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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

Many South Africans across the country celebrated the Constitutional Court’s decision to decriminalise the private use of dagga. Last month, the Court confirmed that by making the private use of marijuana by adults a criminal offence, the law breached the constitutional right to privacy. In the euphoria that swept the nation after the ruling, many people misinterpreted or misunderstood just precisely what the judgement meant and what the legal parameters are. There are a few essential things you need to know about the legalisation of dagga in South Africa before lighting your next

With a fragile economy and many citizens living paycheque to paycheque, paying rent is a priority for most South Africans to ensure they have a roof over their heads. But in times of great financial strain, it’s often not possible or realistic for some to sacrifice a significant portion of their income to pay rent. And while the law is on the side of landlords to claim arrears and cancel lease agreements, it also protects tenants from illegal removals. The key, of course, is knowing your rights when facing an eviction.

It a source of frustration and irritation for many South Africans: an annoying marketing phone call from a “private number” trying to sell you an upgraded cell phone plan or insurance package. And even after declining the offer politely, a persistent agent forces you to hang up, leaving you to wonder how on earth they got your number in the first place. Well, this is the world of telemarketing, where companies make it their business to compile databases containing the personal information of hundreds and thousands of people. This information is

With recent release of the latest crime statistics in South Africa, which revealed that 56 people are murdered every day, it’s clear that criminal activity in the country is on the rise. And when it comes to the most feared crime, a survey showed that house burglaries or home invasions topped the list. According to Africa Check, in 2017/18, 228,094 house