'Your peas gave me a black eye'

From bras in toilets to black eyes from peas, the Cape Town Small Claims Court has seen it all.

The court, which deals with civil claims of under R15000 and promises "speedy, affordable and simple" justice without lawyers, is popular for resolving spats between neighbours, friends and lovers, and for settling claims for damages and debt.

Small claims courts also provide some insight into the vagaries of human behaviour.

One man demanded that his ex-girlfriend reimburse him R9000 for the money he spent on their bed and microwave oven, and for the loss of his spare car key.

His ex-girlfriend claimed almost R3000 for groceries, medical aid premiums and plumbing costs.

In this case, the airing of dirty laundry became surprisingly literal, with the woman accusing the man of "vindictive, childish behaviour" such as "throwing my bra in the toilet". In the end, the woman was told to pay her ex R1 000.

In another case, a couple's honeymoon was dampened after a dispute with the manager of the wedding venue.

The couple held their wedding reception at a popular Cape Town guest house earlier this year. Neighbours complained that their celebrations were too loud.

As a result, the venue manager refused to return their refundable deposit of R10000, claiming the incident cost him R200000 after he had to cancel forthcoming wedding events because of the noise complaints. No decision has yet been reached by the court.

In another case, a woman is claiming R2000 from a stranger she befriended at a bus stop, saying the loan she gave her was not repaid.

One woman won a small victory after being injured when "badly packed" tinned peas came tumbling onto her head while she was shopping at a supermarket.

In her claim, she said: "The fact of the matter is that the tins were badly packed, otherwise all the tins of peas would not have come tumbling down."

She added: "I also looked like I had been battered in a boxing ring with my entire eyelid dark red, purple, yellow and green."

The woman claimed R1100 to cover her medical bills.

The two sides reached an out-of-court settlement earlier this year.