On 29 June 1999, Nyika Engineering (Private) Limited, represented by its managing director Charles Mudimu, entered into a written agreement with the respondent to sell her Stand No. 13 of Lot 7 of Good Hope, Mount Hampden for $184,000. The respondent paid the full purchase price on the same day. Despite receiving full payment, Nyika Engineering failed to transfer the property into the respondent's name for three years. Nyika Engineering blamed its erstwhile legal practitioners, Manase & Manase, for the failure. When the matter came to court, an investigation revealed that the property was in the process of being transferred to a third party. On 22 July 2002, the respondent instituted an action claiming an order for transfer. During the hearing, she applied to amend her claim to add an alternative prayer for payment of the equivalent value of the property. The High Court granted the order on 24 October 2002, directing Nyika Engineering to transfer the property within ten days, failing which to pay the respondent the equivalent value of the property within fifteen days as assessed by an estate agent appointed by the registrar.
The appeal was dismissed with costs. The High Court order directing Nyika Engineering to transfer the property within ten days, failing which to pay the equivalent value within fifteen days as assessed by an estate agent appointed by the registrar, was upheld.
A purchaser of property who has paid the purchase price can sue for delivery of the property or, alternatively, payment of its equivalent value. The purchaser need only prove entitlement to delivery; if the seller cannot deliver, the purchaser is entitled to an order for payment of the equivalent value as long as it is known at the time the order is made or is easily ascertainable. The two remedies are alternative terms of the same relief provided entitlement to the property itself is not in issue. There is no requirement for the purchaser to first allege or prove cancellation of the contract of sale to be entitled to an alternative order for payment of the equivalent value. The obligation to pay the equivalent value is predicated upon the seller's failure to comply with the order of delivery.
The Court observed that Nyika Engineering's failure to honour its contractual obligation for three years despite professing willingness to transfer and receiving full payment was unacceptable. The Court noted it was 'in the nature of justice' that the alternative relief be granted in the circumstances of the case. The Court made reference to the practice that had developed of courts granting such alternative claims, citing Vulcan Rubber Works (Pty) Ltd v SAR & H 1958 (3) SA 285 (A) at 289 D-E and Standwin Investments (Pvt) Ltd v Helfer (SR) 1961 R & N 679 as supporting authorities for this practice.
This case confirms important principles in Zimbabwean (and by extension South African) law regarding remedies available to a purchaser in a sale of land contract. It establishes that a purchaser who has paid the purchase price and is entitled to delivery can claim alternative relief for payment of the equivalent value of the property without first having to claim cancellation of the contract. The case reinforces the practice that courts can grant alternative orders where the primary relief is delivery of property and the alternative is payment of its value, provided entitlement to the property is not disputed and the value is known or easily ascertainable. This provides important protection for purchasers who have fulfilled their obligations but are unable to obtain transfer due to the seller's default or inability to perform.