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].
Where can I get a copy of my divorce certificate?
You can only get a copy of the divorce decree from the High Court in which the decree was issued.
How can I bring my minor children back from Nigeria after their father took them there without my permission?
Nigerian laws are different to ours, but an order from a South African court may help your case.
What will happen to my provident fund if I am sent to prison?
If you are sent to prison, you cannot work and so your employer will dismiss you or take it that you have resigned.
What procedures need to be followed when submitting a Review Application with the Labour Court?
Review Applications must be initiated within six weeks of the award from the CCMA.
Is it legal to fire someone without a warning or a hearing?
No, it is not legal to fire someone without a warning or disciplinary hearing in terms of the Labour Relations Act.
Can my elderly father be evicted from the farm my grandfather bought in 1990 because he doesn't have a title deed?
No one can be evicted without a court order, but it will be very difficult to prove that your father is legally occupying the land.
Is my wife entitled to an older person's grant from SASSA if we are married out of community of property?
Both spouses must comply with the means test, even if they are married out of community of property.
Can a seller change their mind about the cost of the house and sell it for more than it's worth?
The seller can name their price for their property but cannot change their mind after the offer to purchase has been signed.
Can I get a government loan to buy a municipal house if I am unemployed but have some money saved?
Most banks want you to show proof of two years of continuous employment to qualify for a loan.
My mother's employer was not paying her UIF and is now kicking us out of our home on her property.
It is illegal not to pay your domestic worker's UIF. Your mother should apply for social grants and housing.