Dear Subscribers,
Last week brought three important updates for your compliance and legal risk radar — please find all three documents linked below.
1. Client Alert: The Merchandise Marks Act — “Bok Friday, But Not For Sale”
With immediate effect (7 August – 12 September 2026), the 2026 Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour (Springboks vs All Blacks) is a protected event under section 15A of the Merchandise Marks Act. Unless you’re an authorised sponsor, using the Tour, the teams, or associated marks — including everyday words like “Bok,” “Bokke,” “Bokkie,” and “Bok Friday” — to promote your business is a criminal offence. This alert unpacks what’s left of the Act, how it interacts with the Trade Marks Act, CPA and Counterfeit Goods Act, what ambush marketing actually looks like in practice, and includes a compliance checklist. If your marketing team has anything rugby-themed planned before 12 September, please read this one first. (Merchandise-Marks-Act-Client-Alert_4)
2. Regulatory & Legislative Update, 10–14 August 2026
Our sector-by-sector roundup this week covers Cabinet’s approval of four significant Bills (illicit “zama zama” mining criminalisation, Legal Practice Amendment, Regulation of Trusts, and Conspiracy/Incitement offences replacing the Riotous Assemblies Act), plus the Small Claims Court jurisdiction increase to R30,000. Also inside: a 26% rise in Consumer Goods and Services Ombud complaints, the draft National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for comment, proposed trust-law and SARS refund-screening reforms, a FAIS Ombud disclosure case, a new mining right for Southern Palladium, progress on the Tobacco Products Bill, and Cabinet’s move toward 10-year driving licences. (Regulatory Legislative Update 10 14 August 2026 – Final)
3. Briefing Note: Gazette Watch — Detailed Notice Analysis (7–13 August 2026)
For those wanting the full legal detail, this briefing note works through all 15 notices published in the Government Gazette this week — from ICASA’s satellite spectrum hearings and community broadcasting licensing, to Liquor Products Act amendments, Customs and Excise Rules, and several Special Investigating Unit referrals — each analysed under our standard Summary / Legal Basis / Rationale / Practical Application / Stakeholder Implications / Actions / Conclusion structure. (briefing-note-gazette-2026-08-14-v3)
We’d encourage you to read through the attached documents in full for the detail relevant to your sector, and to reach out to your usual contact at Lee’s Compliance with any questions.
Kind regards,
Alison and The Legal Team