Latest Legal Briefs
Friends And Family May Turn To Foes – Be Careful Who You Appoint As An Executor
There are only two things in life that are inevitable, death and taxes. Taxes are debatable however death will come knocking on each and every one of our doors at some point in our life. This article is about making wise and responsible decisions prior to your death to ensure that you appoint an...
When the reason does not resonate - the South African Labour Court expresses its displeasure with employers that attempt to conceal the true reasons for dismissals
In Mqikela v Pristo Response Trading, the South African Labour Court found that a supposed retrenchment had masked the real reason for dismissal: the employee had referred an unfair labour practice (ULP) dispute to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) The employee’s...
Cabinet approves key aspects on the employment of foreigners
Cabinet announced on 28 May 2025 that it has approved both the National Labour Migration Policy (NLMP) 2025 White Paper and the Employment Services Amendment Bill, 2021 (ESAB) for implementation and submission to Parliament. The NLMP and ESAB have been under consideration for several years now...
Key considerations and compliance challenges as South Africa nears implementation of groundbreaking "Failure to Prevent Corrupt Activities Offence"
Arguably one of the most far-reaching recommendations of the State Capture Commission, the introduction of a failure to prevent corruption offence, is on the cusp of being introduced in South Africa. The Judicial Matters Amendment Bill (the “Bill”) which is due to be considered by the National...
Residential Tenant, Landlord Rights Under Lockdown
In the economic turmoil caused by Covid-19 lockdown, many people have not been able to pay their residential rent. Under government lockdown regulations – which try to ameliorate this problem – where do tenants and landlords stand legally? Two main scenarios emerge in the regulations passed by...
Eric Bonnet-Maes appointed Chief Executive Officer of LexisNexis (RELX Group) for Continental Europe, Middle East and Africa
Eric Bonnet-Maes joined LexisNexis France in 2007 as Sales and Operational Marketing Director before becoming Chief Operating Officer from 2014. Since 2018, he led LexisNexis' Asia region, steering the development of Greater China, Japan, South Korea, India and Southeast Asia from Hong Kong. "I...
Conditional reinstatements shake the labour law tightrope
When it has been found that an employee has been unfairly dismissed the Labour Relations Act (LRA) requires arbitrators and judges to use reinstatement as the remedy of first resort. The requirement for reinstatement to be implemented is limited where the dismissal was only procedurally unfair,...
South Africa’s evolving mineral and petroleum industries
South Africa’s mineral and petroleum industries faced significant changes in 2024 in view of the establishment of the Government of National Unity and legislative developments in these industries. In May 2024, South Africa had its seventh general election the results of which paved the way for...
Termination as a result of prolonged illness
An employee was suspended and attended a disciplinary enquiry for six acts of alleged misconduct. After her acquittal, she was requested to return to work, which she failed to do. She, instead, elected to obtain various medical certificates and social worker reports which declared her unfit for...
Rare and culturally rich West African content, some digitised for the first time
Now available in Africa and amplifying African voices in the research arena , the Africa Commons: West African Magazines collection Centurion, South Africa — Africa Commons: West African Magazines — a landmark digital collection featuring up to 50 000 pages of rare, historically significant, and...
Efficient resolution of landlord-tenant conflicts
The rental housing tribunal, established under the Rental Housing Act 50 of 1999, handles disputes between landlords and tenants of residential properties through mediation and arbitration. The Rental Housing Tribunal (RHT) is a decision-making body comprising of five members appointed by...
Counterfeit Crackdown: Fake Pots Boiled Over in R1-million Bust
In a significant victory for brand protection and consumer safety, Spoor & Fisher’s anti-counterfeiting department supported a police bust in March 2025, to dismantle a major counterfeit distribution network in Johannesburg, resulting in the seizure of more than R1-million worth of Hart pots....
The MTBPS needs to focus on easing the cost of doing business
The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, has committed himself to the task of pursuing his predecessors’ structural reform agenda and reducing red tape, the progress of which will be keenly noted in the Medium Term Budget Policy (MTBPS) on the 11th of November. Angelika Goliger, EY Africa’s...
Webber Wentzel shortlisted in 20 categories for the 2025 African Legal Awards
Webber Wentzel has been shortlisted in 20 categories for the 2025 African Legal Awards, a recognition that reflects the firm’s depth of expertise and impact across the African legal and business landscape. The awards, hosted by Law.com International in partnership with the Corporate Counsel...
Cracking Down or Catching Up? South Africa’s Approach to Crypto Regulation: Part 1 – Payments
Crypto assets (“crypto“) exist in a unique regulatory space. Unlike traditional currency, crypto is not issued by central banks. Crypto can however be used in similar ways to traditional currency: they can be traded, used for payments, investing, security or capital raising. No single law governs...
