The Constitutional Court has reserved judgement in the case between Vodacom and former employee Kenneth Nkosana Makate, who claims to have invented the 'Please Call Me' service.
The Constitutional Court yesterday heard Makate's application to appeal against a High Court order which dismissed his previous case. This is the last legal stop for Makate on his 15-year journey for justice.
Makate took Vodacom to court in 2008 in an attempt to get compensation for the 'Please Call Me' service, which he claims he invented in 2000 while working for Vodacom as a junior accountant. He said the concept arose when he was not sure whether a then-girlfriend was out of airtime, or avoiding him.
According to the Business Day, in July last year, Makate lost out when the South Gauteng High Court found that while he had entered into a verbal contract with former Vodacom director and product development head, Phillip Geissler, over the idea, the company could only be liable if it had authorised Geissler to contract on its behalf.
In December, the High Court also refused Makate leave to appeal the July judgement that found in favour of Vodacom because of the amount of time that had lapsed between when he allegedly introduced the service to Vodacom and when he lodged his claim.
Former Vodacom CEO Alan Knott-Craig previously testified, saying he invented the concept himself while watching two security guards trying to communicate via missed calls.
Makate has been quoted before saying he and his backers, Sterling Rand, were prepared to go all the way to the Constitutional Court so he can win the 15% of the proceeds he believes is due to him.
Share