ORIGIN:
Definition of Voetstoots
- Dutch
- “Met de voet te stoten”
- To push/shove with the foot
SOUTH AFRICAN LAW:
Definition of Voetstoots
- Without guarantee or warranty
- As it stands
- With all its faults
- At the buyers risk
- What you see is what you get
APPLICATION:
Interpretation of Voetstoots
- Sale of immovable property i.e. house
- Purchase of goods
- producer
- importer
- distributor
- retailer
DEFINITION OF DEFECTS
Interpretation of Voetstoots
“Material imperfection that renders goods less acceptable or
practicable”
TYPES OF DEFECTS
Interpretation of Voetstoots
- Latent Defects
- Hidden / non-obvious
- Not visible or discoverable
- Patent Defects
- Easily identified
SALE OF A HOUSE
Voetstoots & Immovable Property
- Application of the CPA?
- Ordinary course of business i.e. developer
- Private Sale
- Offer to purchaser / agreement of sale
- Inspection by the buyer
- Signature of an agreement
- Duty on the Seller
SALE OF A HOUSE
Voetstoots & Immovable Property
- Deliberate concealment – not protected by voetstoots
- Concealment of defects = test
- Conscious knowledge
- Reasonable grounds
- Obligation to disclose
- Remedies available to the Buyer?
CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT
Voetstoots & CPA
- 1 April 2011
- Voetstoots survive the CPA?
- Creation of term regarding quality = rights for consumer in CPA
TRANSACTIONS THAT FALL WITHIN THE ACT
Voetstoots & CPA
- Implied warranty of quality = expectation:
- Good quality
- Working order
- Free from defects
SECTION 55: Consumer’s right to safe, good quality goods
Voetstoots & CPA
- Right to received goods that are:
- Reasonably suitable for the purpose intended
- Good quality, good working order, free from defects
- Useable and durable for a reasonable period of time
SECTION 55: Consumer’s right to safe, good quality goods
Voetstoots & CPA
- Additional Rights:
- Inform supply of a specific purpose for goods
- Supplier offers goods
- Acts in a manner = knowledge
- Consumer expectation
SECTION 56: Implied warranty of quality
Voetstoots & CPA
- Goods must comply with provisions of the Act
- Defect = Remedy to Consumer
- Within 6 months – refund, replace or repair
- Repairs = 3 months
- Cash or Credit?
SECTION 2(10)
Voetstoots & CPA
- Interpretation of CPA
- Cannot preclude any right the consumer has in terms of
Common Law
- Section 56 confirms CPA rights are in addition to Common
Law rights
SECTION 51
Voetstoots & CPA
- Transaction / agreement cannot be subject to terms and
conditions that:
- Waive / deprive consumer of rights ito the Act
- General ‘umbrella’ voetstoots = against the Act
NO PROTECTION FROM VOETSTOOTS
Application of Voetstoots
- Sub-standard goods
- Fraud / non-disclosure / deliberate concealment
CPA NOT APPLICABLE
Application of Voetstoots
- Auction
- Consumer has agreed as to the quality of goods
- Expressly informed by the supplier
- Specific condition of goods i.e. described defects
- Expressly agreed to accept / knowingly acted in a manner
consistent with accepting goods
CLAUSES IN CONTRACTS & THE CPA
Application of Voetstoots
- Section 48(1)(c)
- Exclusion, restriction, limitation
- Unfair, unreasonable, unjust
TIPS TO ENSURE YOUR RIGHTS: SALE OF PROPERTY
Conclusion
- Thorough inspection by both parties before signing
- Voetstoots clause not an essential = contract out
TIPS TO ENSURE YOUR RIGHTS: PURCHASE OF GOODS
Conclusion
- Section 55 & 56 = enforce your rights
- Consumer Goods and Services Ombud
- 08600 000 272
- www.csgo.org.za