An order striking a matter off the roll is not a judgment on the merits and does not render the court functus officio. Practice Direction 3 of 2013 empowers a judge to reinstate an abandoned matter on application and for good cause shown, even after the expiry of the 30-day rectification period. Peremptory time limits in the High Court Rules do not oust the court's inherent discretion to condone non-compliance in the interests of justice. In determining whether to grant condonation, the court must conduct a balancing exercise weighing: (i) the adequacy of the explanation for delay, (ii) the prospects of success on the merits, (iii) the degree of non-compliance, (iv) prejudice to the other party, and (v) the overriding interests of justice. Where a litigant has been misled by legal practitioners, has a meritorious case, and the other party suffers no irreparable prejudice, condonation may be granted to allow the matter to be decided on its merits.