In a January 2025 judgment the high court dealt with a claim for damages by a claimant who tripped and fell in a shopping mall. The claimant alleged that the defendants who owned the mall were responsible for the area where the incident occurred and failed to ensure it was safe for patrons. The central
Slip and trip
Limiting the duty of care of a shop owner to customers


By Deniro Pillay & Purnel Gangiah on
Shop owners have a duty of care to their customers. The duty of care necessitates preventing harm to customers, which can be reasonably foreseen. The duty is however not limitless.
In De Wet v Gateway Plaza Meatworld CC De Wet slipped and fell at Gateway Plaza. She alleged that her fall was caused by oil…