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Competition laws require online platforms in the ‘gig economy’ to protect SME and black suppliers

Rosalind Lake (ZA)By Rosalind Lake (ZA) on Posted in General
The Competition Act was amended in February 2020 to introduce new rules to protect small, medium and black-owned suppliers in specific sectors (the buyer power provisions). These include the e-commerce and online services sectors (the gig economy). On 18 May 2020 the Competition Commission issued its guidelines on the buyer power provisions. These guidelines set … Continue reading

Entering into a compromise with creditors – ten things to consider

Akhona BolokoShawn Barnett (ZA)By Akhona Boloko and Shawn Barnett (ZA) on Posted in General
Companies may attempt to rearrange their financial affairs to minimise the financial impact of the pandemic (or for any other reason). Section 155 of the Companies Act provides an informal mechanism of restructuring a company’s obligations to creditors. Here are 10 things to consider when entering into a compromise with creditors: A compromise is an … Continue reading

You may not claim both a section 18A certificate and BEE points for donations to a non-profit entity

Liesl WilliamsAmber von SteigerBy Liesl Williams and Amber von Steiger on Posted in General
Donations to non-profit entities may carry a tax benefit for the donor – the hallowed section 18A certificate. This allows the donor to claim a tax refund and encourages donations. Non-profit entities that are Public Benefit Organisations (PBO) can issue these certificates. PBO status is granted by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) under the … Continue reading

Equitable Jurisdiction: The Pension Funds Adjudicator cannot make orders disregarding statutory provisions

Amina YudaMichelle DavidBy Amina Yuda and Michelle David on Posted in General
Since 1 April 2019, the Pension Funds Adjudicator has been empowered to apply the principles of equity in dealing with complaints. The concept of an equity jurisdiction has raised concerns in the industry due to its discretionary nature. The concept of ‘equitable jurisdiction’ has been the subject of a recent determination by the Financial Services … Continue reading

CIPC Intellectual Property services recommenced phased in from 1 May 2020

Aletia OberholsterBy Aletia Oberholster on Posted in General
The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) Intellectual Property (IP) division’s external systems resumed on 1 May 2020 but are managed by limited staff. Although provision was made to extend any deadlines which fell after 25 March 2020 to 6 May 2020 (excluding 4 and 5 May 2020), you will be required to apply for … Continue reading

Replacement of directions relating to the once-off movement of persons and transportation of their goods

Carina van VuurenJolene EllishBy Carina van Vuuren and Jolene Ellish on Posted in General
The directions in terms of the Disaster Management Act relating to the movement of persons and goods which were issued on 7 May 2020 have been revoked and replaced. The new directions issued on 14 May 2020 offer more flexibility because the movement of persons is no longer restricted to residential property only. The new … Continue reading

Selecting a BEE shareholder – the process is not as unusual as you think

Amber von SteigerBy Amber von Steiger on Posted in General
Broad-based black economic empowerment (BEE) ownership transactions that have gone wrong are often exciting fodder for emotive news articles. But BEE ownership transactions are fundamentally the same as any other ownership transaction and shareholder selection process that would be undertaken in the ordinary course. However, a lack of understanding of the regulatory framework often creates … Continue reading

Money laundering risks in a global pandemic

Sabeeha Kathrada-KhanMarelise van der Westhuizen (ZA)By Sabeeha Kathrada-Khan and Marelise van der Westhuizen (ZA) on Posted in General
The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) published a notice in March 2020 indicating that there will be no relaxation of obligations under the Financial Intelligence Centre Act 2001 (FICA) during the nationwide lockdown. A robust money-laundering policy ought to form an integral part of any company’s compliance program. Business’s compliance functions must operate effectively, even if … Continue reading

e-Commerce directions: Key measures for retailers, customers and courier and delivery service personnel

Jenine NaiduBy Jenine Naidu on Posted in General
From 14 May 2020, the sale of all goods on e-Commerce platforms, with the exception of alcohol and tobacco products, are allowed. However, in terms of the new Alert Level 4 e-Commerce directions, retailers, delivery services and customers are required to observe strict protocols at all stages of the transaction. Below are the key measures … Continue reading

Understanding the ranking of creditors within the liquidation process

Thabang DikgaleStephen Kennedy-GoodBy Thabang Dikgale and Stephen Kennedy-Good on Posted in General
The number of liquidations and sequestrations will, unfortunately, increase due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Preference shareholders with unsecured loans and third party unsecured creditors must be aware of the ranking of unsecured creditors’ claims in the liquidation process. This note specifically focuses on the unsecured loan given by a preference shareholder and not the ranking … Continue reading

Referral of an unfair dismissal dispute v an automatically unfair dismissal dispute – does it matter?

Verushka ReddyKriyanka ReddiBy Verushka Reddy and Kriyanka Reddi on Posted in General
It is the unfairness of a dismissal that is referred to conciliation, and not the reason for the dismissal. In resolving unfair dismissal disputes, the courts will look at substance over form. The court in Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union v Ngululu Bulk Carriers (Pty) Limited (in liquidation) and Others found that where AMCU … Continue reading

Relaxation of regulations for the property sector

Carina van VuurenElizabeth McCaulJolene EllishBy Carina van Vuuren, Elizabeth McCaul and Jolene Ellish on Posted in General
Under Alert Level 4, people can move house, the deeds office will soon reopen, and municipalities will resume functions, including the issuing of clearance certificates and meter reading. On 7 May 2020 separate directions in terms of the Disaster Management Act relating to Municipal Governance operations and the movement of persons and goods were issued. … Continue reading

Risk assessments for corporate donations

André VosSabeeha Kathrada-KhanBy André Vos and Sabeeha Kathrada-Khan on Posted in General
Charity contributions, sponsorships and donations often form an integral part of a company’s social responsibility initiatives. The generosity of companies making donations not only support the company in reaching its internal social responsibility targets, but also spark corporate morale and boosts a company’s public image. One of the positive sides of society’s reaction to the … Continue reading

Director’s disclosure of personal financial interests – What happens when you don’t walk away from the table?

Raphael ChitambiraStephen Kennedy-GoodBy Raphael Chitambira and Stephen Kennedy-Good on Posted in General
A director of a company who has a personal financial interest, or knows that a related person has a personal financial interest, in a matter to be considered at a board meeting must disclose that interest and any other material information relating to the matter before it is discussed at the board meeting (section 75 … Continue reading

Chief Inspector of Mining ordered to publish health and safety guidelines to manage and mitigate against COVID-19 under Alert Level 4

Danielle Ebrahim-NaseemMurray AlexanderGeorg KahleBy Danielle Ebrahim-Naseem, Murray Alexander and Georg Kahle on Posted in General
The Labour Court’s looming deadline of 18 May 2020, compels government to issue detailed guidelines on health and safety and requires that all employers prepare and implement a Code of Practice to mitigate the effect of COVID-19 on mine employees returning to work. Under Alert level 4, various mining operations are allowed to operate at … Continue reading

1000 strong: brush up on your legal knowledge

Aneesa BodiatPatrick Bracher (ZA)By Aneesa Bodiat and Patrick Bracher (ZA) on Posted in General
Our archive now contains over one thousand accessible, searchable blog posts, covering a wide range of topics. Here are some you may have missed – read them to quickly brush up on your legal knowledge: Corporate law How to establish a business in South Africa Blockchain, syndicated lending and secondary market trades 10 things to … Continue reading

CIPC has changed its approach to business rescue application filings during the lockdown

Stephen Kennedy-GoodOlivia RadfordYishika MoodleyBy Stephen Kennedy-Good, Olivia Radford and Yishika Moodley on Posted in General
Voluntary business rescue applications filed with CIPC during 24 March to 30 April 2020 will be processed by CIPC to reflect the dates on which they were filed. These applications do not have to be resubmitted.  Similarly, the appointment of business rescue practitioners that were filed with CIPC during 24 March to 30 April 2020 … Continue reading

Annual returns process updated to include the completion of a compliance checklist

Stephen Kennedy-GoodUgendran OdayarYishika MoodleyBy Stephen Kennedy-Good, Ugendran Odayar and Yishika Moodley on Posted in General
The CIPC has granted an extension for the filing of annual returns (due to the lockdown), but the process now includes the completion of a compliance checklist, to prove compliance with the Companies Act. Annual returns All companies (including external companies) and close corporations are required to file their annual returns with the Companies and … Continue reading

CIPC recommencement of services

Stephen Kennedy-GoodYishika MoodleyBy Stephen Kennedy-Good and Yishika Moodley on Posted in General
Services recommencement The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) has announced that it will be recommencing services on Wednesday, 6 May 2020. Those services will however be done with reduced staff, and therefore delays are inevitable. Business rescue proceedings In regard to business rescue proceedings, the CIPC has stated that any filings made between 24 March … Continue reading

The opening of the deeds office, or not

Elizabeth McCaulBy Elizabeth McCaul on Posted in General
The Regulations to the Disaster Management Act published on 29 April 2020, include the 11 Deeds offices in South Africa as an essential service under Alert Level 4. However, deeds offices may need some time to implement workplace safety measures before they are able to formally open again, and therefore the backlog in deeds registrations … Continue reading

Economic relief measures for members of pension funds

Michelle DavidRoxanne van RooyenBy Michelle David and Roxanne van Rooyen on Posted in General
People unable to work due to the pandemic may be looking to access their pension credits in this time of financial hardship. The position in South Africa remains that a member cannot access their pension benefits while they are still in service. Several other countries have however included, as part of their economic relief packages, … Continue reading
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