The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into South Africa’s justice system is not a question of whether, but how and when. The technology is already here and it is being used by legal practitioners, arbitrators, advocates, members of the judiciary, and increasingly by members of the public seeking to understand their rights. For South Africa, AI presents a compelling opportunity to address entrenched access to justice barriers. The technology’s most immediate promise lies in its capacity to reduce the cost of legal services. The enthusiasm for AI’s potential must be tempered by a clear-eyed assessment of its limitations and risks.…
Author: Martin Akuma
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The Competition Act 89 of 1998, as amended (Act) empowers the Competition Commission of South Africa (Commission) to conduct unannounced inspections where there are reasonable grounds to suspect participation in prohibited practices. The February 2026 raid in the scrap metal industry appears to be the Commission’s first publicly reported dawn raid post-Covid, signalling a potentially renewed enforcement focus and a likely increase in the deployment of this investigative tool. Companies should assume that a dawn raid is a realistic possibility and ensure that they are prepared to respond swiftly, lawfully and effectively if it occurs. The Competition Act 89…
Tracy-Lynn Ruiters|Published 1 week agoThe lives of babies, whom mothers are unable to care for, could be at further risk if a lifeline offered by organisations who has baby saver boxes on their doorstep, are cut by the government.These baby saver boxes, are hatches in the doors of these organisations, where mothers can safely drop their babies instead of abandoning them on the street, dustbins or drains. These hatches, once opened immediately triggers an alarm, allowing staff to safely retrieve the child and arrange care.The organisations Baby Savers South Africa and Door of Hope Children’s Mission, are seeking legal protection…
Mohammed Vachiat, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Konica Minolta South Africa. South African organisations are operating in an increasingly complex regulatory environment, where the secure management of personal information is both a legal obligation and a business-critical priority. As digital transformation accelerates, a key risk persists, fragmented systems and inconsistent data management practices that expose organisations to compliance failures and legal liability.In this context, the integration of digital record systems is no longer a matter of operational convenience, it is a legal imperative. The ability to access, manage and safeguard information in a controlled and auditable manner is central to…
ULUNDI – Public Service and Administration Minister, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, has urged legal institutions and law clinics to play a more active role by taking legal services directly to communities, ensuring that ordinary citizens can assert their rights and hold government accountable. Delivering the keynote address at the launch of the Open Government Challenge on Access to Justice in Ulundi on Tuesday, Minister Buthelezi acknowledged that government and leaders alike have fallen short in addressing persistent injustices faced by marginalised groups. He stressed that the initiative must go beyond policy and reporting, becoming a “living instrument” that transforms the daily…
By Tania Broughton Freedom Under Law has released a research paper laying out the challenges faced by the Constitutional Court. The apex court has become overburdened, with judgments being handed down late and backlogs mounting. The court’s caseload has increased since its mandate was expanded in 2012. The organisation offered several solutions, including merging the Constitutional Court with the Supreme Court of Appeal. Non-profit organisation Freedom Under Law (FUL) has warned that South Africa’s Constitutional Court is overwhelmed and facing a deepening institutional crisis. Backlogs are mounting and rulings are increasingly being handed down late. This is in part because the…
Thursday, April 2, 2026 Cabinet has expressed “disgust” at the so-called coronation of a Nigerian national as an alleged chief in KuGompo City, in the Eastern Cape. During a post-Cabinet media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday, Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said this was “a mere kindergarten gimmick” and that it “has no legal effect”. She said Cabinet confirmed that the establishment, recognition, and functioning of any traditional leadership structure are strictly governed by the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, which provides clear and non-negotiable procedures for legitimacy and recognition. “Cabinet noted the apology from the Nigerian High Commission on…
On March 15, 2026, the South African government formally acknowledged Israel’s response to the country’s written pleadings in the case of Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Indeed, South Africa was the first country to use the Genocide Convention against Israel for its actions in Gaza, a benchmark that positioned itself at the forefront of an international movement to hold Israel accountable for its genocide in Gaza. And yet just three days after the government acknowledged Israel’s response, a coal ship…
This article summarises the most significant proposed changes, with particular focus on the major amendments to the BCEA and the LRA. The BCEA was last amended in 2020 and the LRA was last amended in 2019. The Bill also amends the UIA to align parental benefits with the BCEA amendments. The BCEA: major proposed amendments On-call work: minimum safeguards for unpredictable scheduling A new framework is proposed for employees earning below the BCEA earnings threshold who are required to work only when work is made available (so called on-call or zero-hours workers). The reforms are designed to introduce predictability and…
Alistair notes that South Africa is moving towards a new era of water regulation as the National Water Amendment Bill progresses through the required parliamentary processes. The Bill proposes a range of far-reaching reforms to the National Water Act 36 of 1998, aimed at addressing inequity, misuse, and increasingly strained water resources. Alistair adds that, while these reforms are intended to modernise the water governance landscape, they may also introduce complex legal, operational, and economic implications for water users, municipalities, industries, and regulatory bodies. The article explores key issues arising from six significant proposed changes that are expected to impact…
