Ask Athalie Banner

Answers to your questions

Have a question you would like answered? Email us and we may answer it. The questions here are based on ones from our readers, with identifying information removed.

Please note: GroundUp is just a news agency. We are not lawyers or financial advisors, and we have nothing to do with SASSA, Home Affairs, or any other government bodies. We do our best to make the answers accurate using publicly available information, but we cannot accept any legal liability if there are errors. If you notice any discrepancies, please email [email protected].

What should I do if my passport is on the V-list?

You can contact Home Affairs to appeal your status as a "prohibited person".

Read more

Was I wrong for stopping my domestic worker's UIF contributions when she applied for a SASSA grant?

You are supposed to pay UIF contributions until your employee stops working for you.

Read more

What can I do if my RDP house was approved but now they can't find my ID on the housing database?

This is unusual. You should follow up with the office where you made your application. If they can't help, contact the MEC, the Ombudsman or a legal organisation.

Read more

What can my pensioner mother do about her too-high water bills?

If she suspects there has been a mistake, she should query the account. Otherwise she may qualify for indigent relief, depending on her income.

Read more

How can I leave a customary marriage if I lost the lobola negotiations letter and we didn't register the marriage at Home Affairs?

There are other ways that you can prove your marriage to get divorced.

Read more

I have been waiting five months to get my SRD payment date

SASSA has warned that there will be delays in paying social grants after the income threshold was increased

Read more

Can my wife register our child in my absence if we are married under religious law?

A mother can register the child in the father's name if she has proof of marriage

Read more

What is the best way to evict my abusive boyfriend from my shack?

If there is community leadership – like a committee that tracks ownership of shacks – you can contact them for help.

Read more

When selling property, is it right for the conveyancing attorney to demand payment upfront?

Yes, the process of transferring the property to the buyer can only happen once the rates have been paid.

Read more

How can I get legal permission to work in South Africa?

Legal permission to work in South Africa is accessed by getting a visa. In you case it can be a relatives visa, spousal visa or life partner visa

Read more