A shop in the Eastern Cape has been ordered to drop the words ‘Sun City’ from its registered company name after failing to oppose a legal challenge by Sun International, which argued the name could mislead the public into believing the business was connected to its well-known resort.

According to Business Day, the Companies Tribunal found Sun City Tuckshop (Pty) Ltd had breached the Companies Act by using a name confusingly similar to Sun International’s Sun City trademark.

In terms of the order, dated 28 September, the business has 60 days to change its name.

The decision followed an application by Sun International, which owns the Sun City resort in the North West, after attempts to resolve the dispute amicably failed.

The JSE-listed company, valued at about R11bn, referred the matter to the tribunal in April.

According to the ruling, Sun City Tuckshop was incorporated in 2025 and registered at an address in Main Street, Bofolo, Fort Beaufort, Eastern Cape. The company did not respond to the application by the 14 May deadline, and Sun International subsequently applied for an order in its absence. 

The tribunal agreed that the similarity between the names created a likelihood of confusion among the public.

The ruling was made under section 160 of the Companies Act. It directs Sun City Tuckshop to choose a new name that does not contain the words ‘Sun City’ and to file the necessary amendment to its memorandum of incorporation within 60 calendar days of receiving the order.

If the company fails to comply, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission must change its name to its registration number, 2025/301196/07, as a temporary name within 60 business days.

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