Constitutional Damages – a Stagnant or a Changing Landscape?

Authors

  • Andre Mukheibir Nelson Mandela Univeristy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2023/v26i0a15901

Keywords:

constitutional damages, appropriate relief, delictual damages, principle of subsidiarity

Abstract

Section 38 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 provides for appropriate relief where a right in the Bill of Rights has been infringed. In Fose v Minister of Safety and Security 1997 3 SA 786 (CC) the Constitutional Court raised the question of "appropriate relief" with reference to section 7(4)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 200 of 1993. In the Fose case the plaintiff claimed "punitive constitutional damages" together with delictual damages. While the court did not rule out an award for damages for the infringement, it did not award constitutional damages in that instance, specifically because the plaintiff claimed "punitive constitutional damages". The Fose case has been followed by most of the cases heard in the years after Fose was decided. In most instances where constitutional damages were claimed the courts, following Fose, have not awarded constitutional damages where delictual damages were available. The rules relating to constitutional damages are casuistic and it is submitted that the principle of subsidiarity could form a foundational principle to solve the problem of casuistry in this regard.

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Author Biography

  • Andre Mukheibir, Nelson Mandela Univeristy

    Professor, Nelson Mandela University

References

Bibliography

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Case law

Canada

Vancouver (City) v Ward [2010] 2 SCR 28

Ireland

Kennedy v Ireland [1987] IR 587

Conway v Irish National Teachers Organisations [1991] 2 IR 305

New Zealand

Dunlea v Attorney-General [2000] 3 NZLR

Liston-Lloyd v The Commissioner of Police [2015] NZHC 2614

South Africa

Arbitration Award between Families of Mental Health Care Users Affected by the Gauteng Mental Marathon Project (Claimants) and National Minister of Health of the Republic of South Africa, Government of the Province of Gauteng, Premier of the Province of Gauteng, Member of the Executive Council of Health: Province of Gauteng (Respondents) http://www.saflii.org/images/LifeEsidimeniArbitrationAward.pdf accessed 13 March 2023

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Esselen v Argus Printing and Publishing Co Ltd 1992 3 SA 764 (T)

Fose v Minister of Safety and Security 1996 2 BCLR 232 (W)

Fose v Minister of Safety and Security 1997 3 SA 786 (CC)

Government of the Republic of South Africa v Grootboom 2001 1 SA 46 (CC)

Kate v MEC for the Department of Welfare, Eastern Cape 2005 1 SA 141 (SECLD)

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Mahambehlala v MEC for Welfare, Eastern Cape 2001 1 SA 342 (SE)

Mazibuko v City of Johannesburg 2010 4 SA 1 (CC)

Mbanga v MEC for Welfare, Eastern Cape 2002 1 SA 359 (SE)

Member of the Executive Council: Welfare v Kate 2006 4 SA 478 (SCA)

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My Vote Counts NPC v Minister of Justice and Correctional Services 2018 5 SA 380 (CC)

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Olitzki Property Holdings v State Tender Board 2001 3 SA 1247 (SCA)

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Residents of Industry House, 5 Davies Street, New Doornfontein, Johannesburg v Minister of Police 2023 3 SA 329 (CC)

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South African Human Rights Commission obo South African Jewish Board of Deputies v Masuku 2022 4 SA 1 (CC) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02587203.2023.2275311

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Thubakgale v Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality 2022 8 BCLR 985 (CC)

Legislation

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 200 of 1993

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996

Expropriation Act 63 of 1975

Housing Act 107 of 1997

Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000

South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995

Internet sources

Office of the Health Ombud 2017 Report into the Circumstances Surrounding the Deaths of Mentally Ill Patients: Gauteng Province http://healthombud.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FINALREPORT.pdf accessed 8 August 2023

Published

23-11-2023

Issue

Section

Special Edition: Legal History

How to Cite

Mukheibir, A. (2023). Constitutional Damages – a Stagnant or a Changing Landscape?. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, 26, (Published on 23 November 2023) pp 1 - 41. https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2023/v26i0a15901

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