AGRICULTURAL

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

MARKETING OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS ACT:

Inputs from directly affected groups in the Dairy Industry: Comments invited

G 54355 RG 11952 GoN 7246

– Comment by 10 Apr 2026

20 March 2026

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Marketing of Agricultural Products Act: Inputs from directly affected groups in the Dairy Industry: Comments invited

G 54355 RG 11952 GoN 7246

– Comment by 10 Apr 2026

20 March 2026

54350rg11955gon7242.pdf

INCORRECT DOCUMENT LOADED – WILL KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE CORRECT ONE.

ACTION

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

ANIMAL IMPROVEMENT ACT:

Regulations: Amendment

G 54350 RG 11955 GoN 7242

19 March 2026

APPLIES TO: 

The amendment primarily affects

·        commercial breeders,

·        veterinary reproduction professionals,

·        genetic material centres,

·        import/export agents,

·        breeder organisations, and

·        regulated applicants in the livestock and animal genetics sector

SUMMARY

Amends the regulations under the Animal Improvement Act, 1998 by updating and prescribing revised application, registration, renewal, inspection, appeal, and import/export fees payable to the Department of Agriculture for animal breeding, genetic material, and related regulatory activities.

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

NO. R. 7242 19 March 2026

ANIMAL IMPROVEMENT ACT, 1998 (ACT No. 62 OF 1998)

REGULATIONS: AMENDMENT

The Minister of Agriculture, acting under Animal Improvement Act, 1998 (Act No. 62 of 1998), made the regulations in the Schedule.

SCHEDULE

Definitions

1. In this Schedule “the Regulations” means the Regulations published by Government Notice No. R 1682 of 21 November 2003, an amendment of Government Notice No. R579 of 17 June 2005.

Amendment of Table 1 of the Regulations

2. The Table in the Annexure is hereby amended as follows:

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Animal Improvement Act: Regulations: Amendment

G 54350 RG 11955 GoN 7242

19 March 2026

54350rg11955gon7242.pdf

ACTION

Take note of the amended fees.

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

FERTILIZER, FARM FEEDS, AGRICULTURAL REMEDIES AND STOCK REMEDIES ACT:

Application for derogation for restricted use of agricultural remedies identified as substances of concern: Comments invited

G 54319 GoN 7230

– Comment by 12 Apr 2026

13 March 2026

APPLIES TO: 

For Interested Parties

DETAILS

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Fertilizer, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act: Application for derogation for restricted use of agricultural remedies identified as substances of concern: Comments invited (English / Afrikaans)

G 54319 GoN 7230

– Comment by 12 Apr 2026

13 March 2026

54319gon7230.pdf

ACTION

Interested Parties need to submit comments before 12 April 2026.

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION ACT:

Regulations: Amendment

G 54319 GoN 7220

13 March 2026

APPLIES TO: 

Anyone who owns, trades, transports, inspects, treats, slaughters, or exports identified animals in South Africa is affected by this amendment.

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL NOTICE:

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Animal Identification Act: Regulations: Amendment

G 54319 GoN 7220

13 March 2026

54319gon7220.pdf

ACTION

Take note of the new set of fees.

ANTI-BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

PREVENTION AND COMBATING OF CORRUPT ACTIVITIES AMENDMENT BILL:

Explanatory summary: Comments invited

G 54319 GeN 3821

– Comment by 12 Apr 2026

13 March 2026

APPLIES TO: 

1. Private sector executives and employees

Any private individual or business involved in corrupt activities with public bodies or other private entities would be affected, including:

• Directors and officers of companies
• Procurement, finance, and compliance personnel
• Contractors and service providers to the state

They would face:

• The same mandatory minimum sentences for PRECCA offences
• Increased exposure due to the lower reporting threshold

2. Accounting officers and persons with reporting duties

Persons under PRECCA who are legally required to report corrupt transactions would be significantly affected:

• Accounting officers
• Directors and managers
• Auditors, compliance officers, and risk officers

The Bill proposes to:

• Lower the mandatory reporting threshold from R100,000 to R30,000, meaning more transactions must be reported to authorities

3. Companies and institutions (public and private)

Organizations as entities would be indirectly affected through:

• Increased compliance and reporting obligations
• Greater criminal risk for leadership and governance failures
• Expanded internal controls, whistle‑blowing, and monitoring systems needed to avoid exposure

SUMMARY

The draft Bill seeks to:

• introduce mandatory minimum sentences for offences relating to corrupt activities, linked to the monetary value of the corruption involved ranging from five to eighteen years. This is to ensure consistent, proportionate, and deterrent penalties;
• lower the threshold for the mandatory reporting of corruption to strengthen accountability and transparency in both public and private institutions from R100 000 to R30 000. Members of the public, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders are invited to submit written comments on the proposed content of the draft Bill within 30 days of this notice’s publication.

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

GENERAL NOTICE 3821 OF 2026

PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

MS DE JAMES, MP

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO INTRODUCE A PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL AND INVITATION FOR COMMENT THEREON, NAMELY THE PREVENTION AND COMBATING OF CORRUPT ACTIVITIES AMENDMENT BILL, 2026

Ms Dereleen Elana James, MP, acting in accordance with section 73(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, intends to introduce the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Amendment Bill, 2026, in Parliament. An explanatory summary of the Bill is hereby published in accordance with Rule 276(1)(c) of the Rules of the National Assembly (9th Edition).

ActionSA has identified corruption as Public Enemy Number One. South Africa is estimated to lose approximately R27 billion annually to corruption, at a cost of an estimated 66 000 jobs. On Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, South Africa ranks 82nd out of 180 countries, lagging behind peer nations such as Ghana, Botswana and Senegal. Corruption causes severe and disproportionate harm to service delivery, the economy, and democratic governance, while steadily eroding public trust in state institutions.

Despite the legal framework established by the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004 (Act No. 12 of 2004) (“PRECCA”), and the hard lessons arising from the era of State Capture, accountability for corruption remains inadequate. Deterrence is weak, public confidence in institutions continues to decline, and individuals implicated in serious acts of corruption too often evade meaningful consequences and return swiftly to public life.

Although PRECCA criminalises a wide range of corrupt conduct, it does not provide for mandatory minimum sentences linked to the monetary value or aggravating impact of the corruption concerned.

This legislative gap contributes to inconsistent sentencing outcomes and undermines the deterrent effect of anti-corruption enforcement.

To address these shortcomings, ActionSA proposes amendments to PRECCA to introduce mandatory minimum sentences ranging from five to eighteen years’ imprisonment for offences under the Act, calibrated according to the monetary scale of the corrupt conduct involved. These reforms seek to ensure that penalties for corruption are effective, proportionate, and dissuasive, in line with international best practice and a clear principle of zero tolerance for corruption.

The draft Bill seeks to:

• introduce mandatory minimum sentences for offences relating to corrupt activities, linked to the monetary value of the corruption involved ranging from five to eighteen years. This is to ensure consistent, proportionate, and deterrent penalties;
• lower the threshold for the mandatory reporting of corruption to strengthen accountability and transparency in both public and private institutions from R100 000 to R30 000. Members of the public, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders are invited to submit written comments on the proposed content of the draft Bill within 30 days of this notice’s publication.

Submissions can be delivered to the Speaker of the National Assembly, New Assembly Building, Parliament Street, Cape Town, 8001; mailed to the Speaker, P O Box 15, Cape Town, 8000 or emailed to speaker@parliament.gov.za and copied to parliament@actionsa.org.za.

A copy of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Amendment Bill, 2026, may be accessed at the following website: https://www.actionsa.org.za/bills/.

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Amendment Bill: Explanatory summary: Comments invited

G 54319 GeN 3821

– Comment by 12 Apr 2026

13 March 2026

54319gen3821.pdf

ACTION

Ensure that you submit your comments before 12 April 2026.

CONSTRUCTION

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

ENGINEERING PROFESSION ACT:

Effective Regulator Assuring Engineering Excellence: Identification of Engineering Work Rules

G 54319 BN 892

13 March 2026

APPLIES TO: 

1. All engineering practitioners performing engineering work

This includes anyone performing identified engineering work in any of the listed disciplines (civil, electrical, mechanical, chemical, mining, etc.), namely:

• Professional Engineers (Pr Eng)
• Professional Engineering Technologists (Pr Tech Eng)
• Professional Engineering Technicians (Pr Eng Tech)
• Professional Certificated Engineers
• Specified Category Practitioners
• Candidate engineers (working under supervision)

If you are doing work that involves planning, design, analysis, construction, operation, management, or maintenance of engineering systems, this notice applies to you.

2. Unregistered persons currently doing engineering work

The Rules explicitly apply to:

• Persons not registered under the Engineering Profession Act but
• Who are performing work now classified as “identified engineering work”

These persons must:

• Apply for appropriate registration within 36 months from 13 March 2026, or
• Obtain a transitional authorisation or special consent from ECSA.

3. Engineering employees of the State

Any person employed by an organ of state whose job involves:

• Managing
• Directing
• Overseeing
• Maintaining engineering work is deemed to be performing identified engineering work, including:
• Municipal engineers and technical managers
• Provincial and national department officials
• SOE technical executives and managers

4. Engineering consultants and consulting firms

The notice applies to:

• Consulting engineers
• Multidisciplinary consulting firms
• Firms acting as principal consultant or principal agent
• Engineers signing off on designs, reports, or compliance certificates

Firms must ensure that only persons registered in the appropriate category perform or take responsibility for identified engineering work.

5. Employers who assign engineering work

While the Act regulates persons, the Rules directly affect:

• Employers
• Project owners
• Developers
• Boards and executives

They must ensure:

• Work is assigned to the correct registration category
• Regulatory scope‑of‑practice is respected
• No improper conduct arises through misallocation of engineering work

6. Higher education and training institutions

The Rules apply to:

• Universities
• Universities of technology
• TVET colleges (at exit‑level engineering programmes)

Anyone responsible for:

• Planning
• Designing
• Delivering
• Assessing
• Moderating
  engineering programmes at exit level is deemed to be performing identified engineering work and must be appropriately registered.

7. Professionals working across disciplines

The notice governs:

• Cross‑disciplinary practice
• Dual registration
• Work outside one’s registered category or discipline

Such persons must obtain:

• Transitional authorisation
• Special consent
• Or category adjustment from ECSA

SUMMARY

1. What is this notice about?

This notice publishes the Identification of Engineering Work Rules issued by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) under the Engineering Profession Act, 2000 (Act 46 of 2000).

In simple terms, it formally defines:

• What constitutes “identified engineering work”
• Which categories of registered engineering professionals may perform which engineering work
• What level of competence is required for different types of engineering activities
• Which engineering disciplines and practice areas fall under ECSA’s jurisdiction

It replaces the earlier draft Identification of Work Regulations (GN 44333 of 26 March 2021) that were published for comment but never fully implemented.

2. Purpose of the notice

The core purposes are to:

a. Protect public safety and the public interest

By ensuring that only suitably qualified, registered, and competent persons perform engineering work that affects:

• Public infrastructure
• Health and safety
• Environmental sustainability
• Economic and social systems

b. Clarify role boundaries in engineering practice

The Rules clearly differentiate between:

• Professional Engineers
• Professional Engineering Technologists
• Professional Engineering Technicians
• Professional Certificated Engineers
• Specified Category Practitioners

and link each category to:

• The complexity of engineering problems
• The scope of services they may lawfully perform

c. Align engineering work with competency and registration

The Rules formally connect:

• Categories of registration
• Core competencies
• Practice areas and disciplines

This closes a long‑standing regulatory gap under section 26 of the Engineering Profession Act.

3. What the Rules cover (high level)

a. Identified Engineering Work

Engineering work is defined broadly to include:

• Planning, analysis, design, development
• Construction, manufacture, operation and maintenance
• Academic teaching and training at exit‑level engineering programmes
• Management of engineering work in organs of state

b. Engineering disciplines covered

The Rules identify engineering work across 11 disciplines, including:

• Aeronautical
• Agricultural
• Chemical
• Civil
• Computer
• Electrical
• Industrial
• Mechanical
• Mechatronic
• Metallurgical
• Mining

Each discipline has detailed practice areas and core services listed.

c. Competency framework

The Rules establish:

• 11 competency areas (technical, management, ethical, safety, sustainability, CPD)
• Differentiation between complex, broadly defined, well‑defined and specifically defined engineering activities
• Mandatory registration and competence alignment for each type of work

d. Cross‑disciplinary and exceptional arrangements

Provision is made for:

• Transitional authorisation
• Special consent
• Category adjustment
• Cross‑disciplinary practice
• Dual registration with other built‑environment councils

4. What this notice does not do

• ❌ It does not amend the Engineering Profession Act
• ❌ It does not introduce fees
• ❌ It does not automatically prohibit existing practitioners overnight

Instead, it creates a structured, enforceable framework with transition periods.

5. Effective date

Commencement

The Rules come into effect on the date of publication: 13 March 2026

6. Transitional periods

Registration grace period

• Persons required to be registered under the new framework are given up to 36 months from commencement to apply for appropriate registration.

Transitional authorisation applications

• Applications for transitional authorisation must be made within 6 months of commencement if a person has been performing work outside their registration category.

7. Practical takeaway

In plain language:

• This notice defines who may legally do what engineering work in South Africa
• It strengthens enforcement of registration, competence and scope‑of‑practice rules
• It has immediate legal effect, but gives reasonable transition timelines
• It has significant implications for:
  • Employers
  • Consulting engineers
  • SOEs and municipalities
  • Training institutions
  • Procurement and infrastructure projects

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

An Effective Regulator Assuring Engineering Excellence

Identification of Engineering work Rules

ENGINEERING COUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA

NOTICE IN TERMS OF THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION ACT, 2000 (ACT NO. 46 OF 2000)

The Council for the Built Environment has under section 20(2) of the Council for the Built Environment Act, 2000 (Act No. 43 of 2000), read with The Scope of Work for Categories of Registration for the Professions Regulated by the Engineering Council of South Africa No. 43495 determined by the Council for the Built Environment under section 20(1)(a) of the Council for the Built Environment Act, 2000 (Act No. 43 of 2000),identified the scope of work for the Engineering Council of South Africa set out in the Schedule.

This Identification of Engineering Work Rules replaces the Identification of Work Regulations No. 44333, that we published for comment and gazette on 26 March 2021.

These Rules come into effect upon publication of the gazette.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLES

ABBREVIATIONS

DEFINITIONS

1. Identified Engineering Work

2. Category Differentiation And Engineering Activities

3. Core Competencies Required To Perform Identified Engineering

Work

4. Performance Of Core Service In Practice Area

5. Identified Engineering Work In Aeronautical Engineering

Discipline

6. Identified Engineering Work In Agricultural Engineering

Discipline

7. Identified Engineering Work In Chemical Engineering Discipline

8. Identified Engineering Work In Civil Engineering Discipline

9. Identified Engineering Work In Computer Engineering Discipline

10. Identified Engineering Work In Electrical Engineering Discipline

11. Identified Engineering Work In Industrial Engineering Discipline

12. Identified Engineering Work In Mechanical Engineering Discipline

13. Identified Engineering Work In Mechatronic Engineering Discipline

14. Identified Engineering Work In Metallurgical Engineering

Discipline

15. Identified Engineering Work In Mining Engineering Discipline

16. Identified Engineering Work For Professional Certificated

Engineers

17. Scope Of Services For All Categories

18. Work By Person Who Is Responsible For The Planning, Design And

Delivery Of Education And Training Programmes

19. Employee Of Organ Of State Identified Work

20. Performance Of Identified Work By Person Registered In

Different Category

21. Transitional Authorisation

22. Special Consent

23. Category Adjustment

24. Cross-Disciplinary Practice

25. Dual Registration

26. Appeal

27. Improper Conduct

28. Transitional Provisions

Annexure A

TABLES

Table 1: Competency areas required of a person registered as a professional Engineer,

Professional Engineering Technologist, Certificated Engineer, Professional

Engineering Technician and Specified Category Practitioner to perform the core

services

Table 2: Competency indicators to determine the competency in each competency area

required of a person registered as a Professional Engineer, Professional

Engineering Technologist, Certificated Engineer, Professional Engineering

Technician and Specified Category Practitioner

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Engineering Profession Act: Effective Regulator Assuring Engineering Excellence: Identification of Engineering Work Rules

G 54319 BN 892

13 March 2026

54319-bn892.pdf

ACTION

These apply now, not at some later date.

1. Determine whether you (or your organisation) perform identified engineering work

You must formally assess whether any activities fall within “identified engineering work”, which includes:

• Planning, analysis, design, development
• Construction, manufacture, operation or maintenance
• Management of engineering work
• Approval, sign‑off, supervision, or teaching of exit‑level engineering programmes

Action:

Document a scope‑of‑work assessment for:

• Individual roles
• Job descriptions
• Consulting mandates
• Government / SOE technical posts
• Academic roles (exit‑level engineering)

2. Confirm ECSA registration status against actual work performed

Any person performing identified engineering work must now:

• Be registered in the correct ECSA category, or
• Be working under the direction and supervision of someone correctly registered

Action:

Create or update a registration matrix:

• Person → role → discipline → category → permitted scope
  and verify alignment.

3 Stop unauthorised work immediately

From 13 March 2026:

• Performing identified engineering work outside your registration category, without authorisation, constitutes improper conduct

Action:

Immediately:

• Withdraw sign‑off authority where registration does not match scope
• Escalate gaps to compliance, HR, or governance structures

4. Transitional compliance actions (time‑bound)

4.1 Apply for transitional authorisation (where applicable)

This applies to persons who:

• Are already registered with ECSA, but
• Have historically performed work that now falls outside their registered category

Deadline:

Within 6 months of 13 March 2026→ by 13 September 2026

Action:

Identify affected individuals and:

• Prepare evidence of past practice
• Obtain referees
• Submit applications to ECSA within the 6‑month window

4.2 Apply for special consent (project‑specific or scope‑specific)

Required where a person:

• Is registered, but
• Intends to perform identified work in a different discipline or category for a specific project or scope

Action:

Before work starts:

• Assess whether special consent is required
• Apply to ECSA with project documentation and motivations
• Do not proceed until consent is granted

4.3 Apply for category adjustment (long‑term scope change)

If a person:

• Intends to permanently perform work at another level or category

Action:

Initiate a category adjustment process with ECSA rather than relying on repeated special consents.

5. Medium‑term compliance (up to 36 months)

5.1 Registration of previously unregistered persons

Any person who:

• Is not currently registered, but
• Performs identified engineering work,

must apply for registration.

Deadline:

Within 36 months of commencement → by 13 March 2029

Action:

For each unregistered practitioner:

• Identify correct category and discipline
• Enroll in registration pathway (candidate → professional / specified category)
• Track progress formally

5.2 Academic and training compliance

Anyone responsible for:

• Planning
• Teaching
• Assessing or moderating exit‑level engineering programmes is deemed to perform identified engineering work.

Action:

Higher education institutions must:

• Audit lecturer registration status
• Ensure appropriate ECSA registration
• Address gaps within the 36‑month window

6. Organizational and governance actions 

6.1 Update internal policies and procedures

Action:

Revise:

• HR policies
• Delegations of authority
• Engineering governance frameworks
• Procurement evaluation criteria

to align with:

• Registration categories
• Scope‑of‑practice differentiation
• Sign‑off and accountability rules

6.2 Update procurement and contracting documents

Action:

Ensure that:

• Tenders
• Contractor appointments
• Consulting agreements

require:

• Correct ECSA registration
• Category alignment with scope of work
• Proof prior to appointment

4.3 CPD and ongoing compliance

Action:

Ensure all registered persons:

• Remain compliant with Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Maintain competence in their authorised scope

Loss of registration = loss of authority to perform identified work.

7. Risk and enforcement implications

Failure to comply may result in:

• Disciplinary action by ECSA
• Findings of improper conduct
• Invalid approvals or designs
• Contractual and delictual liability
• Governance and audit findings (especially for organs of state

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

PLANNING PROFESSION ACT:

Proposal for the Determination of Guideline Professional Fees: Comments invited

G 54319 GeN 3822

13 March 2026

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Planning Profession Act: Proposal for the Determination of Guideline Professional Fees: Comments invited

G 54319 GeN 3822

13 March 2026

54319gen3822.pdf

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

ENGINEERING PROFESSION ACT:

Rules: Requirements for Recognition as a Voluntary Association Framework

G 54319 BN 891

13 March 2026

APPLIES TO: 

SUMMARY

1. What the Board Notice is About

Board Notice 891 of 2026 publishes the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA)’s revised “Requirements for Recognition as a Voluntary Association Framework”, issued under section 36 read with section 25 of the Engineering Profession Act, 2000.

In plain terms, the notice:

• Sets out uniform, enforceable criteria that an association must meet to:
• • Be recognised by ECSA as a Voluntary Association (VA); and
  • Maintain that recognition on an ongoing basis.
• Applies to:
• • New applicants seeking VA recognition; and
  • Existing recognised Voluntary Associations when they renew or are audited.
• Clarifies the role of Voluntary Associations in:
• • Promoting registration with ECSA;
  • Supporting Continuing Professional Development (CPD);
  • Supporting the Identification of Engineering Work (IDoEW) regime; and
  • Assisting with professional discipline and public protection.

The framework formalises expectations around governance, membership thresholds, professional registration, CPD, compliance, reporting, and ECSA oversight.

2. Effective Date

• Accordingly, the framework takes effect from the date of publication:
  13 March 2026.

This means it is immediately applicable to:

• All new applications for VA recognition; and
• Any compliance assessments or audits conducted after this date.

3. Is There a Transition Period?

General Position

• No blanket or automatic transition period is provided for existing Voluntary Associations to come into compliance.

Limited Relief Mechanism

A conditional transition window only exists in one specific scenario:

• Where ECSA amends these requirements in the future, and
• An existing recognised VA ceases to comply due to the amendment, then:
• • The VA is given 12 months to comply, and
  • ECSA may grant a once‑off extension of up to 6 additional months (on application and proof of effort).

This relief does not apply simply because the framework is new. Existing VAs are expected to already be substantially aligned or to comply promptly when assessed.

4. Key Structural Elements Introduced or Reinforced

Categories of Voluntary Associations

• Category A: Associations of natural persons (individual engineering practitioners).
• Category B: Associations of juristic persons (companies, firms, corporate entities).

Core Compliance Themes

The framework tightens and formalises requirements relating to:

• Governance
• • Constitution compliance with ECSA rules and South African law.
  • Professional registration status of office bearers.
• Minimum membership thresholds
• • Category A: minimum 100 registered individuals.
  • Category B: minimum 10 corporate members.
• Professional standing
• • Majority of governing body must be ECSA‑registered and in good standing.
• CPD
• • Strong expectation that associations actively promote and support CPD.
• IDoEW enforcement
• • VAs are expected to promote compliance and encourage reporting of unregistered practice.
• Ongoing oversight
• • Audits, information reporting, and inspection powers for ECSA.

5. Practical Takeaway (What This Means in Practice)

For Existing Voluntary Associations

• Immediate compliance risk assessment is essential.
• Associations should:
• • Review governance structures, membership numbers, and office‑bearer registration status.
  • Ensure constitutions and codes of conduct do not conflict with ECSA rules.
  • Actively document CPD promotion, IDoEW advocacy, and registration support.
• ECSA now clearly signals:
• • More regular audits, and
  • Lapsing of recognition if deficiencies are not remedied within set timelines.

For New Associations

• Entry barriers are higher and more structured.
• Recognition is no longer informal or lightly administered:
• • Applications must be comprehensive.
  • ECSA may inspect premises and verify submitted information.

• Recognition is granted for five years, subject to continuous compliance.

Strategic Impact

• VA recognition is increasingly treated as a regulatory partnership, not a symbolic endorsement.
• Being a recognised VA carries:
• • Compliance obligations,
  • Reputational consequences if lapsed, and
  • Tangible benefits (e.g. ECSA fee discounts for members).

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

BOARD NOTICE 891 OF 2026

Rules: Requirements for Recognition as a Voluntary Association Framework

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEFINITIONS

ABBREVIATIONS

1. Introduction

2. Policy Statement

3. Purpose And Scope Of This Policy

4. Applicable Legislative Framework

5. The Role Of Voluntary Associations On The Identification Of Engineering Work

6. Categories Of Voluntary Associations

7. Requirements With Which An Association Must Comply To Qualify

For Recognition As A Voluntary Association

8. Exemptions

9. Application For Recognition

10. Recognition As A Voluntary Association And Duration Of Recognition

11. Renewal And Lapsing Of Recognition

12. Amendment Of The Requirements For Recognition

13. Return Of Recognition Certificate

14. Rights And Obligations Of Council And Voluntary Associations

15. Appeal Process for VA

16. Administration

17. References

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL NOTICE:

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Engineering Profession Act: Rules: Requirements for Recognition as a Voluntary Association Framework

G 54319 BN 891

13 March 2026

54319-bn891.pdf

ACTION

1. Immediate Compliance Actions (Do Now)

1.1 Determine Your Exposure

Action

• Confirm whether your organization is:
  • An existing ECSA‑recognised Voluntary Association, or
  • Applying/intending to apply for recognition.

Why

• The framework is effective immediately (13 March 2026) and ECSA can audit existing VAs without advance transition relief.

2. Governance & Constitutional Compliance (High Risk Area)

2.1 Constitution and Legal Form Review

Action

• Perform a clause‑by‑clause review of your constitution to confirm that it:
  • Does not conflict with:
    • The Engineering Profession Act;
    • ECSA rules and policies;
    • The ECSA Code of Professional Conduct.

• • Clearly reflects legal incorporation status:
    • Common law (universitas), or
    • NPO Act, or
    • Companies Act (NPC).

Deliverable

• Board‑approved constitutional compliance memo confirming alignment.

Risk if ignored

• Recognition can lapse even mid‑cycle.

3. Membership & Registration Thresholds (Critical)

3.1 Validate Membership Numbers

Action

• Confirm minimum statutory thresholds:
• • Category A:
    • Minimum 100 individual members, and
    • Office bearers registered with ECSA.

• • Category B:
    • Minimum 10 corporate members in good standing.

3.2 Verify “Good Standing”

Action

• Confirm for:
• • Governing body members:
    • ECSA registration active;
    • Annual ECSA fees paid;
    • CPD compliant;
    • No disciplinary sanctions.

• Maintain a live compliance register.

Deliverable

• Updated membership database with:
  • Names;
  • ECSA registration numbers;
  • Standing confirmation.

4. Governing Body Composition

4.1 Majority Rule Compliance

Action

• Ensure that more than 50% of the governing body are:
  • ECSA‑registered professionals;
  • In good standing.

If not compliant

• Start a governance reconstitution plan immediately (resignations, elections, co‑options).

5. CPD & Professional Development

5.1 CPD Promotion Obligations

Action

• Confirm the association can demonstrate that it:
  • Actively promotes CPD;
  • Encourages members to maintain ECSA registration.

5.2 CPD Licensing (Strongly Expected)

Action

• Assess whether the association should:
  • Apply for ECSA CPD Licensed Body status, or
  • Formally partner with an existing licensed body.

Evidence to keep

• CPD calendars, attendance records, communications to members.

6. Identification of Engineering Work (IDoEW)

6.1 IDoEW Advocacy

Action

• Ensure the association can prove it:
  • Promotes compliance with IDoEW regulations;
  • Educates members on registration‑only work;
  • Encourages the reporting of unregistered practice.

Practical step

• Issue a member circular or guidance note on IDoEW obligations.

7. Reporting & ECSA Readiness

7.1 Audit Readiness Pack

Action Prepare a standing ECSA Audit File containing:

• Current constitution and by‑laws;
• Latest AGM minutes;
• Membership profile with ECSA registration numbers;
• Governing body details;
• Proof of CPD activities;
• Written commitment to promote ECSA registration.

7.2 Change Notification Process

Action

• Implement a policy ensuring ECSA is notified within 60 days of:
  • Constitutional amendments;
  • Governance changes.

8. Recognition Lifecycle Management

8.1 Five‑Year Recognition Tracking

Action

• Confirm:
  • Your recognition expiry date;
  • Your 30‑month pre‑expiry reporting deadline.

8.2 Renewal Planning

Action

• Treat renewal as a full re‑verification, not a rubber stamp.
• Begin internal compliance reviews at least 18–24 months before expiry.

9. Internal Accountability (Strong Recommendation)

9.1 Assign Responsibility

Action

• Formally assign:
  • A Compliance Officer or Committee responsible for ECSA VA compliance.

9.2 Board Oversight

Action

• Table VA compliance as a standing board agenda item.

10. Practical Bottom Line

Right now, compliance means:

• Assume you may be audited tomorrow.
• Close governance, registration, and membership gaps immediately.
• Evidence matters more than intent.
• Failure to comply risks recognition lapsing, reputational damage, and loss of member benefits.

COMPETITION

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

COMPETITION ACT:

Approved mergers

G 54319 GeN 3823

13 March 2026

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Competition Act: Approved mergers

G 54319 GeN 3823

13 March 2026

54319gen3823.pdf

CUSTOMS, EXCISE AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION ACT:

Sunset review of anti-dumping duties on clear float glass originating in or imported from China and India

G 54353 GeN 3832

19 March 2026

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

International Trade Administration Act: Sunset review of anti-dumping duties on clear float glass originating in or imported from China and India

G 54353 GeN 3832

19 March 2026

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

CUSTOMS AND EXCISE ACT:

Amendment to Part 1 of Schedule No. 2 (No. 2/1/88)

G 54351 RG 11956 GoN 7243

19 March 2026

APPLIES TO: 

The measures apply to any importer bringing specified hot‑rolled flat steel products into South Africa where the goods originate from China, Japan, or Taiwan, regardless of who sells them, unless the importer can prove eligibility for a lower producer‑specific rate.

SUMMARY

Amends Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Customs and Excise Act by introducing anti‑dumping duties on a wide range of flat‑rolled steel products imported into South Africa.

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL NOTICE:

CUSTOMS AND EXCISE ACT: Amendment to Part 1 of Schedule No. 2 (No. 2/1/88)

G 54351 RG 11956 GoN 7243 19 March 2026

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Customs and Excise Act: Amendment to Part 1 of Schedule No. 2 (No. 2/1/88) (English / Afrikaans)

G 54351 RG 11956 GoN 7243

19 March 2026

54351rg11956gon7243.pdf

ACTION

Compliance is exporter‑specific, product‑specific, and document‑driven.

If you import covered steel from China, Japan, or Taiwan, you must be able to prove what it is, where it was made, and who made it — or SARS will apply the highest anti‑dumping duty by default.

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION ACT:

Application for increase in rate of Customs Duty on newsprints: Comments invited

G 54353 GeN 3831

– Comment by 16 Apr 2026

19 March 2026

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND COMPETITION

NOTICE 3831 OF 2026

INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA

APPLICATION FOR AN INCREASE IN THE RATE OF CUSTOMS DUTY ON NEWSPRINTS, IN ROLLS OR SHEETS, CLASSIFIABLE IN TARIFF SUBHEADING 4801.00, FROM FREE OF DUTY TO 5% AD VALOREM DUTY. APPLICANT: SAPPI SOUTHERN AFRICA LIMITED

108 Oxford Road

Rosebank

Johannesburg

2198

As motivation for the application, the Applicant submitted, inter alia, that:

• Globally, the newsprint market has been in prolonged decline, driven primarily by digital migration, which has reduced demand for paper publications. Despite this trend, newsprint remains an important medium in developing countries such as South Africa, where electronic connectivity is not universal.
• With global overcapacity and increasing low-priced imports, Sappi’s Ngodwana Mill (PM2 machine) has faced persistent financial losses. Without the requested tariff intervention, the continued viability of South African newsprint manufacturing is at significant risk.
• Protection against low-priced imported newsprint is critical to maintain at Sappi’s Ngodwana Mill (PM2 machine) operations, safeguard associated employment and support the national economy. Sappi’s Ngodwana Mill (PM2 machine) is the only operational newsprint facility in South Africa and the SACU region.
• Therefore, this application seeks to ensure the long-term viability of newsprint manufacturing at Sappi’s Ngodwana Mill (PM2 machine), while allowing the company to expand into alternative packaging products.

ITAC Ref: 11/2025 Enquiries: Mr. Joseph Mawasha at jmawasha@itac.org.za , Mr Scelo Mshengu at smshengu@itac.org.za and Mr Sipho Tshabalala at stshabalala@itac.org.za.

PUBLICATION PERIOD:

Representation should be submitted to the above ITAC officials within four (4) weeks of the date of this notice.

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

International Trade Administration Act: Application for increase in rate of Customs Duty on newsprints: Comments invited

G 54353 GeN 3831

– Comment by 16 Apr 2026

19 March 2026

54353gen3831.pdf

ACTION

Ensure that you submit your comments before 16 April 2026.

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

CUSTOMS AND EXCISE ACT:

Amendment to Part 1 of Schedule No. 2 (No. 2/1/87)

G 54351 RG 11956 GoN 7244

19 March 2026

SUMMARY

The amendment inserts new anti‑dumping duties into Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the Customs and Excise Act. These duties apply to certain steel sections and shapes imported into South Africa.

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Customs and Excise Act: Amendment to Part 1 of Schedule No. 2 (No. 2/1/87) (English / Afrikaans)

G 54351 RG 11956 GoN 7244

19 March 2026

54351reg11956gon7244.pdf

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION ACT:

Conclusion of investigation into alleged dumping of structural steel from China and Thailand

G 54339 GeN 3828

18 March 2026

SUMMARY

This notice announces the final conclusion of an anti‑dumping investigation into imports of certain steel sections and angles originating in or imported from:

• The People’s Republic of China (PRC)
• The Kingdom of Thailand

The investigation assessed whether these products were being dumped into the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) market and causing harm to the local industry.

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND COMPETITION

NOTICE 3828 OF 2026

INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION COMMISSION

NOTICE OF THE CONCLUSION OF AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ALLEGED DUMPING OF U-SECTIONS, I-SECTIONS, AND H-SECTIONS OF IRON OR NONALLOY STEEL, NOT FURTHER WORKED THAN HOT-ROLLED, HOT-DRAWN, OR EXTRUDED, OF A HEIGHT OF 80 MM OR MORE (EXCLUDING H-SECTIONS OF A HEIGHT GREATER THAN 200 MM) AND EQUAL ANGLES OF IRON OR NON-ALLOY STEEL, NOT FURTHER WORKED THAN HOT-ROLLED, HOT-DRAWN, OR EXTRUDED ORIGINATING IN OR IMPORTED FROM THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND

The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (“the Commission”) initiated an anti-dumping investigation on U-sections, I-sections, and H-sections of iron or non-alloy steel, not further worked than hot-rolled, hot-drawn, or extruded, of a height or 80 mm or more (excluding H-sections of a height greater than 200 mm) and equal angles of iron or non-alloy steel, not further worked than hot-rolled, hot-drawn, or extruded (“subject product”), originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) and the Kingdom of Thailand (“Thailand”), through Notice No. 2732 of 2024, which was published in Government Gazette No. 51271 on 20 September 2024.

The investigation was initiated after the Commission considered that there was prima facie evidence indicating that the subject product was being imported into the Southern African Customs Union (“SACU”) at dumped prices. Thus causing material injury to the SACU industry.

On 12 November 2024, the Commission made a preliminary determination to impose provisional payments as contained in Report No. 737, published through Notice R.5601 in the Government Gazette No. 51693 dated 29 November 2024.

After considering comments to essential facts letters, the Commission made a final after essential facts determination that the subject product originating in or imported from the PRC and Thailand was imported into the SACU market at dumped prices, thereby causing material injury to SACU industry.

After considering all responses and comments received from the interested parties, the Commission issued essential facts letters indicating that it was considering making a final determination that the subject product was being dumped into the SACU market, causing material injury to the SACU industry.

After considering comments on the essential facts letters, the Commission made a final determination that the subject product originating in or imported from the PRC and Thailand was being imported into the SACU market at dumped prices, thereby causing material injury and that there is a causal link between the dumping of the subject product and the material injury suffered by the SACU industry.

Therefore, the Commission made a recommendation to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (“the Minister”):

• To impose definitive anti-dumping duties on the subject product originating in or imported from the PRC and Thailand.
• That definitive anti-dumping duties be imposed on the subject product produced by all the producers in the PRC and Thailand as per table 8.3 of Report No. 759.
• To recommend anti-dumping duties on the subject product be listed on the “rebate item” column in Schedule No.2 to the Customs and Excise Act and therefore may not be imported under rebate of custom duty without payment of anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguards duties without recommendation from the Commission.

The Minister approved the Commission’s recommendation.

The five (5) year period for which the anti-dumping duties may remain in place, unless a sunset review is initiated, will be calculated from the publication date of the notice imposing such duties.

Enquiries may be directed to the investigating officers, Mr. Pfananani Muumba at email address: rmuumba@itac.org.za, Ms. Makungu Millicent Baloyi at email address: mbaloyi@itac.org.za.

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

International Trade Administration Act: Conclusion of investigation into alleged dumping of structural steel from China and Thailand

G 54339 GeN 3828

18 March 2026

54339gon3828.pdf

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION ACT:

Conclusion of investigation into alleged dumping of certain hot rolled products from China, Japan and Taiwan

G 54339 GeN 3827

18 March 2026

SUMMARY

This notice announces the final conclusion of an anti‑dumping investigation into the importation of certain flat‑rolled steel products into the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

ITAC investigated whether these products were being dumped at unfairly low prices and whether this caused material injury to the SACU steel industry.

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND COMPETITION

NOTICE 3827 OF 2026

INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION COMMISSION

NOTICE OF THE CONCLUSION OF AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ALLEGED DUMPING OF CERTAIN FLAT-ROLLED PRODUCTS OF IRON, NON-ALLOY OR OTHER ALLOY STEEL OF A WIDTH OF 600 MM OR MORE, WHETHER OR NOT IN COILS (INCLUDING PRODUCTS CUT-TO-LENGTH), NOT FURTHER WORKED THAN HOT-ROLLED, INCLUDING PICKLED AND OILED, HOT-ROLLED, NOT CLAD, PLATED OR COATED, (EXCLUDING STAINLESS AND GRAIN-ORIENTED SILICON ELECTRICAL STEEL), CLASSIFIABLE UNDER TARIFF SUB-HEADINGS 7208.10, 7208.25, 7208.26, 7208.27, 7208.36, 7208.37, 7208.38, 7208.39, 7208.51, 7208.52, 7225.30 AND 7225.40, ORIGINATING IN OR IMPORTED FROM THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, JAPAN AND TAIWAN

The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (“the Commission”) initiated an investigation into the alleged dumping of certain flat-rolled products of iron, nonalloy or other alloy steel of a width of 600 mm or more, whether or not in coils (including products cut-to-length), not further worked than hot-rolled, including pickled and oiled, hotrolled, not clad, plated or coated, (excluding stainless and grain-oriented silicon electrical steel), classifiable under tariff sub-headings 7208.10, 7208.25, 7208.26, 7208.27, 7208.36, 7208.37, 7208.38, 7208.39, 7208.51, 7208.52, 7225.30 and 7225.40 (“subject product”), originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), Japan and Taiwan through Notice No. 2730 of 2024, which was published in Government Gazette No. 51271 on 20 September 2024.

The investigation was initiated after the Commission considered that there was prima facie evidence indicating that certain flat-rolled products of iron, non-alloy or other alloy steel of a width of 600mm or more, whether or not in coils, not further worked than hot-rolled, including pickled and oiled, hot-rolled, not clad, plated or coated, (excluding stainless and grain-oriented silicon electrical steel) were being imported into SACU at dumped prices.

Thus causing material injury to the SACU industry.

On 28 January 2025, the Commission made a preliminary determination contained in Report No. 743, not to impose provisional payments, and this was published through Notice No. 3008 of 2025 in Government Gazette No.52143 dated 19 February 2025.

The preliminary report was sent to all interested parties on 19 February 2025.

After considering all responses and comments received from the interested parties, the Commission issued essential facts letters indicating that it was considering making a final determination that the subject product was being dumped into the SACU market, causing material injury to the SACU industry.

After considering comments on the essential facts letter, the Commission made a final determination that the subject product originating in or imported from the PRC, Japan and Taiwan was being imported into the SACU market at dumped prices, thereby causing material injury and that there is a causal link between the dumping of the subject product and the material injury suffered by the SACU industry.

Therefore, the Commission made a recommendation to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (“the Minister”):

• To impose definitive anti-dumping duties on the subject product originating in or imported from the PRC, Japan and Taiwan;
• That definitive anti-dumping duties be imposed on the subject product produced by all the producers in the PRC, Japan and Taiwan as per tables 9.3 (a, b and c) of Report No. 767;
• To recommend anti-dumping duties on the subject product be listed on the “rebate item” column in Schedule No. 2 to the Customs and Excise Act and therefore may not be imported under rebate of customs duty without payment of anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard duties without a recommendation from the Commission.

The Minister approved the Commission’s recommendation.

The five (5) year period for which the anti-dumping duties may stay in place, unless a sunset review is initiated, will be calculated from the publication date of the notice imposing such duties.

Enquiries may be directed to the investigating officers, Mr. Siphumelele Edwin Mkwanazi at email address: emkwanazi@itac.org.za, Ms. Portia Chuma at email address: pchuma@itac.org.za, Ms. Phindile Mabona at email address: pmabona@itac.org.za or Ms.

Azwitamisi Mathada at email address: amathada@itac.org.za.

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND COMPETITION

NOTICE 3828 OF 2026

INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION COMMISSION

NOTICE OF THE CONCLUSION OF AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ALLEGED DUMPING OF U-SECTIONS, I-SECTIONS, AND H-SECTIONS OF IRON OR NONALLOY STEEL, NOT FURTHER WORKED THAN HOT-ROLLED, HOT-DRAWN, OR EXTRUDED, OF A HEIGHT OF 80 MM OR MORE (EXCLUDING H-SECTIONS OF A HEIGHT GREATER THAN 200 MM) AND EQUAL ANGLES OF IRON OR NON-ALLOY STEEL, NOT FURTHER WORKED THAN HOT-ROLLED, HOT-DRAWN, OR EXTRUDED ORIGINATING IN OR IMPORTED FROM THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND

The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (“the Commission”) initiated an anti-dumping investigation on U-sections, I-sections, and H-sections of iron or non-alloy steel, not further worked than hot-rolled, hot-drawn, or extruded, of a height or 80 mm or more (excluding H-sections of a height greater than 200 mm) and equal angles of iron or non-alloy steel, not further worked than hot-rolled, hot-drawn, or extruded (“subject product”), originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) and the Kingdom of Thailand (“Thailand”), through Notice No. 2732 of 2024, which was published in Government Gazette No. 51271 on 20 September 2024.

The investigation was initiated after the Commission considered that there was prima facie evidence indicating that the subject product was being imported into the Southern African Customs Union (“SACU”) at dumped prices. Thus causing material injury to the SACU industry.

On 12 November 2024, the Commission made a preliminary determination to impose provisional payments as contained in Report No. 737, published through Notice R.5601 in the Government Gazette No. 51693 dated 29 November 2024.

After considering comments to essential facts letters, the Commission made a final after essential facts determination that the subject product originating in or imported from the PRC and Thailand was imported into the SACU market at dumped prices, thereby causing material injury to SACU industry.

After considering all responses and comments received from the interested parties, the Commission issued essential facts letters indicating that it was considering making a final determination that the subject product was being dumped into the SACU market, causing material injury to the SACU industry.

After considering comments on the essential facts letters, the Commission made a final determination that the subject product originating in or imported from the PRC and Thailand was being imported into the SACU market at dumped prices, thereby causing material injury and that there is a causal link between the dumping of the subject product and the material injury suffered by the SACU industry.

Therefore, the Commission made a recommendation to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (“the Minister”):

• To impose definitive anti-dumping duties on the subject product originating in or imported from the PRC and Thailand.
• That definitive anti-dumping duties be imposed on the subject product produced by all the producers in the PRC and Thailand as per table 8.3 of Report No. 759.
• To recommend anti-dumping duties on the subject product be listed on the “rebate item” column in Schedule No.2 to the Customs and Excise Act and therefore may not be imported under rebate of custom duty without payment of anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguards duties without recommendation from the Commission.

The Minister approved the Commission’s recommendation.

The five (5) year period for which the anti-dumping duties may remain in place, unless a sunset review is initiated, will be calculated from the publication date of the notice imposing such duties.

Enquiries may be directed to the investigating officers, Mr. Pfananani Muumba at email address: rmuumba@itac.org.za, Ms. Makungu Millicent Baloyi at email address: mbaloyi@itac.org.za.

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

International Trade Administration Act: Conclusion of investigation into alleged dumping of certain hot rolled products from China, Japan and Taiwan

G 54339 GeN 3827

18 March 2026

54339gen3827.pdf

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION ACT:

Regulations: Safeguard: Amendments: Comments invited

G 54319 GoN 7231

– Comment by 10 Apr 2026

13 March 2026

APPLIES TO: 

• Paper manufacturers
• Flooring manufacturing
• Agricultural companies
• Industrial equipment manufacturing
• Mining

SUMMARY

The notice invites public comment on proposed amendments to South Africa’s Amended Safeguard Regulations.

These amendments update both substantive rules and procedural processes governing safeguard investigations and measures.

Stakeholders have four weeks from publication (13 March 2026) to submit written comments to ITAC

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND COMPETITION

NO. 7231 13 March 2026

INVITATION FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE AMENDED SAFEGUARD REGULATIONS

I, Mpho Parks Tau, MP, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, in terms of section 59 of the International Trade Administration Act, 2002 (Act No. 71 of 2002), hereby publish for public comment proposed amendments to the Amended Safeguard Regulations

The proposed amendments address substantive and procedural aspects of safeguard investigations. Substantively, the revised regulations strengthen the decision-making framework of the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa by including provisions on public-interest hearings, clarifying the treatment of developing-country exemptions and providing a more detailed framework for assessing “unforeseen developments”. The amendments also reinforce requirements relating to adjustment plans and establish clearer rules for mid-term reviews and the extension of safeguard measures.

Procedurally, the amendments align confidentiality provisions with those in other trade-remedy regulations, and organisational updates, such as the inclusion of section headings, were included to improve usability for stakeholders participating in safeguard investigations.

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the proposed amendments, which must be submitted within four (4) weeks of the date of publication of this notice in the Government Gazette.

Written comments must be submitted by e-mail, clearly marked “Comments on Proposed Amendments to the Amended Safeguard Regulations” in the subject line and addressed to:

Mr Alexander Amrein

Senior Manager: Policy and Research

International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa

E-mail: aamrein@itac.org.za

The proposed amendments to the Amended Safeguard Regulations are published together with this notice and may also be obtained electronically upon request at the e-mail address provided above.

___________________

MR M. PARKS TAU, MP

MINISTER OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND COMPETITION

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA

AMENDED SAFEGUARD REGULATIONS 2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part A – Preamble

Part B – General Provisions

1. Application of regulations

2. Definitions

3. Confidentiality

4. Investigations

5. Oral hearings

6. Consultations

Part C – Procedures

Sub-Part I – General

7. SACU industry

8. Serious injury

9. Threat of serious injury

10. Causality

11. Verification

Sub-Part II – Pre-Initiation and Initiation Procedures

12. Properly documented application

13. Serious injury standard for initiation purposes

14. Merit assessment

15. Initiation and notification

Sub-Part III – Preliminary Investigation Phase

16. Responses by interested parties

17. Non-cooperation

18. Provisional measures

19. Preliminary report

Sub-Part IV – Final Investigation Phase

20. Comments on preliminary report

21. Public interest hearing

22. Public interest determinations

23. Final determination

24. Definitive safeguard measures

Sub-Part V – Special Safeguard

25. Special safeguard duty

Part D – Final Provisions

26. Transitional application

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL REGULATION

NTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION ACT: REGULATIONS: SAFEGUARD: AMENDMENTS: COMMENTS INVITED

G 54319 GON 7231 – COMMENT BY 10 APR 2026 13 MARCH 2026

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

International Trade Administration Act: Regulations: Safeguard: Amendments: Comments invited

G 54319 GoN 7231

– Comment by 10 Apr 2026

13 March 2026

54319gon7231.pdf

ACTION

Ensure that you submit your comments before 10 April 2026

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

CUSTOMS AND EXCISE ACT:

Amendment to Part 2 of Schedule No. 4 (No. 4/2/409)

G 54318 RG 11954 GoN 7219

13 March 2026

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL NOTICE:

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Customs and Excise Act: Amendment to Part 2 of Schedule No. 4 (No. 4/2/409) (English / Afrikaans)

G 54318 RG 11954 GoN 7219

13 March 2026

54318rg11954gon7219.pdf

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION ACT:

Regulations: Anti-Dumping: Amendment: Comments invited

G 54319 GoN 7232

– Comment by 10 Apr 2026

13 March 2026

APPLIES TO: 

•        Paper manufacture

•        Flooring manufacturing

•        Agricultural companies

•        Industrial equipment manufacturing

•        Mining

SUMMARY

The notice invites public comment on proposed amendments to South Africa’s Anti‑Dumping Regulations.

It does not impose any duties or trade measures itself, but proposes changes to how future anti‑dumping investigations, reviews and enforcement actions will be conducted.

Stakeholders have four (4) weeks from 13 March 2026 to submit written comments to ITAC.

Main purpose of the amendments

The proposed amendments aim to:

• Strengthen ITAC’s investigative powers
• Improve enforcement against circumvention of anti‑dumping duties
• Clarify methodologies used to determine dumping, injury, and normal value
• Enhance transparency and procedural certainty for all participants
• Align South Africa’s anti‑dumping framework more closely with WTO rules

Key substantive changes proposed

1. Expanded authority for ITAC

• ITAC is explicitly empowered to self‑initiate investigations and reviews
• Surveillance investigations may be used to monitor import trends before formal action

2. Stronger anti‑circumvention rules

The amendments significantly expand ITAC’s ability to address duty avoidance, including:

• Product modification
• Misclassification or incorrect origin declarations
• Trans‑shipment through third countries
• Assembly or minimal processing to avoid duties
• “Country hopping”
• Absorption of anti‑dumping duties by exporters or importers

ITAC may recommend extending existing anti‑dumping duties to cover these practices.

3. Clearer rules for distorted markets

When domestic prices in the exporting country are unreliable, ITAC may:

• Construct normal value using alternative data
• Consider government intervention, distorted input prices, or abnormal market conditions

4. Enhanced injury and causality analysis

The amendments refine how ITAC assesses:

• Material injury and threat of material injury
• Price undercutting, suppression and depression
• The causal link between dumping and injury
• Factors other than dumping that may have caused injury

5. Public‑interest considerations strengthened

ITAC may formally assess whether imposing, amending or continuing anti‑dumping duties is in the public interest, including:

• Impact on downstream industries
• Consumer access and pricing
• Competition, health, safety, and environmental effects

Procedural improvements

Reviews clarified and expanded

The amendments provide clearer procedures for:

• Interim reviews
• Sunset reviews (expiry of duties after 5 years)
• New shipper reviews
• Anti‑circumvention reviews
• Scope reviews (clarifying whether a product falls under an existing duty)

Confidentiality and cooperation tightened

• Stricter requirements for confidential submissions
• Improved rules for non‑confidential summaries
• Clear consequences for non‑cooperation, including use of “facts available” and residual duties

Predictable timelines

• Anti‑dumping investigations and reviews must generally be completed within 18 months
• Anti‑circumvention reviews may be completed within 6–9 months

When the amendments would apply

• Only to investigations and reviews initiated after promulgation
• Existing cases are not retroactively affected

Who should be concerned

• SACU manufacturers seeking protection against dumped imports
• Importers, exporters, and foreign producers of traded goods
• Downstream users and industry associations
• Trade lawyers, customs specialists, and compliance teams
• Foreign governments engaged in exports to SACU

Bottom‑line takeaway

The notice proposes a comprehensive overhaul of South Africa’s anti‑dumping regulations, strengthening ITAC’s enforcement powers, tightening anti‑circumvention rules, and increasing transparency and public‑interest scrutiny—without imposing any immediate duties or restrictions.

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND COMPETITION

NO. 7232 13 March 2026

INVITATION FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ANTI-DUMPING REGULATIONS

I, Mpho Parks Tau, MP, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, in terms of section 59 of the International Trade Administration Act, 2002 (Act No. 71 of 2002), hereby publish for public comment proposed amendments to the Anti-Dumping Regulations.

The proposed amendments address substantive and procedural aspects of the existing regulatory framework. Substantively, the proposed amendments clarify the Commission’s authority to selfinitiate

investigations, strengthen disciplines related to circumvention, and provide mechanisms for addressing distorted market conditions when determining normal value. The amendments also refine the approach to incomplete questionnaire responses at the preliminary stage of an investigation, reinforce the framework for injury analysis and expand provisions governing price undertakings and public-interest assessments.

Procedurally, the proposed amendments provide clearer standards governing reviews, including anti-circumvention, sunset, interim and new shipper reviews. The revisions also clarify provisions relating to the treatment of confidential information.

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the proposed amendments which must be submitted within four (4) weeks of the date of publication of this notice in the Government Gazette.

Written comments must be submitted by e-mail, clearly marked “Comments on Proposed Amendments to the Anti-Dumping Regulations” in the subject line and addressed to:

Mr Alexander Amrein

Senior Manager: Policy and Research

International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa

E-mail: aamrein@itac.org.za

The proposed amendments to the Anti-Dumping Regulations are published together with this notice and may also be obtained electronically upon request at the e-mail address provided above.

____________________

MR M. PARKS TAU, MP

MINISTER OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND COMPETITION

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA AMENDED ANTI-DUMPING REGULATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part A – Definitions

1. Definitions

Part B – General Provisions

2. Confidentiality

3. Investigations

4. Cumulation

5. Representation

6. Oral hearings

7. Adverse party meetings

8. Computation of periods of time

9. Additional information

Part C – Procedures

Sub-Part I – General

10. SACU industry

11. Normal value

12. Related foreign market producers and resellers

13. Export price

14. Constructed export price

15. Comparison of normal value and export price

16. Margin of dumping

17. Material injury

18. Threat of material injury

19. Material retardation of the establishment of an industry

20. Causality

21. Lesser duty rule

22. Verifications and non-cooperation

23. Verification reports

24. Deadlines

Sub-Part II – Pre-Initiation and Initiation Procedures

25. Applications

26. Properly documented application

27. Normal value standard for initiation purposes

28. Export price standard for initiation purposes

29. Material injury standard for initiation purposes

30. SACU industry verification

31. Merit assessment

32. Notification

33. Initiation

Sub-Part III – Preliminary Investigation Phase

34. Responses by interested parties

35. Extensions for submissions

36. Deficiencies

37. Provisional measures

38. Preliminary report

Sub-Part IV – Final Investigation Phase

39. Comments on preliminary report

40. Essential facts

41. Definitive anti-dumping duties

42. Price undertakings

43. Final report or notice

44. Public interest

Part D – Reviews

Sub-Part I – General

45. Notification

46. Initiation

47. Responses by interested parties

48. Essential facts

Sub-Part II – Interim Review

49. Purpose and time frame

50. Initiation standard

51. Changed circumstances

52. Review procedure

53. Final recommendation

Sub-Part III – New Shipper Reviews

54. Purpose and eligibility

55. Information required

56. Suspension of anti-dumping duties

57. Review procedure

58. Final recommendation

Sub-Part IV – Sunset Reviews

59. Purpose

60. Duration of anti-dumping duties

61. Initiation of sunset review

62. Notification

63. Participation of foreign producers or exporters in sunset reviews

64. Likelihood of continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury

65. Review procedure

66. Information required

67. Non-cooperation

68. Final recommendation

Sub-Part V – Anti-Circumvention Reviews

69. Circumvention

70. Information required

71. Review procedure

72. Final recommendation

Sub-Part VI – Scope Reviews

73. Purpose

74. Initiation

75. Review procedure

76. Final determination

Part E – Judicial Reviews

77. Judicial reviews

Part F – Refunds

78. Applications for refunds

79. Refunds following reviews

Part G – Final Provisions

80. Delegation

81. Transitional application

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL NOTICE:

INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION ACT: REGULATIONS: ANTI-DUMPING: AMENDMENT: COMMENTS INVITED

G 54319 GON 7232 – COMMENT BY 10 APR 2026 13 MARCH 2026

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

International Trade Administration Act: Regulations: Anti-Dumping: Amendment: Comments invited

G 54319 GoN 7232

– Comment by 10 Apr 2026

13 March 2026

54319gon7232.pdf

ACTION

Ensure that you submit your comments before 10 April 2026.

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS ACT:

Increase of administrative fees in relation to type approval; service licences; and Regulations: Radio Frequency Spectrum Licence Fee: Amendment

G 54379 GeN 3843

20 March 2026

APPLIES TO: 

• Manufacturing groups – if importing or selling RF‑enabled equipment
• Utilities / energy companies – if using licensed radio systems
• Mining companies – if operating licensed communications/spectrum systems
• Aviation companies – if holding spectrum or communications licences

If an organisation pays fees to ICASA today, this notice applies.

If it does not interact with ICASA licences, type approvals, spectrum, or postal registration, it does not.

SUMMARY

Announces a 3.2% CPI‑linked increase, effective 1 April 2026, in:

1. Type Approval administrative fees
2. Electronic Communications & Broadcasting Service Licence fees
3. Radio Frequency Spectrum Licence fees
4. Unreserved Postal Service registration, renewal and annual fees

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

INDEPENDENT COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

NOTICE 3843 OF 2026

GENERAL NOTICE

INDEPENDENT COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY OF SOUTH AFRICA ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS ACT, 2005 (ACT NO.36 OF 2005) ADMINISTRATIVE FEES

NOTICE REGARDING THE INCREASE OF ADMINISTRATIVE FEES IN RELATION TO TYPE APPROVAL

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (“Authority”) hereby issues a notice to increase administrative fees associated with type approval in line with regulation 10(3) of the Type Approval Regulation (“regulations”) as published in Government Gazette No: 36785 of 2013.

Effective from 1 April 2026, all administrative fees associated with Type Approval will be increased by 3.2% based on the average Consumer Price Index (CPI). The attached Annexure A contains the revised Type Approval fees.

_________________________

MOTHIBI G. RAMUSI

CHAIRPERSON

19 March 2026

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS ACT, 2005 (ACT NO.36 OF 2005)

ADMINISTRATIVE FEES

NOTICE REGARDING THE INCREASE OF ADMINISTRATIVE FEES IN RELATION TO SERVICE LICENCES

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (“the Authority”) hereby issues a notice to increase administrative fees associated with applications and registrations of Service Licences in line with regulation 3(2)(b) of the General Licence Fees Regulations as published in Government Gazette No. 299 of 2013. Effective from 1 April 2026, all administrative fees associated with applications and registrations relating to Service Licences will be increased by 3.2% based on the average Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Schedule 1 contains the administrative fees relating to Service licences and will be effective from 1 April 2026.

___________________________

MOTHIBI G. RAMUSI

CHAIRPERSON

19/03/2026

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS ACT, 2005 (NO.36 OF 2005)

NOTICE IN TERMS OF REGULATION 9A OF RADIO FREQUENCY SPECTRUM LICENCE FEE AMENDMENT REGULATIONS

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa hereby issues a notice for the increase of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Licence Fees in line with the regulation 9A of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Licence Fee Amendment Regulations, 2015, as published in the Government Gazette No. 38642 of 2015.

Effective from 1 April 2026, all annual radio frequency spectrum licence fees will be increased by 3.2% based on the average Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Annexure “A” contains the radio frequency spectrum licence fees that will be effective from 1 April 2026.

_________________________

MOTHIBI RAMUSI

CHAIRPERSON

19 March 2026

ANNEXURE A

(a) The Unit Price per MHz paired is R 3, 263.00 (Three Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty-Three Rand) plus 3.2% CPI = R 3, 367.00 (Three Thousand Three Hundred and Sixty-Seven Rand).

(b) The Minimum Fee is R 196.00 (One Hundred and Ninety-Six Rand) plus 3.2% CPI = R 202.00 (Two Hundred and Two Rand).

(c) The Minimum Fee for a Satellite Hub Station is R 81,558.00 (Eighty-One Thousand Five Hundred and Fifty-Eight Rand) plus 3.2% CPI = R 84, 167.00 (Eighty-Four Thousand One Hundred and Sixty-Eight Rand).

(d) The GEO areas are:

• High density – includes Gauteng Province and the municipal areas of Cape Town and Durban.
• Low density – includes all parts of South Africa that do not fall under high density.

POSTAL SERVICE ACT, 1998 (ACT NO.124 OF 1998)

ADMINISTRATIVE FEES

NOTICE REGARDING THE FEES INCREASE IN RELATION TO UNRESERVED POSTAL SERVICE REGULATIONS, 2020

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (“the Authority”) hereby issues a notice to increase the fees associated with registration, renewal and annual fee in line with regulation 10(1) and (3) of the Unreserved Postal Services Regulations as published in Government Notice No. 381, Government Gazette No. 43415 of 27 March 2020.

Effective from the 1st of April 2026, all registration, renewal and annual fees relating to Unreserved Postal Services will be increased by 3.2% based on the average Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Schedule 1 contains the fees relating to Unreserved Postal Services and will be effective from 1 April 2026.

___________________________

MOTHIBI G. RAMUSI

CHAIRPERSON

19/03/2026

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL NOTICE:

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Electronic Communications Act: Increase of administrative fees in relation to type approval; service licences; and Regulations: Radio Frequency Spectrum Licence Fee: Amendment

G 54379 GeN 3843

20 March 2026

54379gen3843.pdf

ACTION

Ensure that you take note of the amended fees.

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS ACT:

Policy direction on network deployment: Comments invited

G 54314 GoN 7216

– Comment by 12 Apr 2026

12 March 2026

APPLIES TO: 

If an organisation builds, operates, or regulates electronic communications networks—or controls land needed for those networks—the notice applies.

If it does not, the notice does not apply.

SUMMARY

A draft policy direction issued by the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies under the Electronic Communications Act, 2005.

It is aimed at:

• Accelerating the rollout of broadband and electronic communications networks
• Improving access to public and private land for network deployment
• Reducing delays in wayleaves, permits, and approvals
• Strengthening facilities leasing, open access, and infrastructure sharing
• Supporting rapid deployment regulations to be developed by ICASA

It is not a general business regulation and does not regulate commerce, manufacturing, or services in general.

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

NO. 7216 12 March 2026

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS ACT, 2005 (ACT NO. 36 OF 2005)

DRAFT POLICY DIRECTION ON MATTERS RELEVANT TO ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK DEPLOYMENT PURSUANT TO THE NATIONAL POLICY ON RAPID DEPLOYMENT OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS AND FACILITIES, 2023

1.1 The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies (“the Minister”) intends to issue a policy direction in terms of section 3 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2005 (Act No. 36 of 2005) (“the Act”) as set out in the Schedule.

1.2 The objectives of this draft policy direction are to give effect to existing national and sector policy pertaining to access required to and use of land, both public and private, to facilitate the rollout of nationwide affordable high-speed broadband networks. The draft policy direction

requests the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (“the Authority”) to consider amendments to the Facilities Leasing Regulations, 2010, and to develop Rapid Deployment

Regulations for this purpose.

1.3 Interested persons are invited to provide written comments on the draft policy direction within 30 calendar days of the date of publication, addressed to –

The Director-General, Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

For attention: Mr. A Wiltz, Chief Director, Digital Access and Services

First Floor, Block A3, iParioli Office Park, 1166 Park Street, Hatfield, Pretoria

Private Bag X860, Pretoria, 0001

rapid@dcdt.gov.za; Cell: 0837140126 (Mr. L Motlatla)

1.4 An interested person making a written submission is deemed to have consented to its disclosure to a requester, except if otherwise requested by such interested person based on one of the grounds for refusal of access to records as provided in the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (Act No. 2 of 2000).

1.5 Comments received after the closing date will be disregarded

SCHEDULE

DRAFT POLICY DIRECTION ON MATTERS RELEVANT TO ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK DEPLOYMENT PURSUANT TO THE NATIONAL POLICY ON RAPID DEPLOYMENT OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS AND FACILITIES, 2023

Recognising that –

•     the National Policy on Rapid Deployment of Electronic Communications Networks and Facilities, 2023 (the National Policy) is dependent on implementation by the Authority to achieve the goals of the Electronic Communications Act, 2005 (the Act) and the goals of the National Development Plan, 2030 (NDP); and

•     more focussed initiatives are required to ensure that the National Policy is implemented efficiently and effectively; and

•     there are a number of other legal instruments that exist in relation to deployment of broadband networks and services in South Africa, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies has decided to issue a policy direction under section 3(2)(b) and (e) of the Act, having regard to the National Policy.

Having regard to the public interest and having regard to international trends, the Authority is directed to identify the most suitable way to achieve the objectives of rapid deployment, and to:

1. Undertake a review of and if necessary, strengthen the Facilities Leasing Regulations in particular in regard to:

(a) qualifying criteria for licensees who wish to exercise their Chapter 4 rights which should include as a minimum that:

(i) the licensee is an ECNS licensee with a valid licence which is in compliance with its licence obligations and the law;

(ii) there are no other suitable alternatives to forms of access requested to the facilities identified; and

(iii) the requesting licensee has made available to the Authority the location of all of its facilities;

(b) the terms on which access to essential facilities will be granted including as to price (on the basis that the Authority will determine “essential facilities” as required below, as a priority);

(c) the concept of “open access”;

(d) improving the time within which requests must be considered and approved and agreements finalised by licensees in terms of Chapter 8; and

(e) monitoring, enforcement and implementation of the amended Facilities Leasing

Regulations, which shall include the filing of all agreements with the Authority.

2. Develop a framework for new Rapid Deployment Regulations that takes account of the following principles:

(a) Unnecessary duplication of facilities in areas should be discouraged where existing facilities are available in particular where a licensee is or licensees are, by virtue of its or their extensive national networks, in a position to make access available.

(b) The creation of a central geographic information system (GIS) database should be established to which licensees can be required to contribute information concerning new and existing infrastructure, both as to location and type, as a priority and in this regard, the Authority is directed to liaise with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies to –

(i) determine the nature and parameters of information to be provided in the GIS database;

(ii) identify who can access the information in the GIS database;

(iii) agree the protocol for security of the GIS database;

(iv) identify input, output and outcome indicators; and

(v) ensure that the database shall be capable of connecting to and interfacing with other similar databases, including the GIS database of the DCDT, to ensure a comprehensive record can be established of the location and coverage of each type of technology and each network; and

(vi) identify other similar initiatives within government where it may be appropriate to share resources and save costs by collaborating on such a system.

(c) The Authority shall enforce the provision by licensees of information concerning their network deployment (new and existing) as set out above, using its powers to require information. Such information shall be used strictly and only for purposes identified in this policy direction and to achieve the objectives set out in this policy direction. The Authority shall take such steps as are necessary to protect this information from unauthorised use or use which could compromise the commercial business interests of licensees, notwithstanding the obligation to provide such information including prescribing an obligation to make such filings in such format as the Authority requires. In making its requests for data, the Authority must make licensees aware that their data will be used to facilitate leasing of facilities as well as supporting deployment of electronic communications and other infrastructure.

(d) The Authority shall ensure that a reasonable portion of its budget for technical matters is set aside for research and development into new deployment methods and alternatives to existing methods of deployment.

(e) The policy has determined that requests for access to government servitudes, property and infrastructure that are associated with or part of electronic communications facilities or electronic communications networks and that are publicly funded shall be considered to be “reasonable” in terms of Chapter 8. The Authority shall consider whether it is appropriate to classify access to only certain types of such infrastructure as “reasonable” on the basis that they meet predetermined criteria. The Authority may wish to consult with stakeholders in this regard, and it would be appropriate to issue guidelines to deal with the criteria for “reasonableness” in this context.

(f) To give effect to the objectives of this policy and in particular the need to avoid unnecessary duplication of infrastructure, the Authority should consider whether it would be appropriate to prescribe an obligation on licensees to simultaneously file a copy of each request for a wayleave application, or at least the motivation for not leasing relevant existing infrastructure, with the Authority’s facilities-leasing department so that the Authority may determine whether or not the licensee has met the requirements for a request.

(g) The Authority shall ensure that information provided under subsection (c) is updated no less frequently than once every two years or as often as the information changes and shall oblige licensees to act accordingly.

(h) The Authority shall take steps to monitor the accuracy of the information provided under (c) and (f) from time to time by independently verifying it.

(i) The Authority shall determine a process to be followed to declare a dispute between licensees or between licensees and third parties which considers, among other things –

(i) that the dispute should be declared at least 14 calendar days before the licensee commences with an activity for which access to land is required and provided that a licensee may not continue to deploy broadband infrastructure while awaiting the resolution of the dispute;

(ii) that disputes with land owners and other third parties which are not licensees may only be referred to the Authority if the third party agrees to submit to dispute resolution under the Rapid Deployment Regulations;

(iii) that if damage is caused by a licensee entering and inspecting land, or building or maintaining broadband infrastructure, a property owner is entitled to the replacement value, if applicable or reasonable compensation agreed to between the property owner and the licensee, for any damage caused;

(iv) that disputes relating to the replacement value or reasonability of compensation for damage should be referred to a court of competent jurisdiction;

(v) that a decision made in accordance with the rapid deployment regulations should be, in all respects, effective and binding on the parties to the dispute unless an order of a court of competent jurisdiction is granted against the decision; and

(vi) that any appeal against or review of a decision of the Authority should be referred to a court of competent jurisdiction.

(j) The Authority shall provide a report to the Minister annually on the steps taken to implement:

(i) amendments to the Facilities Leasing Regulation; and

(ii) the formulation of Rapid Deployment Regulations, with the first report to be provided within 12 (twelve) months of the date of commencement of this policy direction

EXPLANATORY NOTE

1. Chapter 4 of the Act sets out the right of licensees to gain access to public and private land in order to deploy networks and particularly broadband networks, at speed. Despite the apparently wide rights given to licensees in this Chapter, licensees experience delays getting wayleaves and other permits to access public land and even private land. Every municipality has a different process and charges different fees and there is significant delay in issuing permits, despite the provisions of the National Infrastructure Development Act, 2014.

Policy background

2. A White Paper was published in 2016 in which a chapter was devoted to the concept of ‘rapid deployment’ which was followed by the publication of the National Policy of 2023. The National Policy must be reviewed at least every three years.

3. The National Policy provides that national coverage of broadband infrastructure is necessary for the creation of a digital economy and digital society. All spheres of government must enable the rapid deployment of broadband infrastructure to enable universal digital services. Red tape across government spheres must be reduced to eliminate delays in granting approvals and minimise costs for the deployment of broadband infrastructure. The National Policy is one of the action lines under Operation Vulindlela (Phase 1).

Legislative background

4. Section 21 of the Act obliges the Authority to make regulations that “provide procedures and

processes for:

(a) obtaining any necessary permit, authorisation, approval or other governmental authority including the criteria necessary to qualify for such permit, authorisation, approval or other governmental authority; and

(b) resolving disputes that may arise between an electronic communications network service licensee and any landowner in order to satisfy the public interest in the rapid rollout of electronic communications networks and electronic communications facilities”.

5. The Authority published Facilities-Leasing Regulations in 2010. These Regulations have been helpful in facilitating network-sharing and network access to enable competitors to avoid duplicating infrastructure, reduce the strain on the environment, and reduce costs. However, since their introduction the impact of the Regulations on network deployment and affordable access has not been assessed.

6. The Authority has not yet published rapid deployment regulations as required by the Act or the National Policy.

The current position

7. The Competition Commission recommended a standard bylaw as one of the ways to reduce the cost of data for consumers.

8. A “standard draft bylaw” was published by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in 2023 (Standard Draft By-Laws for Deployment of Electronic Communications Facilities (Government Gazette 48113, Government Notice No. 3087, 24 February 2023)). It is intended to assist in infrastructure rollout by creating a standard approach to applications for and the processing of permits by municipalities. However, to date a fraction of the total number of municipalities have adopted this.

9. The ongoing delays and the disparity between procedures within each municipality increase costs to licensees which are ultimately passed on to consumers. Among other things, this increases the cost of data at a time when the Minister is focused on reducing this, and on expanding affordable access to high-speed broadband networks around the country.

The policy direction

10. The Authority requires the support of the Minister in establishing the necessary regulations. After discussion, the Minister has decided that revised policy directions will assist the Authority and ultimately licensees in fulfilling national policy goals. Issues such as the creation of a GIS database have long been discussed but not formalized. The draft policy direction seeks to do this, among other things.

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Electronic Communications Act: Policy direction on network deployment: Comments invited

G 54314 GoN 7216

– Comment by 12 Apr 2026

12 March 2026

543147216.pdf

ACTION

Ensure that you submit your comments before 12 April 2026.

ENERGY AND PETROLEUM

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

Petroleum Products Act:

Regulated biofuels price

G 54321 GoN 7233

13 March 2026

APPLIES TO: 

•      Fuel wholesalers and distributors

•      Logistics companies transporting petroleum products

•      Large industrial fuel users

SUMMARY

Purpose of the notice

The notice gives effect to the Regulated Biofuels Price Regulations, forming part of the government‑approved Biofuels Regulatory Framework (2020). It supports South Africa’s target of 2% biofuels penetration in the liquid fuels market, using locally produced first‑generation biofuels.

What is regulated

The regulations establish a regulated transfer price for:

• Bio‑ethanol
• Biodiesel

This is the maximum price at which a licensed biofuel manufacturer may sell biofuels to a licensed petroleum manufacturer for blending into petrol or diesel.

How the regulated price is calculated

The regulated biofuels price consists of:

1. The Basic Fuel Price (BFP):
2. • Diesel (0.005% sulphur) for biodiesel, or
   • Unleaded Petrol 95 (ULP) for bio‑ethanol; plus

1. The applicable magisterial district zone differential, reflecting transport and logistics costs.

The price is:

• Revised monthly
• Effective from the first Wednesday of each month
• Calculated by the Central Energy Fund (CEF) based on over‑ or under‑recoveries in the previous month.

Who is directly affected?

The regulations apply only to licensed entities under the Petroleum Products Act, namely:

• Licensed biofuel manufacturers (bio‑ethanol and biodiesel)
• Licensed petroleum manufacturers (petrol and diesel)
• Biofuel blending facilities, including secondary storage facilities intending to blend biofuels

Any secondary storage facility that wants to perform blending activities must apply for a petroleum manufacturing licence.

Compliance and enforcement

• Selling or purchasing biofuels outside the regulated price regime is not permitted
• Failure to comply constitutes an offence under section 12(1) of the Petroleum Products Act
• Biofuels must comply with applicable SANS standards

What the notice does not do

• It does not regulate retail fuel prices as paid by end consumers
• It does not apply to:
  • Non‑fuel manufacturers
  • Ordinary fuel users
  • Businesses outside the petroleum and biofuels value chain

Bottom‑line takeaway

The notice formally regulates the price at which licensed bio‑ethanol and biodiesel producers may sell biofuels to licensed petroleum manufacturers, with monthly price adjustments, as part of South Africa’s phased rollout of biofuels into the national fuel supply.

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

SCHEDULE

Definitions

1. In these Regulations, any word or expression to which a meaning has been assigned in the Act, has the same meaning, and unless the context otherwise indicates─

“Basic Fuel Price” means a pricing mechanism used by the Department to determine the price of imported petroleum products;

“bio-ethanol” means ethanol derived from plant material (including crops, agricultural and forestry residues), animal residues, industrial and domestic/municipal waste as well as other organic and/or renewable resources. The ethanol must conform to the applicable SANS.;

“biodiesel” means a renewable fuel or fuel component derived from plant material (including crops, agricultural and forestry residues), animal residues, industrial and domestic/municipal waste as well as other organic and/or renewable resources. This renewable fuel or fuel component must conform to the applicable SANS.;

“biofuel” means biodiesel or bioethanol;

“biofuel blend” means a mixture of two or more compatible petroleum products having different properties, where one of the petroleum products is a biofuel and the other is petroleum diesel or a petroleum petrol, in order to produce a final petroleum product with desired attributes;

“blending facility” means a facility where biofuel blending is performed under a manufacturing licence in terms of the Act;

“CEF” means the Central Energy Fund (SOC) Limited, a state-owned company established in terms of the Central Energy Fund Act, 1977 (Act No. 38 of 1977);

“Department” means the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources;

“licenced biofuel manufacturer” means a person licenced to manufacture biofuel in terms of the Act;

“licenced petroleum manufacturer” means a person licenced to manufacture petroleum petrol or petroleum diesel in terms of the Act;

“Magisterial District” means a geographic area that is published by the Minister to adjust the price of prescribed petroleum products based on the transportation costs, taxes, and other expenses associated with delivering prescribed petroleum products to another geographic area;

“Minister” means the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources;

“petroleum diesel” means any permitted grade of diesel that has no biodiesel added to it;

“petroleum petrol” means any permitted grade of petrol that has no bio-ethanol added to it;

“regulated biofuels price” means the transfer price of biodiesel or bio-ethanol, as regulated by the Minister, charged by a licenced biofuels manufacturer to a licenced petroleum manufacturer in terms of regulation 2;

“SANS” means a South African National Standard approved by the South African Bureau of Standards in terms of the Standards Act, 2008 (Act No. 8 of 2008);

“secondary storage” means the tariff for providing storage and handling facilities of biofuel blend only, and determined by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa in terms of section 20(1) of the Petroleum Pipelines Act, 2003 (Act No. 60 of 2003);

“the Act” means the Petroleum Products Act, 1977 (Act No. 120 of 1977);

“transfer price” means the maximum price which a licenced biofuels manufacturer shall be permitted to market the bio-ethanol or biodiesel to a licenced petroleum manufacturer within the Republic of South Africa; and

“zone differential” means the cents per litre amount approved by the Minister reflecting the cost of moving petroleum products from coastal port or refinery location to inland distribution centres by pipeline, rail or road.

Regulated Biofuels Price

2. (1) The regulated biofuels price comprises of the following elements─

(i) the Basic Fuel Price of petroleum diesel (0,005% sulphur) for biodiesel or the Basic Fuel Price of unleaded petroleum petrol 95 (ULP) for bio-ethanol; and

(ii) the magisterial district zone differential;

(2) Any secondary storage that intends to perform blending facility activities must apply for a petroleum manufacture licence in terms of the Act.

(3) A person who contravenes a provision of these Regulations, shall be guilty of an offence as contemplated in section 12(1) of the Act.

Monthly Revision of the Regulated Biofuels Price

3. The regulated biofuels price must be adjusted every month by the Department and effective from the first Wednesday of each month and must be calculated by the CEF using the average over or under-recovery in terms of the Basic Fuel Price for unleaded petrol 95 and petroleum diesel 0,005% sulphur that occurred the previous month in accordance with regulation 2.

Short Title and Commencement

4. These Regulations are called the Regulations for Biofuels Price and will take effect from the date of publication in the Government Gazette.

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Petroleum Products Act: Regulated biofuels price (English/Afrikaans)

G 54321 GoN 7233

13 March 2026

54321gon7233.pdf

ACTION

1.   Ensure that you hold the correct licences

• Biofuel manufacturers must hold a biofuel manufacturing licence under the Petroleum Products Act
• Petroleum manufacturers must hold a petroleum manufacturing licence
• Any secondary storage facility intending to blend biofuels must apply for and obtain a petroleum manufacturing licence

Action:

Review current licensing status and apply for or amend licences where blending or manufacturing activities occur.

2. Apply the regulated biofuels transfer price

• Bio‑ethanol and biodiesel may only be sold to licensed petroleum manufacturers at the regulated transfer price
• Prices must be calculated using:
  • The Basic Fuel Price (BFP) (diesel or ULP 95), plus
  • The relevant magisterial district zone differential

Action:

Update pricing systems, contracts, and invoices to ensure no biofuels are sold or purchased outside the regulated price.

3. Track monthly price revisions

• The regulated biofuels price is:
• • Adjusted monthly
  • Effective from the first Wednesday of each month
  • Calculated by the Central Energy Fund (CEF) based on over‑ or under‑recovery

Action:

Implement an internal control to:

• Monitor monthly price announcements
• Update pricing automatically or by formal monthly approval

4. Ensure compliance with SANS standards

• All bio‑ethanol and biodiesel must comply with the applicable South African National Standards (SANS)

Action:

Maintain:

• Quality control documentation
• Test results and certification records
• Supplier and production compliance evidence

5. Contractual alignment

• Supply agreements between biofuel manufacturers and petroleum manufacturers must:
  • Reflect the regulated transfer price
  • Allow for monthly price adjustments

Action:

Review and amend contracts to:

• Remove fixed or discretionary pricing clauses
• Align to the statutory pricing mechanism

6. Record‑keeping and audit readiness

Because contraventions are an offence under section 12(1) of the Petroleum Products Act, organisations must be audit‑ready.

Action:

Maintain records showing:

• Monthly pricing calculations
• Licensing status
• Volumes sold and purchased
• Compliance with blending and pricing rules

7. Avoid prohibited conduct

The following constitute non‑compliance:

• Selling biofuels above the regulated price
• Blending without the appropriate manufacturing licence
• Supplying non‑SANS‑compliant biofuels
• Operating outside licence terms

Risk:

Non‑compliance is a criminal offence under the Act.

ENVIRONMENTAL

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT:

Declaration of powers and duties

G 54407 GoN 7293

25 March 2026

APPLIES TO: 

If an organisation requires environmental approval, holds a DFFE‑issued licence, or operates in forestry, fisheries, or protected ecological areas, this notice is relevant.

If it does not, the notice does not impose obligations or require action.

SUMMARY

An environmental‑sector notice published by DFFE. It forms part of the department’s statutory environmental management and regulatory functions under South African environmental legislation.

The notice is sector‑specific and administrative/regulatory in nature, and it does not apply to businesses generally.

Purpose and scope (in general terms)

Based on its issuing authority and format, the notice relates to matters within DFFE’s mandate, which typically include:

• Environmental protection and management
• Forestry regulation
• Fisheries and marine resources
• Biodiversity conservation
• Compliance with environmental authorisations, licences, or processes

The notice is intended for stakeholders operating in regulated environmental sectors, rather than for the general public or unrelated commercial entities.

Who is relevant to this notice

This notice is relevant primarily to:

• Organisations operating under environmental authorisations or permits
• Entities active in the forestry, fisheries, or environmental management sectors
• Environmental practitioners, consultants, and compliance professionals
• Government bodies or state‑owned entities with environmental responsibilities

What the notice does not do

• It does not introduce economy‑wide obligations
• It does not regulate ordinary manufacturing, retail, finance, or service activities
• It does not require action from organisations outside environmental regulation

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL NOTICE:

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

National Environmental Management Act: Declaration of powers and duties

G 54407 GoN 7293

25 March 2026

54407gon7293.pdf

ACTION

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT:

Air Quality Act: Amendment and expansion of the Vaal Triangle Air-Shed Priority Area

G 54355 RG 11957 GoN 7251

20 March 2026

APPLIES TO: 

• Industries and facilities with Atmospheric Emission Licences in the expanded area
• Municipalities within the new boundaries
• Large industrial, mining, petrochemical, and energy facilities
• Communities and land‑use planners within the affected municipalities

SUMMARY

The notice formally amends and expands the geographic boundaries of the Vaal Triangle Air‑Shed Priority Area (VTAPA).

The original Vaal Triangle Air‑Shed Priority Area was declared in April 2006 due to persistent poor air quality and high levels of pollutants, particularly particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5).

This 2026 notice completes the process of extending the priority area to cover additional high‑pollution zones, based on updated air‑quality assessments.

Areas now included in the expanded Priority Area

The expanded Vaal Triangle Air‑Shed Priority Area now includes:

• The West Rand District Municipality, and
• The remaining parts of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality

in addition to the previously declared areas in:

• Sedibeng District Municipality (Gauteng), and
• Metsimaholo Local Municipality (Free State). [gov.za]

Why the expansion was made

The additional areas are identified in the National Framework for Air Quality Management as:

• Areas of concern, and
• Areas experiencing elevated ambient air‑pollution levels, especially particulate matter.

The expansion is intended to allow for coordinated air‑quality management, monitoring, and enforcement across a wider airshed that functions as a single pollution system.

Practical effect of the declaration

Being located within a declared Air‑Shed Priority Area means that:

• Air‑quality management must be coordinated across national, provincial, and municipal authorities
• A Priority Area Air Quality Management Plan applies

• Stricter focus is placed on:
  • Emission reduction
  • Ambient air‑quality monitoring
  • Compliance and enforcement for listed activities

• Existing emissions licences and authorisations remain valid but are subject to enhanced oversight

The notice itself does not introduce new immediate emission limits, but provides the legal basis for stronger regulatory controls and coordinated interventions.

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act: Amendment and expansion of the Vaal Triangle Air-Shed Priority Area

G 54355 RG 11957 GoN 7251

20 March 2026

54355reg11957gon72510.pdf

ACTION

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: WASTE ACT:

Regulations: National Waste Exemption 2026: Comments invited

G 54304 GoN 7214

– Comment by 10 Apr 2026

11 March 2026

APPLIES TO: 

1. Waste generators

2. Waste recyclers and recovery facilities

3. Waste treatment and processing facilities

4. Waste transporters and handlers

5. Municipal waste operations

They apply only where an exemption is granted — they do not automatically exempt all activities.

SUMMARY

What this notice does

The notice publishes the National Waste Exemption Regulations, 2026, which provide a framework under which specific waste‑related activities may be exempted from certain requirements of the Waste Act, subject to strict conditions.

The intent is to:

• Reduce unnecessary regulatory burden where environmental risk is low; and
• Encourage waste minimisation, reuse, recycling, recovery, and beneficiation.

Purpose of the Exemption Regulations

The regulations allow the Minister (or delegated authority) to:

• Grant exemptions from licensing, authorisation, or compliance requirements for defined waste activities;
• Do so only where exemptions are environmentally justifiable and aligned with the waste‑management hierarchy.

Key features of the regulations

• Exemptions are conditional, not blanket

• Conditions typically relate to:

• • Environmental protection
  • Record‑keeping and reporting
  • Compliance with norms and standards

• Exemptions may be withdrawn if conditions are breached
• The regulations operate in addition to, not in replacement of, other environmental laws

What the regulations do not do

• They do not remove the Waste Act’s applicability overall
• They do not permit uncontrolled waste activities
• They do not exempt activities automatically without approval or compliance

Practical implication

Organisations may:

• Apply for or rely on waste activity exemptions where eligible; but
• Must continue to manage waste responsibly, transparently, and lawfully.

Non‑compliance with exemption conditions can result in:

• Revocation of the exemption; and
• Enforcement action under the Waste Act.

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

National Environmental Management: Waste Act: Regulations: National Waste Exemption 2026: Comments invited

G 54304 GoN 7214

– Comment by 10 Apr 2026

11 March 2026

54304gon7214.pdf

ACTION

HEALTH AND SAFETY

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ACT:

Extension of implementation date of Group I, Category A, Category B and Group II Hazardous Substances: Declaration

G 54319 GoN 7221

13 March 2026

APPLIES TO: 

1. Businesses that manufacture hazardous substances

2. Businesses that import hazardous substances

3. Businesses that distribute, store, or sell hazardous substances

4. Health‑related and industrial facilities using hazardous substances

5. Compliance officers, regulators, and inspectors

SUMMARY

This notice gives organisations that manufacture, import, store, distribute, or use certain hazardous substances an additional 18 months before they must comply with the declaration requirements—it delays the deadline, but does not remove the obligation.

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Hazardous Substances Act: Extension of implementation date of Group I, Category A, Category B and Group II Hazardous Substances: Declaration

G 54319 GoN 7221

13 March 2026

54319gon7221.pdf

ACTION

LABOUR

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

Labour Relations Act

Collective Agreements

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Labour Relations Act: Intention to cancel registration of trade union: Vanguard of Organised Labour: Comments invited

G 54404 RG 11964 GoN 7291

– Comment by 25 May 2026

25 March 2026

54404rg11964gon7291.pdf

Labour Relations Act: Change of name of trade union: African Peoples Trade Union to National Operation Workers Union of South Africa (NOWUSA)

G 54362 RG 11962 GoN 7278

20 March 2026

54362rg11962gon7278.pdf

Labour Relations Act: Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council: Pension Fund Collective Agreement: Comments invited

G 54360 RG 11960 GoN 7276

– Comment by 10 Apr 2026

20 March 2026

54360rg11960gon7276.pdf

Labour Relations Act: Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council: Registration and Administration Expenses Collective Agreement: Comments invited

G 54358 RG 11958 GoN 7274

– Comment by 10 Apr 2026

20 March 2026

54358reg11958gon7274.pdf

Labour Relations Act: Regional Bargaining Council for the Contract Cleaning Sector (excluding Kwa-Zulu- Natal): Extension to Non-Parties of the Main Collective Agreement

G 54355 RG 11957 GoN 7247

20 March 2026

54355rg11957gon7247.pdf

Labour Relations Act: List of Bargaining Council and Statutory Council that have been accredited by CCMA for conciliation and/or arbitration and/or inquiry by arbitrator from May 2025 to April 2028

G 54319 GeN 3819

13 March 2026

54319gen3819.pdf

LEGAL

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

LEGAL PRACTICE ACT:

Rules: Amendment

G 54319 GeN 3820

13 March 2026

APPLIES TO: 

• Legal practitioners (attorneys and advocates)
• Candidate legal practitioners
• Juristic entities (law firms)
• LPC investigating and disciplinary committees

SUMMARY

The Legal Practice Council has amended its disciplinary rules to improve how complaints of professional misconduct are handled, especially minor misconduct cases.

The changes aim to make disciplinary processes faster, clearer, and more proportionate.

Key changes introduced

1. New definitions added

The Rules now formally define:

• “Minor transgression” – misconduct of a less serious nature, suitable for lighter sanctions.
• “Serious transgression” – misconduct serious enough to justify full disciplinary proceedings.
• “Misconduct” – aligned with the LPC Code of Conduct, covering breaches of the Act, Rules, Code, or conduct bringing the profession into disrepute.

This creates clarity and consistency in how misconduct is classified.

2. Investigating committees get new powers for minor misconduct

Previously, all misconduct complaints had to be referred for formal disciplinary hearings.

Now:

• Investigating committees may finalise minor misconduct cases themselves, without a full disciplinary tribunal.
• They can impose limited sanctions for minor transgressions.

Possible sanctions include:

• A caution or reprimand
• A warning (endorsed on enrolment, where applicable)
• A fine (within limits set by the Minister)

3. Respondents have a choice

When a minor sanction is proposed:

• The legal practitioner, candidate legal practitioner, or juristic entity has 15 days to:
  • ✅ Accept the sanction (case is closed), or
  • ❌ Reject it (matter goes to a disciplinary committee)

No response within 15 days = the sanction is deemed accepted.

4. Serious matters still go to disciplinary committees

If misconduct is considered serious:

• The case must be referred to a disciplinary committee.
• Existing formal adjudication processes remain unchanged.

5. Clear grounds to dismiss weak complaints

The Rules clarify when complaints may be dismissed early, including where:

• No misconduct occurred
• The conduct is inconsequential
• There is no reasonable prospect of success
• The complaint is vexatious

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Legal Practice Act: Rules: Amendment

G 54319 GeN 3820

13 March 2026

54319gen3820.pdf

ACTION

Take note

MEDICAL

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

COMPENSATION FOR OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES AND DISEASES ACT:

Annual Increases To Various Medical Tariffs.

APPLIES TO: 

Various Medical sectors

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act: Optometry: Annual increase in medical tariffs for Medical Services Providers

G 54356 GoN 7255

20 March 2026

54356gon7255.pdf

Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act: Occupational Therapy: Annual increase in medical tariffs for Medical Services Providers

G 54356 GoN 7257

20 March 2026

54356gon7257.pdf

Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act: Private Hospital: Annual increase in medical tariffs for Medical Services Providers

G 54356 GoN 7259

20 March 2026

Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act: Speech Therapy Audiology and Acousticians: Annual increase in medical tariffs for Medical Services Providers

G 54356 GoN 7261

20 March 2026

54356gon7261.pdf

Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act: Wound Care and Blood Services: Annual increase in medical tariffs for Medical Services Providers

G 54366 GoN 7282

20 March 2026

54366gon7282.pdf

Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act: Dental: Annual increase in medical tariffs for Medical Services Providers

G 54364 GoN 7280

20 March 2026

54364gon7280.pdf

Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act: Orthotics and Prosthetics: Annual increase in medical tariffs for Medical Services Providers

G 54356 GoN 7256

20 March 2026

54356gon7256.pdf

ACTION

Take note of the annual increase.

TRANSPORTATION

LAW AND TYPE OF NOTICE

NATIONAL ROAD TRAFFIC ACT:

Limpopo revised 2026/2027 Motor Vehicle License Fees

G 54375 GeN 3841

20 March 2026

APPLIES TO: 

  Businesses owning or operating motor vehicles registered in Limpopo, including:

• Logistics and transport companies
• Mining and agricultural operations
• Construction companies
• Fleet‑based service providers

  Vehicle leasing and rental companies with fleets licensed in Limpopo

  Public entities and government departments with provincial vehicle fleets

  Motor dealers and fleet managers, insofar as they handle vehicle licensing on behalf of clients

SUMMARY

Updates the motor vehicle licence fees payable in Limpopo for the 2026/2027 year, affecting all individuals, businesses, and public entities that own or operate vehicles registered in the province, while organisations without Limpopo‑registered vehicles are not affected.

FULL TEXT

DETAILS

LINK TO FULL NOTICE

National Road Traffic Act: Limpopo revised 2026/2027 Motor Vehicle License Fees

G 54375 GeN 3841

20 March 2026

54375gen3841.pdf

ACTION

Take note of the amended fees.

AGRICULTURAL ARTICLES

SOUTH AFRICA

Steenhuisen hails SAHPRA’s swift approval of 6 million FMD vaccine doses

The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has welcomed the rapid approval of six million Dollvet vaccine doses to combat Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). The swift intervention by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) to expedite the importation of these vaccines is crucial for protecting the country’s livestock.

The move follows a Section 21 permit issued on Friday for an initial two million doses. SAHPRA has confirmed that two additional permits for the remaining four million doses will also be issued.

The announcement comes as agricultural and farming organisations have gone to court this week to challenge the government over the vaccination process. Livestock farmers, Sakeliga, the Suider-Afrika Agri Inisiatief (Saai) and Free State Agriculture (the applicants) are seeking an interdict against the government’s obstruction of private-sector procurement and administration of FMD vaccines.

According to the department, the phased procurement in lots of two million is a logistical necessity due to the current conflict in the Middle East.

This follows the arrival of 1.5 million Dollvet vaccines from Türkiye on March 1, 2026.

In addition to the Dollvet supply, Minister Steenhuisen confirmed that five million doses of Biogénesis Bago vaccines will soon be on order. Last month, one million doses of the Biogénesis Bago vaccine arrived in South Africa from Argentina.

The minister highlighted the importance of a united front in protecting the country’s livestock. “I want to recognise the vital role the private sector has played in navigating the complexities of vaccine acquisition and logistics,” Steenhuisen said.

“To our farmers and all the role players walking beside the Department of Agriculture in this fight, thank you for your resilience and cooperation.”

The department extended its gratitude to SAHPRA for its responsiveness, noting that understanding the urgency is vital to ensuring vaccines reach South Africa without delay.

Steenhuisen added that these partnerships are essential to ensure long-term food security and protect the national herd.

The department stated that the delivery schedule for the remaining doses will be shared as soon as it becomes available.

Siphesihle Buthelezi

The Mercury

FINANCE ARTICLES

SOUTH AFRICA

Court rejects Irba’s bid to appeal scathing judgment

Original judgment held that the accounting regulator failed to follow the provisions of the Auditing Professions Act.

An application by the auditing regulator to appeal a high court judgment that slammed it for its failure to follow the empowering provisions of the Auditing Professions Act (APA) when investigating a complaint against an auditor has been dismissed with costs.

This led to the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (Irba) last week petitioning the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) for leave to appeal the judgment.

Judge Mandlenkosi Motha said in his original judgment handed down in the High Court in Johannesburg in October 2025 that Irba’s failure to follow the APA “coloured the entire process with arbitrariness”.

This judgment related to an application brought by Serengeti Estates Property Owners Association NPC (Sepoa) member and resident Thomas Lessing to review and set aside a decision taken by Irba to 10 complaints he lodged against Bartholomew Gormley, the auditor of the estate.

Lessing further applied to set aside the decisions taken by Irba’s investigating committee, and the sanctions imposed on Gormley, as unlawful and unconstitutional, and refer the matter back to Irba.

Motha ruled in October 2025 that an error of law materially influenced the decisions of the investigating and enforcement committees and set aside these decisions.

He concluded that in view of the flagrant failure to comply with APA, and given the dictates of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (Paja), it was sound to send the matter back to Irba with instructions.

These were that Irba must:

• Properly investigate all the complaints brought by Lessing that it views as meritorious when exercising its statutory powers;
• When necessary, use all mechanisms available to it in terms of the APA to obtain evidence; and
• Give Lessing an opportunity to meaningfully participate in any disciplinary hearing in accord with the APA.

Irba was ordered to pay the costs of that application.

Irba delays matters

In a judgment handed down last month to Irba’s application for leave to appeal – which has only now become available – Motha said it is noteworthy that Irba failed to file its heads of argument, necessitating the adjournment of the proceedings on 26 January 2026 “much to the court’s chagrin”.

Motha added that Lessing opposed Irba’s application and filed his heads of argument for this application “without the benefit of having perused the applicants’ [Irba’s] heads of argument”.

He said Irba’s application for leave to appeal pivots around its argument that the court erred in its interpretation of the empowering provisions of Irba’s disciplinary powers and provisions, and also erred in finding that Lessing had standing to bring his application.

Motha said in terms of the Superior Courts Act leave to appeal may only be given where the judge or judges believe the appeal would have a reasonable prospect of success and there is some compelling reason why the appeal should be heard, including conflicting judgments on the matter under consideration.

He said the word “would” in the new statute indicates a measure of certainty that another court will differ from the court whose judgment is sought to be appealed.

Judge Motha referred to earlier judgments that stressed more is required to be established than that there is a mere possibility of success, that the case is arguable on appeal, or that the case cannot be categorised as hopeless.

There must be a sound, rational basis for the conclusion that there are prospects for success on appeal.

Irba unsure?

Judge Motha said Irba “seems to be between two minds” with its application for leave to appeal.

He said it first submitted that Lessing lacked the standing to bring the application and that the court erred in finding that Lessing had asserted public interest standing and that the matter was public interest litigation.

But Irba submits later that “in light of this, it is submitted that the resolution of the issues in the proposed appeal are of significance and public importance and merit the attention of the Supreme Court of Appeal”.

Motha said this state of ambivalence points “to a desire to obtain legal advice on the proper interpretation of APA as it stands”.

He said this view is founded on Irba’s statement that aspects of the judgment and order affect not only future cases but also potentially matters already concluded, which may be subject to review proceedings.

Motha said Irba’s view is that the implementation of the judgment and order, in the event it is upheld on appeal or if leave to appeal is refused, “will cause fewer matters to be resolved by way of the admission of guilt process, which could severely impact the Irba’s legislative mandate, operations and financial sustainability”.

He referred to another judgment that stressed that appeals are primarily meant to be about obtaining different results and not second opinions.

And further, that the filtering object of the Superior Courts Act would be subverted were meritless questions sent on appeal when there was no compelling reason for the matter in question to deserve the attention of a higher court.

Motha concluded that against that background, Irba’s application for leave to appeal must fail.

Original complaint and judgment

In the initial judgment, the court heard that Irba’s investigating committee decided at meetings held on 27 October 2022 and 16 March 2023 to recommend to the regulator’s enforcement committee that Gormley be charged with improper conduct for charging Sepoa a fee for responding to a complaint lodged with Irba and to dismiss the remaining complaints, with members of Sepoa having to pay a special levy to fund Gormley’s invoice.

Irba wrote to Gormley on 17 March 2023 to inform him of the investigating committee’s decision and asked him to indicate whether he would accept the draft schedule of charges.

Gormley notified Irba on 18 April 2023 that he confirmed and accepted the findings.

Irba’s enforcement committee considered the matter on 16 May 2023 and decided to accept the investigating committee’s recommendations, including the sanction issued to Gormley, if he pleaded guilty to the charge.

Gormley pleaded guilty to the charge on 2 June 2023.

Motha ruled in the original judgment that Irba’s objection to Lessing’s standing is unmeritorious, adding that along with protecting the integrity of the profession, the public interest is of utmost importance in the APA.

He said Irba’s investigating committee, by suggesting a sanction if the auditor pleaded guilty “acted beyond the scope of the empowering provisions” and when the matter reached Irba’s enforcement committee it was already decided.

“I’m totally bemused by the procedure of proposing a charge and sanction without being afforded an opportunity to plead to the charge, not to mention mitigating factors, before the sanction,” he said.

“A sanction comes at the tail end of the process, following the weighing up of mitigating and aggravating factors. Thus, this was a patent breach of the APA.”

Motha said it is not an exaggeration that Gormley was browbeaten and given Hobson’s choice when Irba’s investigating committee wrote: “We must advise that the investigating committee does not normally revise its recommendations unless new facts or evidence is drawn to its attention.”

Roy Cokayne

Moneyweb

GAMBLING ARTICLES

SOUTH AFRICA

Oversight concerns raised as 3,000 gambling licences issued annually

South Africa’s gambling industry is issuing more than 3,000 licences a year, with the number of operators, particularly bookmakers, expanding sharply in recent years, raising concerns about gaps in enforcement and whether licensed operators are being adequately monitored.

This emerges from a written parliamentary reply to Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana, which shows 3,135 licences were issued to gambling and betting operators in 2024/2025, following 3,174 in 2023/2024 and 3,186 in 2022/2023.

Annual licence volumes have remained consistently high:

● 2018/2019: 2,930

● 2019/2020: 3,082

● 2020/2021: 2,887

● 2021/2022: 2,976

● 2022/2023: 3,186

● 2023/2024: 3,174

● 2024/2025: 3,135

Most licences relate to limited payout machine site operators and bookmakers, with provinces continuing to issue approvals at scale. Gauteng recorded 753 licences in 2024/2025, followed by KwaZulu-Natal (596) and the Western Cape (549).

However, it is the growth in bookmaker licences that has drawn particular concern.

In a letter to trade, industry and competition minister Parks Tau, Gana said South Africa now has more than 400 registered bookmakers, significantly higher than international peers.

He noted that the country has double the number of bookmakers as Australia, more than five times as many as Brazil, and 15 times as many as Denmark.

The number of bookmakers has risen from 288 in 2020 to 402 in 2025, representing growth of about 40%, outpacing expansion in other gambling segments.

Gana also pointed to sharp increases at the provincial level, with bookmaker numbers more than doubling over five years in Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, North West and the Free State.

He raised concern that the rapid expansion of online betting — much of which stems from provincially issued bookmaker licences — may not be matched by effective oversight and enforcement.

Provincial authorities are responsible for licensing and monitoring operators, but Gana argued that the current system does not adequately account for online gambling activity that operates across provincial boundaries, potentially creating gaps in supervision and compliance.

He called for an immediate moratorium on new bookmaker licences, the introduction of a national licensing framework for online operators, and a review of existing licensing requirements to align South Africa with international best practice.

“We cannot allow the pursuit of profit to outpace our ability to regulate and protect the South African public,” Gana said.

The parliamentary reply shows that while casino licences remain tightly capped in provinces, the expansion of limited payout machine site operators and bookmakers continues to drive overall licence volumes, raising broader questions about the state’s ability to enforce compliance in a rapidly growing and increasingly digital market.

Separate data provided in reply to a question from Rise Mzansi MP Songezo Zibi to the police minister points to potential gaps in enforcement capacity.

The reply shows that just 36 illegal online gambling cases were reported to the SAPS over the past five financial years, resulting in 39 arrests and 22 convictions.

Over the same period, a total of 32,938 cases of illegal gambling were recorded, of which 99.9% related to land-based operations, highlighting the limited number of detected online cases.

The police also identified structural challenges in tackling online gambling, noting that websites can easily be created and removed, complicating enforcement, while some cases collapsed due to legal challenges about search warrants.

Tara Roos

BusinessDay

HEALTH AND SAFETY ARTICLES

SOUTH AFRICA

High court urged to permit damages claims against agrochemicals giant UPL

A group of Durban residents has urged the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court to authorise a class action lawsuit against the Indian agrochemicals giant UPL for health injuries and financial damage they allegedly suffered after a toxic pesticide inferno.

The local subsidiary company of the Mumbai-based UPL agrochemicals group is putting up a fight against a court application that would open the door for a class action lawsuit for damages. This comes in the aftermath of the massive chemical fire in Durban during the 2021 July insurrection.

Lawyers acting for the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and 12 local residents told Judge Jacqueline Henriques that a class action – a relatively new legal mechanism in this country – would serve the interests of justice.

“Having patently caused major and unprecedented harm to the members of the proposed classes, on the back of an environmental catastrophe, [UPL] appears to be unwilling to take responsibility for the harm that it has caused the human beings that are at the heart of this matter.

“The fact that the majority of such persons are also likely to be among the poorest of the poor compounds the situation,” they argued.

But UPL has engaged a team of attorneys and four advocates to block the proposed class action, arguing that it was the real victim and that the class action route could enable some of the very “looters” who set its warehouse on fire to claim financial damages from the company.

The applicants’ claim was filed last July, just hours before the provisions of the Prescription Act threatened to extinguish future avenues for legal redress for alleged damage to health, livelihoods and wellbeing – including the potential for significant health damage several years from now.

This act sets a general three-year time limit for legal claims to be lodged.

However, before any evidence can be heard, the court has to “certify” that a class action is a suitable legal course. Class actions allow legal steps to be taken on behalf of groups or “classes” of persons.

In this case, the four classes of applicants are made up of:

• Fisherfolk allegedly out of pocket after being deprived of their ability to catch fish and other ocean resources for subsistence purposes because nearly 40km of the Durban coastline was closed for several months due to UPL’s chemical pollution.
• Beach street traders out of pocket for similar reasons.
• Subsistence farmers from the Blackburn Village informal settlement who were unable to grow crops due to the pollution of soils and river water near the chemical spill site.
• Ordinary Durban residents living within a 10km radius of the UPL Cornubia warehouse who allegedly suffered illness or injury from the airborne poison plume.

The residents are represented by LHL Attorneys, Richard Spoor Attorneys and two counsel (Andy Bester SC and Ross Bosman). UPL has engaged four counsel to oppose the case (Alfred Cockrell SC, Adrian Friedman, Pranisha Maharaj-Pillay and Ntokozo Qwabe).

The applicants ague that UPL’s attempt to block the case is “unmeritorious”.

“The broad tenor of its opposition is to raise technical objections to the proposed certification. This tack is adopted instead of grappling with the merits of the applicants’ case through a factual rebuttal.”

The residents argued before Judge Henriques that they are only required to establish a prima facie cause of action for certification and to also demonstrate that evidence exists to support it.

At this stage of the legal battle they were not required to prove their case and the court did not need to consider the merits of evidence, the probabilities, or the prospects of success.

Legal duty

They argue that in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (Nema) and other laws, UPL is liable for damages due to its “wrongful and negligent breach of one or more duties of care”. UPL also had a legal duty not to pollute any areas with the chemicals and pesticides under its control.

“[UPL] persists in its contention that it should somehow escape certification merely because (so it contends) it did not set fire to its own facility. For the same reason, it contends that it should be absolved of responsibility for the subsequent chemical spill.”

However, if the company had taken “reasonable steps” to prevent the pollution from the fire and the chemical spill, the harm which the members of the classes suffered would not have ensued.”

They argue that UPL failed to take these steps, despite having known of the risks and having been in a position to prevent them.

“Class actions remain somewhat novel in SA. Merely because the prosecution of a class action may be difficult is not sufficient for the Court to close its eyes to what is, we submit in this matter, a patent wrong for which (UPL) should be held accountable.”

But in its heads of argument, UPL argues that a class action could require the company to pay damages to “potentially thousands of people” who were affected by the arson attack.

“The application lacks a tenable cause of action, rests on class definitions that are overbroad and unworkable, and proposes procedures that would collapse into a morass of individual mini trials.”

UPL ‘a victim, not wrongdoer’

The company’s legal team argues that UPL was a victim, not a wrongdoer.

“Foreseeability and causation are not properly pleaded: the papers do not allege (let alone demonstrate) that the general manner of harm – an arson-driven warehouse fire and its consequences – was reasonably foreseeable to UPL.”

The proposed classes to this action were also too broad “because they inevitably will include some of the looters”.

“It is overwhelmingly likely that members of the classes will include at least some persons who caused the fire, i.e. the looters… It is imperative that the Court guard against a situation arising where the looters are entitled to be members of the classes. To permit this would offend a basic tenet of our law that a person cannot benefit from his or her own wrongful or unlawful conduct.

“We do not suggest, of course, that all, or even most, of the members of the proposed classes were looters – we simply do not know and neither do the applicants. However, the legal convictions of the community would be deeply offended by the notion that looters could have a delictual cause of action against a victim of arson such as UPL.”

The company further pleads that it lost chemical stock valued at about $50-million in the fire, and also incurred a further R575-million in expenditure on environmental containment, assessment and clean-up.

The company denies that it liable for further financial damages claims under National Environmental Management Act or other laws.

“The present case is a textbook example of one that gives rise to potentially limitless liability. In cases such as Country Cloud and Bewick, and the several cases cited in those decisions, the factual examples of indeterminate liability are invariably similar to the facts of the present case. They relate to a situation in which harm caused in one place, triggers a cascading series of events which, if carried to their logical conclusion, would lead to liability which is either almost limitless, or impossible to define.

“The available facts showed that UPL could not possibly be blamed for the arson attack on its leased warehouse.

“Once the arson occurred, UPL took all possible steps to try to arrest the fire. It was let down by the emergency services which were overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the looting and lawlessness. In these circumstances, it could not be just and appropriate for UPL to be held liable in delict for the consequences of the arson.”

‘Real risk of fraudulent claims’

There was also a “real risk of fraudulent or opportunistic claims, including claims from the looters, but it will become impossible to allocate damages fairly and consistently across the classes”.

Responding to UPL’s concerns about any “looters” claiming damages, the residents says this fear is no reason to invalidate the entire class action.

“To do so would not be in the interests of justice, and most certainly would not be in the interests of the thousands of other class members who would essentially lose their right to vindicate their claims.”

This fear could be remedied easily by adding a condition to class membership stipulating that no person convicted of arson at UPL would be allowed to benefit from the proposed class action.

Lawyers representing the current 12 applicants say that anyone who believes they may be eligible to join the class action is encouraged to register or to find out more by visiting this link.

After two days of legal argument, on March 18 and 19, the case has been postponed to March 24 for final arguments.

By Tony Carnie

Daily Maverick

Is your drink about to explode? More than 17 000 bottles of popular juice concentrate recalled

LABOUR ARTICLES

SOUTH AFRICA

Retrenched and found a new job: Labour Court resolves dispute around severance pay

The Labour Court has made it clear that retrenched employees who have secured alternative employment themselves are entitled to their severance pay.

Trade Union Solidarity turned to the Cape Town Labour Court on behalf of three of its members after the company for which they had worked refused to pay them their severance payments, as required by law.

The company, Tsebo Facilities Solutions, argued that in light of the trio having secured new jobs, there was no need to further pay them their severance pay.

A CCMA arbitrator earlier ruled against them and found that they had forfeited their severance pay under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. This was based on the wrong conclusion that their now former employer had arranged their alternative employment with their new employer.

Solidarity subsequently successfully turned to the Labour Court to have this finding overturned.

Tsebo delivered a service to Sanlam in terms of a Service Level Agreement (“SLA”) with a staff complement of about 125 employees for about 20 years.

Tsebo lost the contract to another company, CBRE, and Sanlam issued a written notice of the termination of the SLA with Tsebo. Shortly afterwards, Tsebo issued section 189(3) notices to all affected employees, including the applicants, followed by a notice of termination of employment.

But by then, the three had already secured employment with CBRE, which was taking over from Tsebo.

The termination notice issued to the applicants referenced the section 189(3) notice and informed them that as they had found alternative employment, they were not entitled to severance pay in accordance with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.

The trio referred the severance pay dispute to the CCMA, stating that they obtained alternative employment on their own accord and that they were therefore entitled to receive severance pay.

The commissioner referred to the forfeiture clause in the Act and found that it would apply where the employer offered the employee alternative employment or when the employee to whom alternative employment has been offered unreasonably refuses to accept the offer.

The commissioner further held that an employee who accepts a retrenching employer’s offer of alternative employment with another employer (an incoming service provider) is not entitled to severance pay.

In ruling against the trio earlier, the commissioner reasoned that as they continued uninterrupted duties with the incoming service provider, CBRE, they were not retrenched.

While the applicants argued that they had negotiated for their new jobs on their own, Tsebo maintained that the forfeiture clause finds application because of its involvement, influence, and engagement with CBRE, which led to the trio securing jobs there.

On review, the Labour Court remarked that this case turns on the single question of whether the applicants obtained employment with CBRE because of Tsebo’s efforts, or whether that employment came about independently of anything Tsebo did.

The court pointed out that the purpose of severance pay is to compensate an employee for the extinguishing of accrued service, a statutory entitlement earned through years of continuous employment with an employer.

The seamless transition to another company does not undo the severing of the employment relationship with Tsebo.

It emerged that two of the applicants, in any event, secured jobs with the new employer long before the retrenchment process started. CBRE was recruiting them independently and without Tsebo’s knowledge.

The court concluded that the trio are entitled to their severance payments.

Zelda Venter

IOL

Another loss over quotas court challenge as SCA rejects appeal

The department of employment and labour says the employment equity regulations remain in force.

Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has welcomed a ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), which dismissed an application for leave to appeal brought by Sakeliga and the National Employers’ Association of South Africa (Neasa) against the Employment Equity Amendment Act.

The two organisations had sought to overturn an earlier judgment by the High Court in Pretoria.

The high court in August 2025 dismissed their urgent bid to interdict the implementation of five-year sectoral numerical employment equity targets introduced under the amended law.

While the latest ruling deals with part A of the litigation, the broader legal challenge is not yet concluded.

In part B, Sakeliga and Neasa are seeking to have Section 15A of the Act, along with its accompanying regulations, reviewed and set aside.

Employment equity targets challenged

The case stems from regulations issued in April 2025 by Meth, shortly after the EEAA came into law months earlier.

These regulations introduced sector-specific numerical targets aimed at increasing representation of “designated groups” – including black people, women and people with disabilities – across 18 industries, among them agriculture, mining, transport and construction.

Under the framework, companies with 50 or more employees must align their workforce to better reflect South Africa’s demographics by 2030 or face penalties.

The first reporting cycle under the new system ran from 1 September 2025 to 15 January 2026.

According to the department of employment and labour, Sakeliga and Neasea first tried to appeal in the high court, but the application heard on 16 October was dismissed.

The court found no strong reason to believe another court would rule differently.

It also ruled it was too early to grant leave to appeal, given that part B of the case is still to be finalised.

SCA rejects appeal

Undeterred, the applicants escalated the matter to the SCA.

The appellate court dismissed the application with costs on 13 March.

The SCA in its ruling held that there was no reasonable prospect of success and no other compelling justification for hearing the appeal.

The department has since welcomed the judgment, describing it as “a big win”.

“It vindicates our position that there is nothing sinister about the EE amendments and the five-year sector numerical EE targets,” the statement reads.

The department further emphasised that in the absence of any court interdict, the regulations remain in force.

As such, all designated employers are required to comply fully with the provisions of the amended Act and its associated targets.

By Molefe Seeletsa

The Citizen

MEDICAL ARTICLES

SOUTH AFRICA

Ramaphosa urges ‘genuine’ public, private health sector collaboration over NHI

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday stated that the public and private health sectors cannot continue to operate in parallel, announcing that in preparation for the National Health Insurance (NHI), government is already making significant investments to strengthen public health infrastructure.

Writing his weekly letter to the nation, Ramaphosa noted the skills on display at the public Mankweng Hospital in Limpopo, and said government was committed to replicate the hospital’s success.

He praised surgeons at Mankweng Hospital who successfully separated conjoined twins in a complex operation.

“We owe the medical teams that performed the operation, that helped deliver the twins and that are now caring for them our deepest admiration and gratitude,” he said.

Ramaphosa highlighted that this achievement was more than a medical milestone.

“It is proof of what our public health system is capable of. It is a reminder that South Africa possesses world-class medical expertise, not only in the private hospitals in our cities, but also in public facilities serving communities that have historically been neglected and underserved,” he noted.

He described this as an outcome of sustained national investment in cultivating medical excellence through subsidising the country’s medical schools, providing study bursaries for medical students, and providing on-the-job training through the Internship and Community Services Programme.

Ramaphosa said closing the gap between the constitutional promise of healthcare and the daily lived reality was what motivated the NHI.

The NHI was more than a funding mechanism, he said.

“It is a commitment, grounded in our constitutional values, that every South African will have access to quality health services without suffering financial hardship,” he added.

Ramaphosa said for the NHI to succeed, government needed “genuine and sustained partnerships” between the public and private health sectors, as well as academic institutions, medical professionals, pharmaceutical companies, non-governmental organisations and communities.

He noted that South Africa had a well-equipped and well-funded private healthcare sector.

“Yet only around 16% of South Africans have access to these facilities. By contrast, most of the population, some 84%, uses public health facilities. On average, the amount of money spent each year on a person who uses private healthcare is around five times what is spent on someone in the public sector,” he pointed out.

He said the private and public health systems must work together in service of one nation, noting that there were many role-players who were eager for collaboration.

“… they recognise that there is both a great need and much opportunity to build stronger partnerships in healthcare,” Ramaphosa said.

He acknowledged that more should be done to share skills and knowledge across the public-private divide, as when private specialists contributed time to public hospitals.

This meant investing in the training and retention of healthcare workers so that public facilities did not continue to lose their best people to private employers or to opportunities abroad, he stressed.

He announced that in preparation for the NHI, government was building and refurbishing clinics and hospitals, expanding community health worker programmes, working to ensure the availability of essential medicines, introducing digital systems, and improving the management of facilities.

By: Thabi Shomolekae

Polity

Court ruling secures affordable prostate cancer treatment

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in South Africa has ruled that the generic prostate cancer medication Enzutrix will remain available at an affordable price.

This followed an order by the SCA this week in a patent-related battle between the Regents of the University of California (UC), which owned a South African patent for the prostatecancer drug Xtandi, and Eurolab, which introduced the generic product Enzutrix.

Eurolab was earlier granted the right to continue making and selling the generic medication following an order by the Commissioner of Patents, which sat at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.

The court accepted that on the face of it, UC had a right to enforce its patent rights, but it reasoned the public’s interests weighed more heavily. It said Enzutrix is far cheaper for cancer patients who are not covered by medical aids. The court pointed out that the patent will expire within weeks.

The court found that withdrawing the generic would have direct and serious consequences for the patients who depend on it.

Zelda Venter

The Independent on Saturday

Judgment