Few things are as exciting as being handed the keys to your new home! It’s a space that you not only can transform to express who you are; it’s also a worthy investment that you can keep in the family for generations. Not to mention, if you are a home flipper in the making, you will be more than thrilled to have acquired a new asset to spruce up and sell for a profit. But, the hidden costs of buying a house in South Africa can take many potential homeowners by surprise, and often thwart the entire purchase. So, doing additional research and gaining knowledge is vital before putting

As we all know, life can be unpredictable, and at some point, you might find yourself in a position of not being able to pay back the money you owe someone. Of course, avoiding the issue and not coming up with a suitable arrangement could result in legal action against you. And this is where you are very likely to encounter a summons, which can be confusing. So, let’s take a closer look at what precisely a summons is and what you should look out for. In our legal system, a summons is the

With South Africa being one of the most beautiful countries in the world, it comes as no surprise that photographers and filmmakers want to capture its scenery from all angles. Drones, of course, have made aerial photography possible for both professionals and amateurs. While these devices have taken off in South Africa over the last few years, their usage remained unregulated for quite some time. But with drones having the potential to cause property damage and contravene private citizens’ right

Signing a cellphone contract and getting the latest device in your hands is a fairly straightforward process, but things get a little more complicated when you try to cancel it. Let’s take a look at what you need to know and, more importantly, what the law says about cancelling your cellphone contract in South Africa. What kind of contract is it? Cellphone contracts are usually fixed-term contracts, which means the agreement between you and the service provider

A child getting kidnapped is every parent’s worst nightmare! Especially in South Africa where the danger of kidnapping grows year after year. As evidenced in multiple viral videos of children snatched in malls and restaurants, it can happen in the blink of an eye! To save a child’s life, it is essential to know what to do, especially in the first 24 hours. What defines a kidnapping? According to South African law, kidnapping is a separate crime from abduction. Abduction is the unlawful taking

When it comes to HIV awareness, South Africa has made extraordinary progress in a relatively short amount of time. Year after year, the stigma around HIV and those living with the disease seems to disappear more and more. However, there is still room for improvement in many sectors. One of the critical areas in which HIV awareness and acceptance needs to expand is in the workplace. Discrimination against HIV-positive employees still seems to be a problem in South Africa, considering a third of HIV-positive employees reportedly feel

In January 2019, Parliament’s portfolio committee on justice and correctional services adopted the Child Justice Amendment Bill and pushed the minimum age of criminal capacity of children from 10 years to 12 years. South African law currently states that children under the age of 10 do not have criminal capacity and cannot be prosecuted for committing crimes. Committee chairperson Madipoane Refiloe Moremadi Mothapo said, “The primary objective of the Child Justice Amendment Bill is to increase the minimum age of criminal

It’s frightening but real: the end of the year is just around the corner, and while employees are hard at work chasing final deadlines, employers are finalising plans for an unforgettable year-end function. It’s a time to reflect on the year, celebrate achievements and say thank you to the people who make valuable contributions to the company. Of course, a year-end function is a festive affair and usually includes good food and alcoholic beverages. But those drinks can be responsible for a few headaches, and we’re not just talking about

From New Year’s Eve to Guy Fawkes Day, for many, a celebration is incomplete without a good firework display. But before lighting up those crackers, it’s important to remember that it’s not just a free-for-all, and there are laws the regulate the use of fireworks in South Africa. Not complying with the rules could result in a hefty fine or time behind bars. It is worth noting that there are only a few specific days on which the public may set off fireworks (these include Diwali, New Year’s Eve and, of course, Guys Fawkes). The use of