1|Page
PVL3703 Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026 (Answer Guide) - DUE 24
March 2026
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
Contents
The Element of Conduct in Amir’s Delictual Claim Against Lalita.......................................... 2
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 2
2. The Concept of Conduct in South African Delict Law ....................................................... 2
3. Lalita’s Conduct in the Given Scenario ................................................................................. 2
4. Voluntariness of Lalita’s Conduct ........................................................................................... 4
5. Legal Duty and Failure to Warn ............................................................................................... 4
6. Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 5
References ............................................................................................................................................. 5
, 2|Page
The Element of Conduct in Amir’s Delictual Claim Against Lalita
1. Introduction
In South African law of delict, a plaintiff must prove all the elements of delict in order to
succeed with a claim for damages. One of these essential elements is conduct, which
forms the foundation upon which delictual liability is built. Conduct refers to a voluntary
human act or omission attributable to the defendant (Neethling, Potgieter & Visser,
2023).
This discussion examines whether the element of conduct is satisfied in Amir’s delictual
claim against Lalita by analysing her actions and omissions in light of established
delictual principles and applying the law to the facts of the scenario.
2. The Concept of Conduct in South African Delict Law
2.1 Definition of Conduct
Conduct in delict consists of human behaviour that is voluntary and can take the form
of either a positive act (commissio) or a failure to act (omissio) (Burchell, 2021). The
requirement of voluntariness ensures that only conduct subject to the actor’s conscious
control may attract delictual liability.
2.2 Conduct by Omission
An omission is not automatically recognised as conduct in delict. South African courts
require that the omission must occur in circumstances where the defendant was under a
legal duty to act positively (Minister of Police v Ewels 1975 (3) SA 590 (A)). The
existence of such a legal duty is determined by considerations of reasonableness and
legal policy, informed by constitutional values (Carmichele v Minister of Safety and
Security 2001 (4) SA 938 (CC)).
3. Lalita’s Conduct in the Given Scenario
3.1 Lalita’s Positive Conduct
PVL3703 Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026 (Answer Guide) - DUE 24
March 2026
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
Contents
The Element of Conduct in Amir’s Delictual Claim Against Lalita.......................................... 2
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 2
2. The Concept of Conduct in South African Delict Law ....................................................... 2
3. Lalita’s Conduct in the Given Scenario ................................................................................. 2
4. Voluntariness of Lalita’s Conduct ........................................................................................... 4
5. Legal Duty and Failure to Warn ............................................................................................... 4
6. Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 5
References ............................................................................................................................................. 5
, 2|Page
The Element of Conduct in Amir’s Delictual Claim Against Lalita
1. Introduction
In South African law of delict, a plaintiff must prove all the elements of delict in order to
succeed with a claim for damages. One of these essential elements is conduct, which
forms the foundation upon which delictual liability is built. Conduct refers to a voluntary
human act or omission attributable to the defendant (Neethling, Potgieter & Visser,
2023).
This discussion examines whether the element of conduct is satisfied in Amir’s delictual
claim against Lalita by analysing her actions and omissions in light of established
delictual principles and applying the law to the facts of the scenario.
2. The Concept of Conduct in South African Delict Law
2.1 Definition of Conduct
Conduct in delict consists of human behaviour that is voluntary and can take the form
of either a positive act (commissio) or a failure to act (omissio) (Burchell, 2021). The
requirement of voluntariness ensures that only conduct subject to the actor’s conscious
control may attract delictual liability.
2.2 Conduct by Omission
An omission is not automatically recognised as conduct in delict. South African courts
require that the omission must occur in circumstances where the defendant was under a
legal duty to act positively (Minister of Police v Ewels 1975 (3) SA 590 (A)). The
existence of such a legal duty is determined by considerations of reasonableness and
legal policy, informed by constitutional values (Carmichele v Minister of Safety and
Security 2001 (4) SA 938 (CC)).
3. Lalita’s Conduct in the Given Scenario
3.1 Lalita’s Positive Conduct
