s s, t e nd to a nd u l t i m a t e ly h a r v e st t he c r o p. On t he c o n t r a ry t he R e s p o n d e nt a p p e a rs to c o n c e de t h at he w i ll go a h e ad w i th t he h a r v e s t i n g. S ee p a r a g r a ph 8 of h is a n s w e r i ng a f f i d a v it w h e re he s t a t es in p a r t :- "I d e ny t h at t he h a r v e s t i ng of my c r op w i ll c a u se a ny m o re n u i s a n ce t h an w o u ld be c a u s ed by R e s p o n- d e nt if it w e re to r e m o ve t he c r op on i ts b e h a l f ." 7 / . .. - 7- N or d o es t he m a t t er e nd t h e r e. R a n k a b a ti S a m s on K o b e li c o n c l u d es in p a r a g r a ph 6 of h is f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v it "I r e s p e c t f u l ly s u b m it t h at t h is is a m a t t er f or u r g e nt r e l i ef as o t h e w i se t he R e s p o n d e nt w i ll be f r ee to d i s r u pt t he s m o o th r u n n i ng of t he s c h o o l ." O n ce m o re I o b s e r ve t h at t h is d a m a g i ng a l l e g a t i on h as n ot b e en d e n i ed by t he R e s p o n d e n t. I n s t e ad t he R e s p o n d e nt h i m s e lf s u p p l i es t he r e a s on f or u r g e n cy in p a r a g r a ph 6.2 of h is a n s w e r i ng a f f i d a v it w h e r e in he s t a t e s :- "I w i sh to i n f o rm t h is H o n o u r a b le C o u rt a b o ut t he o b v i o us f a ct t h at my m a i ze c r op is r i pe f or h a r v e s t i n g. U n l e ss t h is m a t t er is d e a lt w i th e x p e d i o u s ly ( s i c) I w i ll m y s e lf s u f f er i r r e p a r a b le h a rm as my c r op m i g ht be s p o i lt or r e m o v ed by a p p l i c a nt as t h is is w h at it is h u n g ry to d o ." It is c l e ar to me t h e r e f o re t h at t he R e s p o n d e nt h as n ot s u f f e r ed a ny p r e j u d i ce b ut on t he c o n t r a ry he h as b e n e f i t ed f r om t he f a ct t h at t h is a p p l i c a t i on w as b r o u g ht as a m a t t er of u r g e n cy t h us d e a lt w i th e x p e d i c i o u s ly a c c o r d i ng to h is o wn w i s h. T he c i r c u m s t a n c es of t h is c a se h a ve l e ft me in no d o u bt t h at t h e re w as a c o n t i n u i ng w r o ng h e re c a l l i ng f or t he u r g e nt i n t e r v e n t i on of t he c o u r t. In a ll t he c i r c u m s t a n c es of t he c a se I h a ve c o me to t he c o n c l u s i on t h at t h e re is no m e r it in t h is p o i nt in l i m i ne a nd it is a c c o r d i n g ly d i s m i s s e d. 8 / . .. - 8- ( b) t h at p r a y er 1 ( a) w as e r r o n e o u s ly g r a n t ed to o p e r a te w i th i m m e d i a te e f f e c t. T he c o m p l a i nt r a i s ed in t h is p o i nt in l i m i ne is in my v i e w, s u b s t a n t i a l ly t he s a me as in ( a) a b o v e. C o n s e q u e n t ly I w o u ld d i s m i ss it f or t he s a me r e a s o ns as s t a t ed in ( a) a b o v e. I o b s e r ve h o w e v er t h at R e s p o n d e nt m a k es t he a s s u m p t i on t h at he h ad a " l a w f ul r i g h t" to h a r v e st " h is c r o p" f r om t he l a nd in q u e s t i o n. In my j u d g m e nt t he f a ct t h at R e s p o n d e nt " f o r c i b l y" s o w ed m a i ze on t he l a nd w h i ch h ad a l r e a dy b e en p l o u g h ed by A p p l i c a nt ( s ee p a r a g r a ph 5 of t he f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v it of R a n k a b a ti S a m s on K o b e l i) r a i s es t he q u e s t i on of h is b o na f i d e s. If it s h o u ld t u rn o ut on t he m e r i ts of t he c a se t h at R e s p o n d e nt h ad no t i t le to t he l a nd in q u e s t i on a nd t h at he s o w ed t he m a i ze m a la f i de t h en he w o u ld h a ve no r i g ht to t he c r o ps in q u e s t i o n. ( c) t h at t h is H o n o u r a b le C o u rt h as no j u r i s d i c t i on to e n t e r t a in e j e c t m e nt p r o c e e d i n g s. T h e re is a b s o l u t e ly no m e r it in t h is p o i nt in l i m i ne w h i ch is c l e a r ly m i s c o n c e i v e d. I f i nd t h at a p p l i c a n t 's c a se is s i m p ly an i n t e r d i ct f or t r e s p a ss a nd t h at t h is c o u rt d o es h a ve j u r i s d i c t i on in t he m a t t e r. A p p l i c a n t 's p r a y e r s, as I r e ad t h e m, h a ve n o t h i ng to do w i th e j e c t m e nt b ut t h en e v en if t h is w as a m a t t er f or e j e c t m e nt t he H i gh C o u rt d o es h a ve u n l i m i t ed j u r i s d i c t i on in t e r ms of s e c t i on 2 of t he H i gh C o u rt A ct N o .5 of 1 9 78 w h i ch p r o v i d es in p a r t :- " 2. ( 1) T he H i gh C o u rt of L e s o t ho s h a ll c o n t i n ue to e x i st a nd s h a l l, as h e r e t o f o r e, be a s u p e r i or c o u rt of r e c o r d, a nd s h a ll h a v e, 9 / . .. -9- ( a) u n l i m i t ed j u r i s d i c t i on to h e ar a nd d e t e r m i ne a ny c i v il or c r i m i n al p r o c e e d i n gs u n d er a ny l aw in f o r ce in L e s o t h o ." In my v i e w, t h e r e f o r e, t h is p o i nt in l i m i ne m u st a l so f a ll a w a y. ( d) t h at A p p l i c a nt is u n p r o c e d u r a l ly p a y i ng h i m s e lf o ff by a p p l i c a t i on w h e re he is n ot p r o v i ng t he d a m a g es he s u f f e r e d. O n ce m o re I c o n s i d er t h at t h e re is a b s o l u t e ly no m e r it in t h is p o i nt in l i m i n e. In f a ct I am s h o c k ed by i ts f r i v o l i ty a nd v e x a t i o u s n e s s. T h e re is no s i n g le p r a y er in t he a p p l i c a n t 's n o t i ce of m o t i on s e e k i ng f or d a m a g e s. In t he r e s u lt a ll t he p o i n ts in l i m i ne r a i s ed in t h is m a t t er a re h e r e by d i s m i s s ed w i th c o s t s. I o b s e r ve r e g r e t t a b ly t h at it is b e c o m i ng i n c r e a s i n g ly c o m m on f or a t t o r n e ys to f i le t he so c a l l ed p o i n ts in l i m i ne t h at a re c o m p l e t e ly d e v o it of s u b s t a n ce a nd a re n o t h i ng b ut t o t al a b u se of c o u rt p r o c e s s. T he p r e s e nt a p p l i c a t i on b e f o re me is a t y p i c al e x a m p le of t h is s ad s t a te of a f f a i rs w h i ch c an o n ly l e ad o ur j u s t i ce s y s t em i n to d i s r e p u t e. A p r o p er p o i nt in l i m i ne is no d o u bt m e a nt to c u r t a il p r o c e e d i n gs a nd s a ve c o s t s. It is t h us a v e ry u s e f ul p r o c e d u re in o ur j u s t i ce s y s t e m. B ut w h e re f r i v o l o us a nd v e x a t i o us p o i n ts in l i m i ne a re t a k en as in t h is c a se t he p r o p er a d m i n i s- t r a t i on of j u s t i ce m u st i n e v i t a b ly s u f f er in a n u m b er of w a ys s u ch as d e l ay in a d m i n i s t e r i ng j u s t i c e, i n c r e a s ed c o s ts w h i ch a re f or t h at m a t t er u n w a r r a n t e d, a nd i n v c o n v e n i e n ce to 1 0 / . .. - 1 0- t he c o u r t, t he o p p o s i ng l i t i g a n ts as w e ll as o t h er l i t i g a n ts a w a i t i ng t h e ir t u rn to h a ve t h e ir c a s es h e a rd b e f o re t he c o u rt ( t he l i st is n ot e x h a u s t i v e ). In my v i ew t he w h o le m a l p r a c t i ce r e f l e c ts b a d ly u p on a t t o r n e ys r e s p o n s i b le f or d r a w i ng s u ch f r i v o l o us a nd so c a l l ed p o i n ts in l i m i ne as we h a ve in t h is c a s e. T h is c o u rt w a r n s, t h e r e f o r e, t h at in f u t u re it w i ll n ot h e s i t a te to g r a nt c o s ts on a t t o r n ey a nd c l i e nt s c a le in m a t t e rs s u ch as t h is or e v en o r d er t h at c o s ts be p a id de b o n is p r o p r i is as a g a i n st l e g al r e p r e s e n t a t i v es c o n c e r n e d. H a v i ng b e en b o g g ed d o wn f or so l o ng by t he a p p l i c a n t 's " p o i n ts in l i m i n e" as a f o r e s a id I t u r n, t h en to d e al w i th t he m e r i ts of t he a p p l i c a t i on b e f o re m e. In p a r a g r a ph 3 of h is a f f i d a v it R a n k a b a ti S a m s on K o b e li s t a t es as f o l l o w s :- " On or a b o ut t he 2 3 rd D e c e m b e r, 1 9 94 a nd by m e a ns of a S u p p l e m e nt to a c e r t a in G o v e r n m e nt G a z e t te n u m b er 1 03 of 1 9 94 t he M i n i s t er r e s p o n s i b le d e c l a r e d, a f t er c o n s u l t a t i on w i th t he P r i n c i p al C h i ef of t he a r ea a nd t he D i s t r i ct S e c r e t a r y, b o th of w h om c o n s u l t ed w i th t he l o c al c h i e f, a c e r t a in u n n u m b e r ed p i e ce of l a nd at S e f i k e ng a s e l e c t ed d e v e l o p m e nt a r ea in t e r ms of t he L a nd A ct 1 9 7 9. A c o py of t he s a id G a z e t te S u p p l e m e nt i s, f or e a se of r e f e r e n c e, a n n e x ed h e r e u n to m a r k ed " B ". T he s a id p i e ce of l a nd w as r e q u i r ed by t he l o c al c o m m u n i ty to e n a b le t he L e s o t ho E v a n g e l i c al C h u r ch to b u i ld a H i gh S c h o ol a d j a c e nt to i ts e x i s t i ng p r i m a ry s c h o ol p r e m i s e s ." A n n e x t u re " B" is i n f a ct a g a z e t te f or " D e c l a r a t i on of a S e l e c t ed D e v e l o p m e nt A r ea ( P l ot N o. 2 0 2 7 2 - 0 01 B e r ea d i s t r i c t) in e x t e nt 6 5 7 17 s q u a re m e t r es " m o re or l e s s ". T he s c h e d u le 1 1 / . .. - 1 1- t h e r e of d e s c r i b es t he land in q u e s t i on as " P l ot N o. 2 0 2 7 2 - 0 01 s i t u a t ed at B e r ea d i s t r i ct as d e l i n e a t ed on p l an 2 0 2 72 h e ld in t he o f f i ce of t he C h i ef S u r v e y o r, M a s e ru H A / L S / 8 3 / 7 2 1 ." T he R e s p o n d e n t 's r e s p o n se to t h is a l l e g a t i on is c o n t a i n ed in p a r a g r a ph 5 of his a n s w e r i ng a f f i d a v it in t he f o l l o w i ng t e r m s :- "1 do n ot know a n y t h i ng of t he e x i s t e n ce of t he a l l e g ed G o v e r n m e nt G a z e t t e. I d e ny h o w e v er t h at any c o n s u l t a t i o ns w e re m a de w i th t he L o c al C h i ef as I w as t h en a c t i ng on t he C h i e f t a i n e s s 's (My M o t h e r ' s) b e h a lf in m a t t e rs of a d m i n i s t r a t i o n. I w o u ld h a ve b e en t he o ne a p p r o a c h ed or my m o t h er w o u ld h a ve f i r st t a k en C o u n s el f r om me b e f o re c o n s e n t i ng to such a d e c l a r a t i on a l t h o u gh it f a l ls w i t h in t he d i s c r e t i on of t he M i n i s t e r. I a v er t h at t he said p l ot w as i n h e r i t ed by me f r om my f a t h er by t he f a m i l y 's and c h i e f 's c o n s e n t ." I o b s e r ve t h at w h i le t he R e s p o n d e nt c l a i ms n ot to k n ow a n y t h i ng of t he e x i s t e n ce of t he G o v e r n m e nt G a z e t te A n n e x t u re " B" and d e n i es t h at any c o n s u l t a t i o ns w e re m a de w i th t he local c h i ef t he R e s p o n d e nt h i m s e lf s t a t es r a t h er i n c o n s i s t e n t ly in p a r a g r a ph 6 of his a n s w e r i ng a f f i d a v i t :- " . . . . I w i sh to s t a te t h at as f ar as I k n ow t he last t h at I k n ow of is an i n t e n t i on and d i r e c t i ve f r om t he H o me A f f a i rs M i n i s t ry t h at t h is s i te s h o u ld be d e c l a r ed a s e l e c t ed d e v e l o p m e nt a r e a. I a t t a ch h e r e to a l e t t er f r om t he H o me A f f a i rs M i n i s t ry m a r k ed " M M 2 ". It is s i g n i f i c a nt t h at t he l e t t er m a k es it c l e ar t h at w h en t h is d e c l a r a t i on and 1 2 / . .. - 1 2- t a k e - o v er of t he s i te by a p p l i c a nt o c c u rs I m u st be c o m p e n s a t e d. I n s t e ad of d i s c u s s i ng t h is i s s ue of c o m p e n s a t i on w i th me a p p l i c a nt w a n ts to t a ke my s i te and e v en to e n j oy t he b e n e f it of t he c r op w h i ch I p l a n t ed t h e r e ." I o b s e r ve f u r t h er t h at t he R e s p o n d e nt h i m s e lf p r o d u c es A n n e x t u re " B" w h i ch c l e a r ly i n d i c a t es t h at t he M i n i s t er c o n c e r n ed a c t u a l ly i n s p e c t ed t he land in d i s p u te a nd c o n d u c t ed " p r o t r a c t ed d i s c u s s i o n s" w i th all t he p a r t i es c o n c e r n ed ( m a h l a k o re o h le a a m e h a n g ). I o b s e r ve t h at in h is t r a n s l a t i on s u p p l i ed to t he c o u rt t he R e s p o n d e nt d e l i b e r a t e ly o m i ts to t r a n s l a te t h o se m a t e r i al l a st w o r ds ( m a h l a k o re o h le a a m e h a ng - m e a n i ng w i th all t he p a r t i es c o n c e r n e d) h is t r a n s l a t i on s i m p ly s a y i ng " p r o t r a c t ed d i s c u s s i o n s ." In t he c i r c u m s t a n c es I h a ve c o me to t he c o n c l u s i on t h at t h e re is no g e n u i ne d i s p u te of f a ct h e r e. In my v i ew p r o b a b i- l i t i es a re t h at R e s p o n d e nt w as in f a ct c o n s u l t ed and n o t i f i ed b e f o r e h a nd of t he i n t e n t i on to d e c l a re t he a r ea in q u e s t i on a s e l e c t ed d e v e l o p m e nt a r e a. In f a ct h is o wn A n n e x t u re " B" is c o p i ed to t he l o c al c h i ef of S e f i k e n g. It is s i g n i f i c a nt t h at t he R e s p o n d e nt c l a i ms to h a ve b e en a c t i ng as c h i ef in m a t t e rs of a d m i n i s t r a t i on at t he t i m e. I f i nd t h e r e f o re on a b a l a n ce of p r o b a b i l i t i es t h at he k n ew a b o ut t he land b e i ng d e c l a r ed a s e l e c t ed d e v e l o p m e nt a r ea n or c an he be h e a rd to c o m p l a in t h at he did n ot k n ow t he e x t e nt t h e r e o f. B o th a n n e x t u r es " B" and " C" to t h is f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v it of R a n k a b a ti S a m s on K o b e li h a ve c l e a r ly s u p p l i ed t he m e a s u r e m e n ts a nd t he m ap of t he land in q u e s t i o n. 1 3 / . .. - 1 3- In a ny e v e nt it is s i g n i f i c a nt t h at t he R e s p o n d e nt c o n c e d es in p a r a g r a ph 5 of h is a n s w e r i ng a f f i d a v it t h at a d e c l a r a t i on of S e l e c t ed D e v e l o p m e nt A r ea " f a l ls w i t h in t he d i s c r e t i on of t he M i n i s t e r ." It is A p p l i c a n t 's c a se t h en t h at a f t er t he l a nd in q u e s t i on h ad b e en d e c l a r ed a s e l e c t ed d e v e l o p m e nt a r ea " t he s a id l a nd w a s, in d ue c o u r s e, m a de a v a i l a b le to t he s a id c h u r ch a n d, p e n d i ng t he i s s u a n ce of a l e a se in t e r ms of t he L a nd A ct w as d u ly s u r v e y e d, a m ap t h e r e of m a de and a n u m b er a l l o c a t ed to it b e i ng 2 0 2 7 2 - 0 0 1 . At t he s a me t i me a C e r t i f i c a te of U s er of t he l a nd w as i s s u ed to t he c h u r ch to e n a b le it to i m m e d i a t e ly s t a rt w i th t he c o n s t r u c t i on of t he s c h o ol p r e m i s e s. I a n n ex h e r e u n to m a r k ed " C" a c o py of t he s a id C e r t i f i c a te of U s e r ." ( s ee p a r a g r a ph 4 of t he f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v it of R a n k a b a ti S a m s on K o b e l i ). T he s a id A n n e x t u re " C" of A p p l i c a nt is t e r m ed a " C e r t i f i- c a te of U s e r" and it a u t h o r i s es t he M i n i s t ry of E d u c a t i on to u se " u n e n c u m b e r ed S t a te l a nd d e s c r i b ed as P l ot N o. 2 0 2 7 2 - 0 0 1P f or t he f o l l o w i ng p u r p o s e s :- E S T A B L I S H M E NT OF A H I GH S C H O OL ( S E F I K E NG H I GH S C H O O L) S E F I K E N G ." T h e re is a m ap a t t a c h ed s h o w i ng t he a r ea c o n c e r n ed to be 6 5 7 17 s q u a re m e t r e s. It is s i g n i f i c a nt t h at t he R e s p o n d e nt d o es n ot d e ny t he 1 4 / . .. - 1 4- s a id c o n t e n ts of p a r a g r a ph 4 of R a n k a b a ti S a m s on K o b e l i. T he R e s p o n d e nt m e r e ly c o n t e n ds h i m s e lf by s t a t i ng "I n o te t he c o n t e n ts t h e r e i n" in p a r a g r a ph 6 of h is f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v i t. As I s ee it t he R e s p o n d e n t 's c o m p l a i nt is t h at he w as n ot c o m p e n s a t ed f or t he l a n d. He b a s es h is c l a im f or c o m p e n s a t i on on h is A n n e x t u re " M M 2" a nd c o n c l u d es in p a r a g r a ph 6 of h is a n s w e r i ng a f f i d a v it " i n s t e ad of d i s c u s s- i ng t h is i s s ue of c o m p e n s a t i on w i th me a p p l i c a nt w a n ts to t a ke my s i te a nd e v en to e n j oy t he b e n e f it of t he c r op w h i ch I p l a n t ed t h e r e ." In t he c i r c u m s t a n c es of t he c a se I am s a t i s f i ed t h at t he a p p l i c a nt h as a c l e ar r i g ht in t he d i s p u t ed l a n d. T h us A p p l i c a nt h as s a t i s f i ed o ne of t he r e q u i r e m e n ts f or an i n t e r d i c t. S ee t he l e a d i ng c a se of S e t l o g e lo v S e t l o g e lo 1 9 14 A . D. 2 21 at 2 27 in w h i ch I n n es JA s t a t ed as f o l l o w s: " T he r e q u i s i t es f or t he r i g ht to c l a im an i n t e r d i ct a re w e ll k n o w n; a c l e ar r i g h t, i n j u ry a c t u a l ly c o m m i t t ed or r e a s o n a b ly a p p r e h e n d e d, a nd t he a b s e n ce of s i m i l ar p r o t e c t i on by a ny o t h er o r d i n a ry r e m e d y ." S i g n i f i c a n t ly t he l e a r n ed j u d ge p r o c e e ds in t he n e xt s e n t e n c e. " N o w, t he r i g ht of t he a p p l i c a nt is p e r f e c t ly c l e a r. He is a p o s s e s s o r; he is in a c t u al o c c u p a t i on of t he l a nd a nd h o l ds it h i m s e l f ." 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 m e. It is n ot d i s p u t ed t h at a f t er o b t a i n i ng t i t le a nd d o c u m e n ts f or t he l a nd in d i s p u te t he a p p l i c a nt " c o m p l e t ed t he s c h o ol b u i l d i ng 1 5 / . .. - 1 5- a nd c l a s s e s" ( s ee p a r a g r a ph 5 of t he f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v it of R a n k a b a ti S a m s on K o b e l i .) R e g a r d i ng t he r e q u i r e m e n ts of an " i n j u ry a c t u a l ly c o m m i t t ed or r e a s o n a b ly a p p r e h e n d e d" it is n ot d i s p u t ed t h at t he R e s p o n d e nt " s o w ed m a i ze on a p o r t i on of t he s i te r e s e r v ed f or t he s c h o ol a g r i c u l t u r al a c t i v i t i es a nd a l r e a dy p l o u g h ed by t he s c h o ol ( s ee p a r a g r a ph 5 of R a n k a b a ti S a m s on K o b e l i 's f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v i t ). I am s a t i s f i ed t h e r e f o re t h at t h e re w as an i n j u ry a c t u a l ly c o m m i t t ed a nd t h at it w as r e a s o n a b le f or a p p l i c a nt to apprehend f u t u re t r a n s g r e s s i o ns by t he R e s p o n d e nt as a f o l l ow up to t he s a id s o w i ng of t he m a i ze c r op on t he l a nd in q u e s t i o n. I am e q u a l ly s a t i s f i ed as to t he t h i rd r e q u i r e m e nt t h at a p p l i c a nt h ad no o t h er r e m e dy e x c e pt to a p p r o a ch t he c o u rt f or an i n t e r d i ct in t he c i r c u m s t a n c e s. It is n ot d i s p u t ed t h at " a ll a p p e a ls by t he B o a rd to t he M i n i s t ry of E d u c a t i o n, t he p o l i ce a nd t he D i s t r i ct S e c r e t a ry h a ve b e en to no a v a i l" ( se p a r a g r a ph 5 of t he f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v it of R a n k a b a ti S a m s on K o b e l i .) In my v i ew an i n t e r d i ct is t he b e st r e m e dy f or n u i s a n ce a nd t r e s p a ss as c l a i m ed in t he c a se b e f o re m e. T h is h as b e en a c l e ar c a se of s e lf h e lp w h i ch c o u r ts of l aw c a n n ot t o l e r a t e. T he R e s p o n d e nt m a k es a b a re u n s u b s t a n- t i a t ed a l l e g a t i on in p a r a g r a ph 5 of h is f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v it to t he f o l l o w i ng e f f e ct "I a v er t h at t he s a id p l ot w as i n h e r i t ed by me f r om my f a t h er by t he f a m i l y 's a nd c h i e f 's c o n s e n t ." T h e re a re no d a t es m e n t i o n e d, no p a r t i c u l a rs f u r n i s h ed a nd no F o rm C a t t a c h e d. W o r se s t i ll t h e re is no m e n t i on t h at t he l a nd a l l o c a t i ng c o m m i t t ee of t he a r ea c o n c e r n ed w as i n v o l v e d. 1 6 / . .. - 1 6- A c h i ef h as no a u t h o r i ty to a l l o c a te l a nd in t h is c o u n t ry w i t h o ut h is l a nd c o m m i t t e e. B e c a u se of a c u te s h o r t a ge of arable l a nd in t h is c o u n t ry o ur l a nd t e n u re s y s t em h as a l w a ys r e f u s ed to s a n c t i on a u t o m a t ic i n h e r i t a n ce to a r a b le l a n d s. T he p o s i t i on t h en h as a l w a ys b e en t h at at t he d e a th of t he a l l o t t ee of a r a b le l a nd s u ch l a nd a u t o m a t i c a l ly r e v e r t ed to t he c h i e f t a i n s h ip f or r e al l o c a t i o n. An a t t e m pt w as m a de in t he L a nd A ct 1 9 79 to m a ke a r a b le l a nd i n h e r i t a b le a nd p o l i t i c i a ns in G o v e r n m e nt t h en m a de a l ot of p r o m i s es to t he p u b l ic t h at a u t o m a t ic i n h e r i t a n ce to a r a b le l a n ds h ad f i n a l ly c o m e. B ut on c l o s er e x a m i n a t i on of t he L a nd A ct 1 9 79 t h e re is no d o u bt t h at t he p o l i t i c i a ns as u s u al w e re o n ly b u y i ng v o t es a nd t he p o s i t i on is n ot so s t r a i g h t f o r w a rd as t he p u b l ic h ad b e en led to b e l i e v e. T h e re a re c e r t a in p r o c e d u r es t h at m u st be f o l l o w ed b e f o re o ne c an t a ke o v er a r a b le l a nd t h at b e l o n g ed to h is l a te f a t h e r. T h is is in t e r ms of s e c t i on 8 of t he L a nd A ct 1 9 7 9. T he l a nd c o m m i t t ee is c e r t a i n ly o ne of t he m a in r o le p l a y e rs in t he c o n f i r m a t i on of t he " i n h e r i t a n c e" s o u g h t. T he c h i ef d o es n ot a ct a l o n e. In N e a ng M o a bi v C. M o s a l a l i n t ja C of A ( C i v) N o .9 of 1 9 83 ( u n r e p o r t e d ) S c h r e i n er A . J . A. h ad t h is to s a y :- " T he l aw r e l a t i ng to i n h e r i t a n ce a nd t he u se a nd a l l o c a t i on of l a nd is n ot s t r a i g h t f o r w a rd a nd it is i m p o r t a nt in m a t t e rs s u ch as t h e se t h at t h e re s h o u ld be a f u ll a p p r e c i a t i on of t he l e g al i s s u es w h i ch w e re i n v o l v ed a nd d e t a i l ed e v i d e n ce d i r e c t ed to l a y i ng a f o u n d a t i on of f a ct u p on w h i ch s u ch i s s u es c an be d i c i d e d ." W i th r e s p e ct I e n t i r e ly a g r e e. 1 7 / . .. - 1 7- I f i nd t h e r e f o re t h at t he R e s p o n d e nt h as f a i l ed to s h ow t h at he h as a ny v a l id r i g ht to t he l a nd in d i s p u t e. I am s a t i s f i ed t h at e v en if he h ad s u ch r i g ht it w as e x t i n g u i s h ed by s e c t i on 44 of t he L a nd A ct 1 9 79 w h i ch p r o v i d e s :- " W h e re it a p p e a rs to t he M i n i s t er in t he p u b l ic i n t e r e st so to do f or p u r p o s es of s e l e c t ed d e v e l o p m e n t, t he M i n i s t er m a y, a f t er c o n s u l t a t i on w i th t he r e l e v a nt A l l o c a t i ng A u t h o r i t y, by n o t i ce in t he G a z e t te d e c l a re a ny a r ea of l a nd to be a s e l e c t ed d e v e l o p m e nt a r ea a n d, t h e r e u p o n, all t i t l es to l a nd w i t h in t he a r ea s h a ll be extinguished b ut s u b s t i t u te r i g h ts m ay be g r a n t ed as p r o v i d ed u n d er t h is P a r t ." M r. P h o o f o lo t h en s o u g ht to r e ly on t he c a se of P a g es S t o r es ( P t y) L td v L e s o t ho A g r i c u l t u r al B a nk a nd o t h e rs C of A ( C i v) N o. 14 of 1 9 8 8. He s u b m i t t ed t h at t he R e s p o n d e nt w as n ot n o t i f i ed of t he M i n i s t e r 's i n t e n t i on to d e c l a re t he l a nd in q u e s t i on a S e l e c t ed D e v e l o p m e nt A r e a. I h a ve a l r e a dy f o u nd t h at on t he p r o b a b i l i t i es t he R e s p o n d e nt c l e a r ly k n ew a b o ut t he l a nd b e i ng d e c l a r ed a S e l e c t ed D e v e l o p m e nt A r e a. In a ny e v e nt I am s a t i s f i ed t h at t he c a se of P a g es S t o r es ( P t y) L t d. ( s u p r a) c an c l e a r ly be d i s t i n g u i s h ed f r om t he c a se b e f o re me on t he f o l l o w i ng g r o u n d s :- ( a) In t he c a se of P a g es S t o r es ( P t y) L t d. a d i r e ct a nd s p e c i f ic c h a l l e n ge w as m a de to t he M i n i s t e r 's d e c i s i on to d e c l a re t he l a nd in q u e s t i on a S e l e c t ed D e v e l o p m e nt A r e a. 1 8 / . .. - 1 8- ( b) A c c o r d i n g ly t he M i n i s t er w as a p a r ty to t he p r o c e e d i n g s, ( c) t he c h a l l e n ge to t he S DA t h e r e in w as f u l ly v e n t i l a t ed by all t he p a r t i es a nd t he M i n i s t er h i m s e lf e v en f i l ed an a f f i d a v i t. ( d) In t he p r e s e nt c a se t h e re is no s u ch d i r e ct c h a l l e n ge to t he M i n i s t e r 's d e c i s i o n. ( e) T a k i ng i n to a c c o u nt A n n e x t u re " M M 2" w h i ch c o m es f r om t he R e s p o n d e nt h i m s e lf p r o b a b i l i t i es a re t h at he w as c o n s u l t ed a nd g i v en h e a r i ng b e f o re t he M i n i s t er d e c l a r ed t he l a nd in q u e s t i on a S e l e c t ed D e v e l o p- m e nt A r e a. In all t he c i r c u m s t a n c es of t h is c a se t h e r e f o re I am s a t i s f i ed t h at t he a p p l i c a nt is e n t i t l ed to t he r e l i ef s o u g h t. I m u st m e n t i on h o w e v er t h at at t he h e a r i ng of t h is m a t t er b o th a t t o r n e ys f or t he r e s p e c t i ve p a r t i es h e r e in i n f o r m ed t he c o u rt t h at t he a f o r e s a id c r o ps h ad s u b s e q u e n t ly b e en h a r v e s t ed n o t w i t h s t a n d i ng t he c o u rt o r d e r. T h ey w e re h o w e v er n o n - c o m m i t al as to w ho t he c u l p r it w as a nd d id n ot w a nt to b l a me e a ch o t h e r. T he C o u rt w as l e ft w i th t he i m p r e s s i on t h at e a ch p a r ty h ad p r o b a b ly h e l p ed h i m s e lf or i t s e lf to t he c r o p s. W h a t e v er t he c a se m ay be t h is d e m o n s t r a t es t he n e ed f or t he c o u r t 's u r g e nt i n t e r v e n t i on by w ay of i n t e r d i ct in t he m a t t e r. M r. S e l lo f or t he A p p l i c a nt s u b m i ts t h at t h is is a c l e ar c a se w h e re R e s p o n d e nt m u st b e ar c o s ts on a t t o r n ey a nd c l i e nt s c a l e. 1 9 / . .. - 1 9- In t h is r e g a rd t he c o u rt h as a d i s c r e t i on w h i ch it m u st h o w e v er e x e r c i se j u d i c i a l l y. T he l e a d i ng c a se on t he q u e s t i on of c o s ts on a t t o r n ey a nd c l i e nt s c a le is t h at of N el v W a t e r b e rg L a n d b o u w e rs I k o - o p e r a t i e we V e r e n i g i ng 1 9 46 A . D. 5 97 p er T r i n d a ll J . A. T h is c a se r e a f f i r ms t he c o u r t 's d i s c r e t i on in t he m a t t e r. T h e re a re c e r t a in d i s t u r b i ng f e a t u r es a b o ut h ow t he R e s p o n d e nt c o n d u c t ed h i m s e lf in t h is c a s e. I h a ve s e r i o u s ly t h o u g ht a b o ut g r a n t i ng c o s ts on a t t o r n ey a nd c l i e nt s c a le as p r a y ed in t he N o t i ce of M o t i o n. T h e re is o n ly o ne f a c t or t h at h as p e r s u a d ed me o t h e r w i se a l b e it r e l u c t a n t l y. It is t h i s: In p a r a g r a ph 5 of h is f o u n d i ng a f f i d a v it R a n k a b a ti S a m s on K o b e li s t a t e s: " A ll a p p e a ls by t he B o a rd to t he M i n i s t ry of E d u c a t i o n, t he p o l i ce a nd t he D i s t r i ct S e c r e t a ry h a ve b e en to no a v a il f or t he o s t e n s i b le r e a s on t h at t he R e s p o n d e nt h ad i n s t i t u t ed p r o c e e d i n gs in t he s u b o r d i n a te c o u r t, T e y a t e y a n e ng c l a i m i ng t he l a nd as h i s ." It s e e ms to me t h a t, m i s g u i d ed as it m ay b e, t he R e s p o n d e nt m ay w e ll be l a b o u r i ng u n d er a g e n u i ne b e l i ef t h at he is e n t i t l ed to p l o u gh t he l a nd p e n d i ng t he f i n a l i s a t i on of t he p r o c e e d i n gs in t he s u b o r d i n a te c o u r t. In t he r e s u l t, t h e r e f o re a nd h a v i ng d ue r e g a rd to a ll t he c i r c u m s t a n c es of t he c a se t he R u le is h e r e by c o n f i r m ed 2 0 / . .. - 2 0- w i th c o s ts on t he o r d i n a ry s c a l e. F or t he a v o i d a n ce of d o u bt t he o r d er of c o u rt in p r a y er 1 ( a) s h a ll d e l e te t he f o l l o w i ng w o r ds a p p e a r i ng in l i ne 4 of t he i n t e r im c o u rt o r d e r: "and more especially he shall not be interdicted from harvesting, tending or otherwise having anything to do with a certain maize crop which the Respondent has cultivated on the premises of the said school," as t he o r d er in t h o se w o r ds no l o n g er s e r v es a ny p u r p o se in v i ew of t he f a ct t h at t he s a id m a i ze c r op h as a l r e a dy b e en h a r v e s t ed and r e m o v ed f r om t he l a nd in d i s p u t e. In t he r e s u lt t h e r e f o re t he o r d er of c o u rt s h a ll be in t he f o l l o w i ng t e r m s :- ( a) T he R e s p o n d e nt is h e r e by i n t e r d i c t ed and r e s t r a i n ed f r om g o i ng o n to t he p r e m i s es of t he S e f i k e ng H i gh S c h o ol f or a ny u n l a w f ul p u r p o se or w i t h o ut t he p e r m i s s i on of t he a u t h o r i t i es a nd o t h e r w i se i n t e r- f e r i ng w i th t he r u n n i ng of t he s c h o ol in a ny m a n n er w h a t s o e v er s a ve by d ue p r o c e ss of l a w. ( b) T he R e s p o n d e nt is o r d e r ed to p ay c o s ts of t h is a p p l i c a t i on to t he A p p l i c a nt on t he o r d i n a ry s c a le as b e t w e en p a r ty a nd p a r t y. 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 nt : M r. S e l lo F or R e s p o n d e nt : M r. P h o o f o lo