South Africa's Dividend-Stripping GAAR Judgment in Company AF
On 3 July 2026, the Cape Town Tax Court delivered a landmark judgment in Company AF (Pty) Ltd and Others v Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service, marking the...
Legal guides in South Africa
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87 legal articles
South Africa Visa Appeals: Section 8(4) vs 8(6) (2026)
Ten working days, counted from receipt: A section 8(4) appeal must be lodged within 10 working days of receiving the refusal. The day you receive it is not counted, and...
By Lawzana Editorial Team
South African Residential Rental Laws for Foreign Owners
Non-resident landlords must strictly adhere to the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act (PIE Act) and the Rental Housing Act to avoid legal penalties. Security...
By Lawzana Editorial Team
What to Do After a Serious Car Accident in South Africa
Road Accident Fund claims: lodge within 3 years for identified vehicles and within 2 years for hit-and-run, then issue summons within 5 years. General damages are only paid if a...
By Lawzana Editorial Team
Fired Without Warning in South Africa: Wrongful Dismissal
Most employment rights in South Africa come from the Labour Relations Act (LRA), the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), the Employment Equity Act (EEA), and the National Minimum Wage...
By Lawzana Editorial Team
How to File for Divorce in South Africa: Step-by-Step Guide
South African family law is built around the "best interests of the child" and the constitutional rights to dignity, equality and family life. Your matrimonial property regime (in community, out...
By Lawzana Editorial Team
Debt Collectors in South Africa: Harassment and Verification
You can demand proof of the debt, the collector’s authority, and a full breakdown before you pay. Do not acknowledge the debt or make part-payments until you verify it. Harassment...
By Lawzana Editorial Team
South Africa Dividend Tax: Treaty Rates, Refunds & Repatriation
South Africa Dividend Tax: Treaty Rates, Refunds and Repatriation Updated September 2026 If you own shares in a South African company from abroad, two regulators decide how much of your...
By Lawzana Editorial Team
Resolving Shareholder Deadlocks in South African Companies
Shareholders in South African private companies can proactively prevent deadlocks by including customized tie-breaker provisions in their Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI). The "Shotgun Clause" is a high-stakes exit mechanism that...
By Lawzana Editorial Team
How to File a Road Accident Fund Claim in South Africa
Claims for accidents where the driver is identified must be lodged within three years of the incident. "Hit and run" claims involving unidentified drivers have a much shorter deadline of...
By Lawzana Editorial Team
Suing for Medical Malpractice in South Africa - Legal Guide
Medical malpractice claims in South Africa fall under the law of delict, requiring proof of negligence, causation, and actual damages. The standard prescription period for filing a claim is generally...
By Lawzana Editorial Team
BEE Certificate for Small Business (2026): Free Affidavit or Audit?
Updated September 2026. If your business turns over less than R10 million a year, you almost certainly do not need a paid BEE certificate. For most small businesses, B-BBEE compliance...
By Lawzana Editorial Team
Recover Commercial Debt: Foreign Entities in South Africa
South African courts generally require an attachment of property to establish jurisdiction over a foreign defendant who has no local presence. The Hague Service Convention streamlines the process of serving...
By Lawzana Editorial Team
Enforcing Foreign Commercial Debt Claims in South Africa
South African courts generally require either a submission to jurisdiction or the attachment of assets to hear a case against a foreign entity. The Hague Service Convention streamlines the legal...
By Lawzana Editorial Team
Consumer Protection Act Guide for South Africa Home Buyers
The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) applies only to property sold by developers or investors in the ordinary course of their business, not to private sales between individuals. Developers cannot use...
By Lawzana Editorial Team
South Africa POPIA Compliance Checklist for Global Firms
International firms must comply with POPIA if they process personal information within South Africa or use automated or non-automated means situated in the country. Compliance is built upon eight specific...
By Lawzana Editorial Team
Business Rescue Proceedings in South Africa for Directors
Business rescue is a formal rehabilitation process designed to save "financially distressed" companies from liquidation. A general moratorium is triggered immediately, providing legal protection against creditor claims and asset seizures....
By Lawzana Editorial Team
How to Transfer Property in a South African Deceased Estate
Inherited property in South Africa is exempt from Transfer Duty, but the estate may still be liable for Estate Duty if the total value exceeds R3.5 million. No property can...
By Lawzana Editorial Team
Cross-Border Insolvency: Protecting Assets in South Africa
Legal Framework: South Africa governs cross-border insolvency through the Cross-Border Insolvency Act 42 of 2000, which incorporates the UNCITRAL Model Law . Mandatory Recognition: Foreign liquidators or "representatives" have no...
By Lawzana Editorial Team
South Africa Merger Control Checklist - Foreign Acquirers
Mandatory notification is required for any merger meeting the intermediate or large financial thresholds under South African law. South Africa assesses mergers on both competitive impact and rigid public interest...
By Lawzana Editorial Team