Unfair Dismissal in South Africa: Your Rights and What to Do
If you have been unfairly dismissed, you can challenge it at the CCMA within 30 days — free of charg...
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How to Get a Domestic Violence Protection Order in South Africa
You can apply for a free protection order at any magistrate's court — the same day, without a lawyer...
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School Fees Exemption in South Africa: How to Apply
Any learner whose parents cannot afford school fees is entitled to full or partial exemption under t...
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Fired While on Maternity Leave in South Africa: Your Rights
No — firing an employee on maternity leave is automatically unfair dismissal. You can claim up to 24...
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Lobola Rights in South Africa: Can a Woman Refuse Marriage After Lobola?
Lobola does not create a binding marriage. A woman has the constitutional right to refuse at any sta...
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How to Refer a Case to the CCMA in South Africa
File a CCMA case in 30 days using form LRA 7.11 — free, no lawyer needed at conciliation. Unfair dis...
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PIE Act Eviction in South Africa: Tenant Rights Explained
Under the PIE Act and the Constitution, no one can be evicted without a court order. Here is exactly...
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How to Lodge a POPIA Complaint in South Africa
Data shared without your consent? File a free POPIA complaint with the Information Regulator. They c...
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Workplace Discrimination in South Africa: Your Rights
The Employment Equity Act prohibits unfair discrimination on 17 grounds including race, gender, and ...
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Can a School Expel My Child Without a Hearing in South Africa?
No — that is unlawful. Section 9 requires a formal hearing before any expulsion. Your child has the ...
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A Wife's Rights in a Customary Marriage in South Africa
Under the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act, a wife has equal legal status to her husband — she...
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How a Domestic Worker Can Claim UIF in South Africa
Domestic workers have been entitled to UIF since 2003. Here is exactly how to claim — what documents...
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Retrenchment Rights in South Africa
Retrenchment is only lawful if the employer follows a fair procedure — consultation, selection crite...
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Overtime Pay Rights in South Africa
Your employer cannot force you to work more than 10 hours overtime per week and must pay 1.5× your n...
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Workplace Bullying and Harassment in South Africa
Workplace bullying and harassment are addressed under the Employment Equity Act and the BCEA. You ca...
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Leave Rights in South Africa: Annual, Sick, and Family Leave
Every employee in South Africa is entitled to at least 15 days' annual leave, 30 days' sick leave pe...
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Salary Deductions Without Consent in South Africa
An employer may only deduct from your salary with your written consent or under a court order. Unila...
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Domestic Worker Rights in South Africa
Domestic workers have the same rights as other employees — minimum wage, UIF, paid leave, and protec...
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Bail Rights in South Africa
Every accused person in South Africa has the right to apply for bail. Here is how bail is determined...
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Right to Silence When Arrested in South Africa
You have the constitutional right to remain silent when arrested. Anything you say can and will be u...
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Right to a Lawyer and Legal Aid in South Africa
If you cannot afford a lawyer in a criminal case, the state must provide one for you. Legal Aid SA p...
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Search and Seizure Rights in South Africa
Police generally need a search warrant to search your home or vehicle. Know when a warrantless searc...
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Rental Deposit Rights in South Africa
Your landlord must invest your deposit in an interest-bearing account and return it within 14 days o...
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Water and Electricity Cut-Off Rights in South Africa
A municipality must give you at least 14 days written notice before cutting off water or electricity...
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Rental Increase Rights in South Africa
A landlord may only increase rent as provided for in your lease and must give written notice. During...
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University Exclusion Rights in South Africa
A university cannot exclude you from further studies without following fair procedures. You have the...
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Corporal Punishment at School in South Africa Is Illegal
Corporal punishment in all South African schools is prohibited by law. Any teacher who physically pu...
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Mental Health Rights in South Africa
People with mental illness have the right to access mental health care, to give informed consent to ...
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Disability Rights in South Africa
People with disabilities are protected against unfair discrimination in employment, education, and a...
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Maintenance Orders in South Africa
Every parent has a legal duty to support their child. Apply for a maintenance order at your nearest ...
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Child Custody Rights in South Africa
Both parents retain parental responsibilities and rights after separation. Custody is determined in ...
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How to Dispute a Credit Bureau Listing in South Africa
You have the right to one free credit report per year and to dispute inaccurate or outdated listings...
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How to Lodge a Consumer Complaint in South Africa
The Consumer Protection Act gives you strong rights against defective goods, unfair contracts, and m...
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Employer Not Paying UIF Contributions — Your Rights
Every employer must register employees for UIF and pay contributions. If your employer hasn't, you c...
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HIV Rights in the Workplace in South Africa
HIV status is a protected ground under the Employment Equity Act. You cannot be dismissed, refused e...
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Medical Aid Claim Rejected — How to Appeal in South Africa
A medical aid scheme must fund prescribed minimum benefits in full. If your claim is rejected, you h...
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Medical Negligence in South Africa
If a healthcare professional's negligence caused you harm, you may have a delictual claim for damage...
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How to Get Divorced in South Africa — Civil Marriage
A civil divorce in South Africa is granted by the High Court or Regional Magistrate's Court. You can...
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SASSA Grant Denied or Cancelled — How to Appeal
SASSA cannot cancel or deny a social grant without following a fair process. You have the right to w...
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Child Support Grant in South Africa
The child support grant is R510/month (2024) for each qualifying child under 18. Here is who qualifi...
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Pension and Provident Fund Rights in South Africa
Your pension or provident fund contributions belong to you. On leaving employment, you are entitled ...
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LGBTQ+ Rights in South Africa
South Africa has some of the strongest LGBTQ+ protections in the world. Discrimination based on sexu...
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Right to Protest in South Africa
South Africans have a constitutional right to peaceful assembly and protest. You must give 7 days' n...
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How to Access Government Information Using PAIA
The Promotion of Access to Information Act gives you the right to request any record held by governm...
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How to Use the Equality Court in South Africa
The Equality Court handles hate speech, unfair discrimination, and harassment complaints — free of c...
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How to Use the Small Claims Court in South Africa
The Small Claims Court handles claims up to R20,000 — no attorney, no filing fee, and usually resolv...
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NSFAS Funding Rejected or Cancelled — How to Appeal
NSFAS must give you reasons for any funding rejection or cancellation. You have the right to appeal....
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Dismissed for Social Media Posts in South Africa
Dismissal for social media posts is possible but must follow a fair process. Not all posts justify d...
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Traffic Fine Rights in South Africa — Challenge, Pay, or Dispute
Know your rights when you receive a traffic fine in South Africa. How to check if it is valid, how t...
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Right to an ID Document in South Africa
Every South African citizen is entitled to an identity document. If Home Affairs is delaying your ID...
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Hate Speech in South Africa — What It Is and How to Report It
Hate speech based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or disability is prohibited by PEPU...
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Religious Discrimination in South Africa
Religious belief is a protected ground under the Constitution and PEPUDA. Your employer must accommo...
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Informal Settlement Eviction Rights in South Africa
Even unlawful occupants of land have constitutional rights. The PIE Act requires a court to consider...
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Whistleblower Protection in South Africa
The Protected Disclosures Act protects employees who report fraud, corruption, or illegal activity f...
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How to Change Your Name in South Africa
You can apply to change your first name or surname at any Home Affairs office. The process costs R14...
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Right to an Interpreter in South Africa
You have the constitutional right to use the language of your choice in court and to have an interpr...
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Maternity Leave Rights in South Africa — Everything You Need to Know
Pregnant employees in South Africa are entitled to four months' unpaid maternity leave under the BCE...
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Parental Leave Rights in South Africa — Fathers and Non-Birthing Parents
South African fathers and non-birthing parents are entitled to 10 consecutive days of parental leave...
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Body Corporate Disputes in South Africa — How to Resolve Sectional Title Conflicts
Dispute with your sectional title body corporate over levies, rules, or maintenance? The Community S...
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Claiming Unpaid Overtime in South Africa — Your BCEA Rights
Employer not paying your overtime in South Africa? The BCEA limits overtime and requires it to be pa...
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Protection from Stalking and Harassment in South Africa
Being stalked or harassed in South Africa? The Protection from Harassment Act gives you the right to...
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Rights of Unmarried Fathers in South Africa — Children's Act Explained
Unmarried father in South Africa? You automatically have parental rights in many cases under the Chi...
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Can My Employer Unilaterally Change My Job Description in South Africa?
Employer changed your job description or duties without consent in South Africa? This may be unfair ...
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Rights of Unmarried Cohabitants in South Africa — What the Law Says
Unmarried couple living together in South Africa? Unlike married couples, cohabitants have almost no...
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Rights of Rape Survivors in South Africa — Medical, Legal and Constitutional
A rape survivor in South Africa? Know your rights — to emergency medical care, free post-exposure pr...
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Your Rights in a Cellphone Contract Dispute in South Africa
Network billing you incorrectly, throttling your data, or refusing cancellation? The CPA gives you t...
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Minibus Taxi Accident Injuries — Your Rights as a Passenger in South Africa
Injured in a minibus taxi accident in South Africa? You can claim from the Road Accident Fund as a p...
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Funeral Policy Dispute South Africa — How to Get Your Claim Paid
Funeral insurer refusing to pay out your policy in South Africa? The Ombudsman for Long-Term Insuran...
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SARS Tax Dispute South Africa — Objection and Appeal Process
SARS issued an incorrect tax assessment in South Africa? You have the right to object and appeal. Kn...
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Work From Home Rights in South Africa — Your Legal Entitlements
Working remotely in South Africa? Your employer still owes you safe working conditions, tools, and c...
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Challenging an Executor in a South African Estate — Your Rights as Beneficiary
Is the executor of an estate in South Africa acting improperly? You can report them to the Master of...
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Homeowners Association (HOA) Disputes in South Africa — Legal Rights and Remedies
Your homeowners association imposing unfair rules or levies in South Africa? The CSOS and courts pro...
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Social Media Defamation in South Africa — Your Rights and Remedies
False posts on Facebook, Twitter/X, or WhatsApp about you are defamation under South African law. Yo...
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Firearm Licence Rights in South Africa — Applications, Renewals, and Appeals
South African firearm licensing is governed by the Firearms Control Act. Know your rights when apply...
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Adoption Rights in South Africa — A Complete Guide
How to adopt a child in South Africa under the Children's Act. Who qualifies, what the process invol...
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Lobola Rights in South Africa — Legal Status, Disputes, and Protection
Lobola (bride price) is a recognised part of customary marriage in South Africa. This guide explains...
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Building Plan Approval Rights in South Africa
Your rights when a municipality refuses building plan approval or takes too long to approve plans in...
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Occupational Health and Safety Rights in South Africa
South African employers must provide a safe working environment. If your employer ignores safety ris...
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Divorce in a Customary Marriage in South Africa
How to divorce in a customary marriage in South Africa. The same Divorce Act applies — here is the p...
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Involuntary Mental Health Admission Rights in South Africa
Your rights if you are being involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric facility in South Africa under ...
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Refugee and Asylum Seeker Work Rights in South Africa
Asylum seekers and refugees in South Africa have the right to work and study. This guide explains wh...
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Public Protector Complaints in South Africa — A Practical Guide
The Public Protector investigates maladministration, corruption, and abuse of power by government of...
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Land Claim Rights in South Africa — Restitution of Land Rights
If your family was dispossessed of land after 1913 due to apartheid laws, you may have a land restit...
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Prescribed Debt in South Africa: How the 3-Year Rule Works
A debt that is 3 or more years old and was never acknowledged or paid may be legally prescribed unde...
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Emoluments Attachment Orders (EAOs) in South Africa: Your Rights
An emoluments attachment order (EAO) allows a creditor to deduct money directly from your salary. Le...
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Reckless Lending Under the NCA: How to Challenge a Credit Agreement
If a lender gave you credit without properly checking your income and expenses, that credit agreemen...
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Reasonable Accommodation for Disability in the Workplace — EEA Rights
South African employers are legally required to provide reasonable accommodation for employees with ...
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Automatically Unfair Dismissal for Disability: LRA Section 187(1)(f)
Dismissal because of disability — or related to it — is automatically unfair under section 187(1)(f)...
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Disability Discrimination in Public Spaces and Services — PEPUDA Rights
The Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (PEPUDA) prohibits disability ...
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CCMA Form LRA 7.11 — How to Download, Fill In, and Submit
Download CCMA form LRA 7.11 free from ccma.org.za. Step-by-step guide to filling in every section co...
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