The following represents a small sampling of matters that are commonly dictated by the terms of a court order: restraining orders, temporary protective orders, emergency protective orders, search warrants, lawsuit rulings and eviction notices.
Recently Bricks Mokolo from The Orange Farm Human Rights Advice Office, guided by CJN, spoke about court orders on Thetha FM. In his weekly show, Mokolo speaks about issues that influence Orange Farm and its surrounding areas. Indicating the idea that some residents are unaware of what a court order is and that before exiting any property there needs to be an eviction notice otherwise it is illegal,
Mokolo spoke about how many people don’t understand the concept of court orders. In one case Mokolo has dealt with from client cases is that spouses who are separated and are now divorced, you find that the woman doesn’t respect their divorce decree insisting that the husband must support her and the children which he is forced by the courts.
Educating the masses on what is a court order is great but one also needs to also be aware that there are fake court orders in that people may fall victim to, therefore; be aware of the following
An authentic court order always contains the following:
- The emblem of the office of the Chief Justice at the top (older orders will have the Coat of Arms);
- The division which issued the order. For example‚ “In the High Court of South Africa‚ Western Cape Division‚ Cape Town”;
- The date on which it was issued and the name of the judge which signed it;
- The names of the Plaintiff and Defendant;
- The order was given;
- The date stamp of the court will be affixed;
- The order will be signed by the Registrar;
- The court seal will be affixed to the order.
