South African labour legislation is on the verge of one of the most significant transformations in decades. Employers who fail to prepare for these proposed changes could face increased compliance obligations, substantial financial penalties and greater legal risk.
On 26 February 2026, the Minister of Employment and Labour published several draft Bills that propose [more…]
The implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) marks a significant change in how traffic infringements are managed in South Africa. While many motorists focus on the impact on individual drivers, employers and businesses operating company vehicles face a new level of responsibility.
For organisations with company cars, delivery vehicles, [more…]
An employee who is facing disciplinary action suddenly resigns with immediate effect. Sound familiar?
Many South African employers assume there is nothing more they can do once a resignation letter lands on their desk. Likewise, many employees believe that resigning “with immediate effect” automatically ends the employment relationship and prevents disciplinary [more…]
Employment Equity compliance in South Africa has entered a new era — and in 2026, the consequences of getting it wrong are more significant than ever. With the Employment Equity Amendment Act (Act 4 of 2022) now fully operational and mandatory sector numerical targets gazetted for 18 industries, designated employers face [more…]
Employing Undocumented Foreign Workers in South Africa is a serious compliance issue for employers. In South Africa, employers have a legal duty to ensure that all foreign employees are legally entitled to work. Failure to comply with the Immigration Act can expose businesses to fines, criminal sanctions, and serious reputational damage.
Employee Social Media Conduct has become a critical issue in the modern workplace as social media platforms blur the line between employees’ personal and professional lives. Employees post opinions, share experiences, and engage with public discourse at all hours — often without appreciating the legal and reputational consequences their conduct may have on [more…]
Cartrack’s emergency response and engagement with the bereaved family following the tragic death of an employee have attracted significant public attention, offering valuable insights into crisis management and stakeholder communication during times of tragedy.
The recent death of a Cartrack employee at the company’s Rosebank offices has generated widespread media coverage, public scrutiny, and [more…]
A fixed term contract is a written employment agreement that establishes a defined employment period from the outset. Unlike open-ended or permanent employment, it contains a built-in expiry mechanism — either a specific end date, the conclusion of a defined project, or a triggering event such as the return of [more…]
South African businesses face heightened legal and reputational risk following a stark warning issued by ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula on 26 May 2026. Speaking after the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) weekend meeting, Mbalula confirmed that the government will actively pursue and penalise companies found to be employing undocumented migrants. If your business employs foreign [more…]
The Draft Protected Disclosures Bill 2026 has recently been published by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development for public comment. The proposed legislation follows recommendations made by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into [more…]
The Department of Employment and Labour has published the Labour Law Amendment Bill, 2025 for public comment, proposing significant updates to South Africa’s employment law framework.
The proposed amendments affect several important statutes, including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), the Employment Equity Act (EEA), the [more…]
In a twist on the old movie industry saying of “hurry up and wait”, designated employers who have been waiting for clarity on the employment equity regulations must now shift into high gear. The long-awaited regulations have officially come into effect, signalling a move from voluntary to mandatory compliance as of [more…]
In Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa v Hoyo [2025] 2 BLLR 160 (LAC) the Labour Appeal Court (LAC) overturned the Labour Court’s (LC) finding that there had been unfair discrimination based on race. In this case, the employee alleged unfair discrimination because of unequal pay on the ground of race in that his [more…]
When employees are dismissed or abscond following suspected theft or misappropriation of funds, ex-employers often attempt to recover the lost funds from the ex-employee’s pension benefits. In such cases, time is of the essence, as ex-employees may try to withdraw their pension benefits quickly. To have a chance of recovering the lost monies, an ex-employer [more…]
The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) has ramped up its inspection raids, which remind employers to audit foreigners’ employment status to avoid being caught in violation of immigration, employment, and criminal laws.
This was outlined by legal experts at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH) Imraan Mahomed, Taryn York and Mapaseka Nketu.
Recently, Minister Nomakhosazana Meth reported nearly 2,900 inspections [more…]
Employers and businesses are to take note of the extended deadline set for 30 June 2024 to submit the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) Return of Earnings (ROE). The extension for the period covering 1 March 2023 to 29 February 2024 was announced in a Government Notice. In addition to [more…]
Suspension of Employees is a common occurrence in the workplace. Accordingly, Employers should be aware of the correct processes and procedures which must be complied with when suspending an Employee. In the same breadth Employees must be aware of their rights in order for the Employee to determine whether the suspension is fair or whether [more…]
On 19 August 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the National Qualifications Framework (NQF Amendment Act) Amendment Act 12 of 2019.
The NQF Amendment Act has implications not only for prospective employees and/or job seekers who misrepresent their qualifications but also for employers seeking to appoint such prospective employees or job [more…]
