Man tries to sue FirstRand Bank for wife's infidelity

A Johannesburg man tried to sue FirstRand Bank after his wife allegedly fell in love with her colleague while working there.

"There should be a motto, ex curia Johannesburgensis semper aliquid novi: out of the Johannesburg High Court there is always something new," judge Nigel Willis said in his judgement according to the Star.

"I know that litigants can be imaginative here in Johannesburg, but this is one that deserves a special prize."

In an application brought by Dessie Ramnath, he alleged that the bank was responsible for the pain and suffering that resulted from the affair.

According to the report, Willis said the claim was bizarre and was clearly without merit.

"There is no such claim recognised n our common law," Willis said.

"I am quite confident that, no matter how many judges of this division may try to develop the common law, we are not, in this country, going to start allowing awards of damages against employers because people fall in love at work.

"This happens all the time. It has happened, and will no doubt continue to happen until the cows come home."

The bank objected to Ramnath's claim.