Scorpion Legal Protection

Retrenched employee who has been retrenched carrying a box of his things in an office setting.

Everything You Need to Know About Your Retrenchment Package

Facing retrenchment can be a challenging experience but understanding your rights and the structure of your retrenchment package under South African labour law can help you make informed decisions.

Illustration of South African youth of various races

Understanding the Challenges Faced by South Africa's Youth & Honouring the Legacy of the 1976 Soweto Uprising

Scorpion Legal Protection delves into the challenges confronting South Africa's youth today – like unemployment, education, substance abuse, crime and violence – as we remember the 1976 Soweto uprising.

Illustration of an undocumented child and mother in South Africa

Undocumented Children's Right to Education in South Africa and the law

Scorpion Legal Protection discusses the complexities surrounding undocumented children's access to education in South Africa and what the law says.

Illustration of South African employee getting told he does not get overtime pay by his boss

Understanding the New 2024 Earnings Threshold in South Africa

Attention South African employees! Are you aware of the recent increase in the earnings threshold to R254,371.67 per year? Scorpion Legal Protection explains how this affects your rights, overtime pay, and more. Read here.

Illustration of an elderly South African cleaner getting fired

Navigating Age Discrimination: Understanding South African Law and Your Rights

Scorpion Legal Protection looks into the issue of dismissal based on age in South Africa, what the law says about this unlawful practice, as well as the steps that can be taken if you find yourself in this situation. Read here.

Illustration of South African woman looking at her credit score on her phone, shocked

How to Take Action Against Unfair Blacklisting

Unfair blacklisting happens, sometimes even if you’ve paid off the debt you owe. Scorpion explains how ‘blacklisting’ works, why this can happen and what you can do about it. Read here.

Illustration of South African metro police officer issuing a fine to motorist with city in the background

Getting A Traffic Fine Reduced Or Scrapped

What happens if you don’t pay your fines, how to get your traffic fine reduced or scrapped, and do fines expire… Scorpion Legal Protection answers some common questions about traffic fines and the law. Read here.

Illustration of five diverse Scorpion lawyers in an office setting

Human Rights in the Workplace

Human rights were hard fought for here in South Africa, and they extend far beyond our day of remembrance. Scorpion looks at how your human rights apply every day in the workplace. Read here.

Illustration of three minimum wage workers – security guard, domestic worker and farm worker

National minimum wage increase (effective 1 March 2024)

The Minister of Employment and Labour increased the national minimum wage by 8,5%, taking effect on 1 March 2024. Scorpion discusses who this affects, who is excluded and what other rules on hourly rates you should know about if you are a minimum wage worker. Read here.

Illustration of a couple in the workplace

Workplace Relationships

What happens when workplace relationships go sour, especially where one employee is the subordinate of the other? Does the law have anything to say on this or offer any protection? Scorpion Legal Protection discusses. Read here.

Illustration of South African parents with their child

Termination of parental rights and responsibilities in South Africa

No flowers and hearts, we’re talking about parental rights and responsibilities – what are they, who can apply to terminate them, and the legal process. Read here.

Illustration of an African man putting money in his wallet with a dejected-looking African woman in the background

Economic Abuse - The Silent Side Of Domestic Violence

Economic abuse is often overlooked when it comes to domestic violence. As South Africa observes 16 Days of Activism, Scorpion Legal Protection is shining a light on this less talked about, but significant, form of abuse, what it involves and the causes. Read here.

Illustration of a South African metro police officer writing a ticket with a blue car stopped in the background

4 Things That Will Get You Fined This December

On the road this holiday season? Use Scorpion Legal Protection’s checklist to avoid getting fined – or worse – this December. Read here.

Illustration of financially stressed South African parents

School Fees Exemption In South Africa

Struggling to afford school fees? Scorpion Legal Protection looks at the school fees exemption policy, the qualifying criteria, as well as the application process. Read here.

Illustration of an upset looking man receiving an insurance claim rejection

Avoid Car Insurance Claim Rejections

How to avoid potential car insurance claim rejections. Scorpion Legal Protection shares some advice on how to ensure you remain covered. Read here.

Illustration of husband hugging his pregnant wife from behind

New ruling on parental leave in South Africa

Scorpion Legal Protection explains the new judgment on maternity/paternity leave and how it could affect you. Read here.

Claiming from the RAF

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) is a government-run insurance scheme meant to provide compensation to all users of South African roads, including citizens, tourists and foreign nationals, who have suffered bodily injuries or to the dependants of those who have died as a result of reckless driving. Scorpion Legal Protection explains the claims process. Read here.

Illustrated woman crying in the workplace

Mental Health in the Workplace

With the month of October being Mental Health Awareness Month in South Africa, we at Scorpion Legal Protection think it’s important to share some useful tips regarding mental health in the workplace. Read here.

Illustration of couple agreeing to divorce

Uncontested divorce: the step-by-step legal process

Did you know that divorce doesn’t have to be a long, messy court battle? Scorpion Legal Protection explains the step-by-step process of uncontested divorce. Read here.

Illustration of two middle-aged African people fighting over their deceased father’s will

The Impact of Dying Without a Will in South Africa

When someone dies without leaving a will, those left behind will be left with additional admin, that could have been avoided, on top of their grief. Scorpion Legal Protection explains the problems that can arise from not having a will.

Illustrated African woman sitting at a table signing her last will and testament

What makes a will valid?

Having a valid will eliminates the need for costly and lengthy legal battles, it minimises the risk of family conflicts, and provides peace of mind knowing that your loved ones are taken care of when you pass away. Scorpion explains what needs to be included in your will for it to be valid. Read here.

Illustration of a crying woman at the police station

How to Report a Rape

Sexual assault and rape are traumatic crimes that occur frequently in South Africa. Scorpion will guide you through the process of reporting a rape step by step. Read here.

Illustration of two colleagues arguing in a non-smoking office

Smoke Breaks at Work: What SA Law Says

The Global Adult Tobacco Survey undertaken by the South African Medical Research Council in 2021 revealed that 11.1 million adults (41.2% of all men, and 11.5% of all women surveyed) smoke tobacco.
Scorpion explains what SA’s tobacco and labour laws have to say. Read here.

Crying woman showing police officer a picture of her missing child on her phone at the police station

How to report a missing person: A step-by-step guide

Scorpion’s step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of reporting a missing person in South Africa, outlining the necessary steps and providing tips to maximise the chances of a successful resolution. Read here.

Illustrated police officer assaulting a civilian on the highway

Understanding Your Legal Rights: A Guide for Those Assaulted by Government Officials

Knowing what you're entitled to can empower you and help you navigate a challenging situation with confidence. In this article, Scorpion breaks down the key aspects of your legal rights. Read here.

Distressed over-indebted man standing with his head in his hands

Debt review vs debt consolidation

If you are struggling to repay your debts, you may be considering either debt review or debt consolidation – they are not the same thing. Scorpion explains what these two terms mean so you can make an informed decision that is best for your specific debt situation. Read here.

Illustrated happy African couple back view looking at the house they just bought

10 Must-know homebuyer terms

Buying property is a big decision and expense, and can be complicated if you don’t know what’s what. Scorpion explains the terms you need to know. Read the article here.

Annoyed young man sitting behind laptop at work at night

Overtime hours according to the BCEA

Getting asked to do overtime? Know your rights. Scorpion explains what the BCEA says about overtime hours and pay.

Warehouse worker talking to his boss about working on the public holiday

Pay for work on public holidays

Has your employer asked you to work this public holiday? Here’s what you should know about getting paid.

SA work visas explained

Looking to apply for a work visa in SA? Scorpion explains the three types and what you need to know.

4 ways to spot a job scam

With our unemployment rate currently sitting at 32,9% (among the highest in the world), it’s no surprise that South Africans are desperate for work. Here are Scorpion’s 4 ways to spot a job scam.

Latest news for ZEP holders in South Africa

If you are currently in South Africa with a Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP), you may be worried about the June 2023 expiry date and what will happen. Scorpion explains what you need to do to remain in SA legally.

Metro police officer fining a motorist in South Africa

3 facts about metro police fines

Scorpion Legal Protection shares three must-know facts about metro police traffic fines.

3 tips for winning at the CCMA

Scorpion's labour legal specialists deal with matters that go to the CCMA on a daily basis. Read our lawyers’ tips for winning your CCMA case as an employee.

Man sitting on the couch with his feet up ignoring messages from boss on cellphone

Can I ignore after-hours work requests?

Can you ignore after-hours work WhatsApps, calls, emails or messages? Scorpion’s Specialist Labour Department lawyers answer.

Man talking to employer in the workplace asking for certificate of service

Certificate of Service Explained

What is a certificate of service, what should be in it and how do you get one – Scorpion explains.

Landlord yelling at non-paying tenant through the window

Previous owners won’t move out

What happens if you buy a bank repossessed house, and the current tenants don’t want to move out? Scorpion explains what to do.

South African man with his liquor licence standing behind the bar

Buying an RDP house

Thinking of buying an RDP house? Scorpion explains what you need to look out for.

Young man holding megaphone striking in protest South Africa

5 things you must know about strikes

Scorpion explains 5 things you should know about strikes in South Africa.

6 Liquor licence types in SA

Are you looking to apply for a liquor licence? Scorpion explains the 6 different types of licences here.

Understand your South African payslip

Your payslip is such an important document! Make sure you understand what’s in it. Scorpion breaks it down for you here.

Can you be forced to use WhatsApp for work?

Can you be forced to use WhatsApp for work? The answer isn’t actually that straightforward. Scorpion explains.

Illustrated minimum wage South African workers

National minimum wage increase

The new national minimum wage has officially come into effect. Scorpion explains what this means, who it applies to and what you can do if your employer won’t pay it.

Man being fired over WhatsApp, looking at his phone

Can you be fired over WhatsApp?

Can you be fired over WhatsApp? Scorpion answers.

Foreign national woman with child on her back

Can foreign national kids born in SA get citizenship?

If you are a foreign national, but your child was born in South Africa, is your child automatically a South African citizen? Scorpion answers.

Man standing outside UIF office to claim for short time

Can I get UIF benefits for short time?

Can you collect unemployment benefits if you get a pay cut on short time? Scorpion answers.

Are loadshedding pay cuts fair?

We all know loadshedding is affecting businesses badly, but can your employer cut your pay because of loadshedding? Scorpion answers.

Domestic workers in South Africa talking about minimum wage

More pay for domestic workers coming?

We could soon see a rise in the national minimum wage for domestic workers. Scorpion explains the proposed increase and goes over what you can do if your employer does not comply.

Suspended from school, what are your child’s rights?

Have you recently been called or notified by your child’s school that your child has been suspended and should not attend classes because they have breached the school’s code of conduct? Scorpion shares why this could be against the law.

School principal telling students about drug testing, search and seizure

Your child’s rights during search, seizure and drug tests at school

Searches, seizures and drug tests can legally be carried out at schools, but your child still has rights. Scorpion Legal Protection explains.

Illustrated schoolchild telling mother about his report and school fees

No school fees, no getting your results?

Can schools withhold the results of learners whose parents have been unable to pay school fees? Scorpion Legal Protection answers.

Man with thumbs up showing he has completed the travel checklist

Don’t skip these travel checks!

Going to be travelling this holiday season? Here’s Scorpion Legal Protection’s checklist to avoid legal and safety troubles.

Woman under debt review trying to apply for a loan

What is debt review?

There has always been some confusion about debt review, with many finding themselves being placed under the programme but not fully understanding how it will affect them. Scorpion shares some legal advice about debt review and what it means for you.

Woman sitting at desk checking her credit score online

5 reasons to check your credit report

When last did you check your credit report? Scorpion Legal Protection shares 5 reasons why checking your credit report regularly will allow you to stay in control of your life.

Man reading a text message from debt collector

Beware of claims on prescribed debt

Do you have a debt that you have forgotten about and suddenly you receive calls asking you to pay up? Scorpion explains what the law says and why you may not have to pay that debt.

Non-paying tenant arguing with landlord over rent money

How to get rid of bad tenants

We often talk about tenants’ rights, but landlords get taken advantage of as well, and can be stuck with bad, non-paying tenants who ruin their property. Scorpion explains how you can get rid of a tenant legally, so that you don’t find yourself in trouble with the courts at a later stage.

Woman opening a case of house break-in at the police station

3-step guide to reporting a break-in

About 1.4 million homes were broken into over the last year according to StatsSA. Here’s Scorpion’s quick 3-step guide to reporting a break-in.

Upset man talking to woman, finding out that his employer never paid pension contributions for him

Employer didn’t pay pension contributions

What happens when you realise that you may not be set up for a happy retirement because your employer has been making deductions from your salary but not paying over the contributions to the fund administrators? Scorpion Legal Protection talks about the laws that protect you and how to prevent this.

Man with arms in the air wondering what happens to his pension when he dies

What happens to your pension fund when you die?

What does your family need to know about accessing your pension fund should you die before you retire? Scorpion Legal Protection explains.

Worried person in unfair employer or CCMA disciplinary hearing in South Africa

Unfair disciplinaries: 5 situations

When is a disciplinary hearing unfair? Scorpion Legal Protection gives you 5 situations.

3 tips for first-time homebuyers

Buying your first home can be exciting – and costly. This is why Scorpion Legal Protection’s lawyers want to share their legal advice for first-time homebuyers.

Unhappy couple saying they are not going to pay rent if the landlord does not fix the burst geyser

Can I refuse to pay rent?

If your landlord isn’t holding up his end of the rental agreement by maintaining the property, why should you hold up yours by paying rent? Scorpion Legal Protection explains why withholding or refusing to pay rent isn’t the best choice.

Man talking on the phone to his landlord about him not maintaining the rental property

3 things your landlord must repair & pay for

What forms part of a landlord’s maintenance responsibilities? Scorpion Legal Protection gives you 3 things your landlord must pay for when it comes to maintenance and repairs of the rental property.

Man secretly recording a disciplinary hearing

2 facts about recording a disciplinary

Scorpion Legal Protection gives you 2 facts about recording a disciplinary hearing in South Africa.

Parents arguing over visitation rights and child maintenance not being paid in South Africa

No seeing my child if I can’t pay maintenance

If you can’t pay maintenance, can you be prevented from seeing your child? Scorpion Legal Protection answers.

Tenant arguing with landlord over her rental deposit refund as per her rental agreement

6 things your deposit cannot be used for

Ever wondered if your landlord is playing fair with your deposit for a rental property? Scorpion Legal Protection gives you 6 things your rental deposit may not be used for.

Tenant arguing with landlord about landlord's maintenance responsibilities

Landlord won’t fix it, what can I do?

Sethu’s landlord is not fixing the plumbing issues with their toilet, but still insists that he pays the full rent each month. What are the landlord’s and tenant’s rights and responsibilities here? Scorpion Legal Protection explains.

Friends talking about whether or not to accept the SARS auto-assessment SMS

Don’t just accept the SARS auto-assessment

You’ve gotten a SARS auto-assessment. It’s tempting to just accept it and move on, but you shouldn’t do this. Scorpion Legal Protection explains why.

Ex-employee laughing because she thinks she got away with stealing company property

Left job, kept laptop – is it stealing?

What happens if you leave your job and don’t give back the company laptop? What if they never ask for it back and you just keep it, is this stealing? Can they call the police on you? Technically, no, here’s why – Scorpion Legal Protection explains.

Unmarried couple living together talking about what you get if your partner dies

Living together unmarried, what are your rights?

You’re not married but you’re living together (called cohabitation). What are your legal rights if you separate? Do you have a claim on any monies? Scorpion Legal Protection gives you 3 must-know facts about cohabitation.

Employee on sick leave, blowing his nose in bed

5 things you must know about sick leave

Scorpion Legal Protection gives you 5 things you need to know about sick leave.

Worker injured on duty while at a work training event

Injured outside office, will I be able to claim?

What happens if you get injured while working, but you aren’t at the official work premises? Can you still claim? Scorpion Legal Protection answers a question posted by a follower on their Facebook page.

Man arguing over the phone with his cell phone provider about still getting billed despite cancelling contract

Cell phone contract ends but still getting bills

Have you or someone you know had their cell phone contract end but then still receive bills from the cell phone service provider? Scorpion Legal Protection tells you why that is and what you can do about it.

South African woman wondering what happens if she dies without a will

What happens if you don’t have a will?

If you don’t have a valid will, do you know what will happen to your estate? Scorpion Legal Protection explains.

Employer threatening worker to intimidate him into not joining a trade union

Boss says I can’t join trade union

Looking to join a trade union but afraid of what your employer might do? Maybe you’re worried you’ll be discriminated against or that your boss will start treating you badly because of it.

Couple smiling at each other after just signing their marriage contract

Marriage contracts: pros and cons

Looking to get married? Scorpion Legal Protection explains the pros and cons of the different types of marriage contracts.

Employee with no family responsibility leave left to attend a funeral in South Africa talking to her boss over the phone

Funeral long, leave too short: what to do

You take leave for a funeral, but things end up taking longer than you expected and now you need to extend your leave. Can your employer refuse? What if you take it anyway, can they fire you? Scorpion Legal Protection discusses.

Upset employee leaving because his employer fired him with immediate effect

Can you be fired with immediate effect?

Can you be fired “with immediate effect”? Yes and no. Scorpion Legal Protection explains.

Employee upset over being unfairly dismissed by his employer

5 times that being dismissed is unfair

Scorpion Legal Protection explains 5 times that being dismissed from your job is unfair and you can take legal action.

Man checking online if he is registered for UIF and if his employer is paying his UIF

Check if you are registered for UIF

Can you check if your employer has registered you for UIF and is paying over the UIF money they deduct from your pay? Yes. Scorpion Legal Protection explains how.

Retail worker asking employer if employees get an employment contract

Must I get an employment contract?

Is there a law that says employers must provide a formal employment contract to their workers? The answer may surprise you. Read Scorpion Legal Protection’s answer here.

Who qualifies for expungement of a criminal record?

Who qualifies for expungement of a criminal record? Scorpion Legal Protection breaks it down here.

Man smiling because he got a police clearance certificate for work

How to get a police clearance certificate

Need to get a police clearance certificate for criminal record, emigration, or travel and employment overseas? Scorpion Legal Protection explains the steps you need to take here.

Metro police officer intimidating driver

5 things officers may not do at a roadblock

It can be easy to feel intimidated at a roadblock. Scorpion breaks down 5 things officers may not do that you should know about.

Unhappy employee leaving the office because he has been retrenched for operational reasons

5 must-know retrenchment facts

Scorpion’s 5 must-know retrenchment facts to keep in mind in this tough economy.

Man stressing because he doesn’t know why his South African citizenship was rejected

Why citizenship can be rejected

What are the reasons why your application for South African citizenship could be rejected? Scorpion Legal Protection answers.

New tenants checking the lease agreement with their estate agent

3 things to check before signing: lease agreement

Your rental application has been accepted and you’re all ready to sign on the dotted line, but before you put your name to that legally-binding lease agreement, take a few minutes to go through Scorpion Legal Protection’s list of things to check before signing.

African man marrying South African woman for citizenship

Marrying for SA citizenship

Does marrying a South African get you South African citizenship? Scorpion Legal Protection answers.

Tenant checking rental agreement for hidden costs

4 hidden costs in your rental agreement

Stop! Before you sign your rental agreement, take 5 minutes to check Scorpion Legal Protection’s list of 4 hidden costs often snuck in.

Man interviewing for new job reading through his employment contract

2 surprises to look out for in your contract

About to sign a new employment contract? Make sure you aren’t surprised by these two things.

Woman interviewing for job, asking questions about her employment contract

3 things to check before signing: employment contract

About to sign a new employment contract? Scorpion Legal Protection says you must check these three things first.

Employee checking his payslip for unlawful deductions

Deductions allowed on your pay

Money missing on your payslip? Scorpion Legal Protection explains what deductions your employer is and isn’t allowed to make.

Man unhappy over deductions his employer made from his pay

Pay deductions without notice

Reginald* says his employer just deducted money from his pay, without him knowing or signing anything! Azikhiphi! Scorpion Legal Protection takes a look at the matter.

Shocked man reading a letter of suspension he received for theft

Is suspension for theft fair?

Apart from yelling at him and humiliating him in front of customers, Reggie’s* boss accused him of theft, and then gave him a letter of suspension. Is this fair? Scorpion Legal Protection explains.

Confused man wondering how to become the legal owner of a property

Becoming legal owner of land/property

How do you become the legal owner of land/property? It’s not just as simple as getting the original ownership documents. Scorpion Legal Protection explains the role of conveyancers and tips for making sure the process runs smoothly.

Sad man with dependent children wondering how to claim provident fund money from his deceased sister’s estate

Claiming provident fund benefits

Julius’s* sister, who was working as a cleaner at the time, died and left behind dependent children. He wants to know if he can claim the money from her provident fund. Scorpion Legal Protection explains how provident fund money is paid out.

Legal Articles

Everything You Need to Know About Your Retrenchment Package

Understanding the Challenges Faced by South Africa's Youth & Honouring the Legacy of the 1976 Soweto Uprising

Undocumented Children's Right to Education in South Africa and the law

Understanding the New 2024 Earnings Threshold in South Africa

Navigating Age Discrimination: Understanding South African Law and Your Rights

How to Take Action Against Unfair Blacklisting

Getting A Traffic Fine Reduced Or Scrapped

Human Rights in the Workplace

National minimum wage increase (effective 1 March 2024)

Workplace Relationships

Termination of parental rights and responsibilities in South Africa

Economic Abuse - The Silent Side Of Domestic Violence

4 Things That Will Get You Fined This December

School Fees Exemption In South Africa

Avoid Car Insurance Claim Rejections

New ruling on parental leave in South Africa

Claiming from the RAF

Mental Health in the Workplace

Uncontested divorce: the step-by-step legal process

The Impact of Dying Without a Will in South Africa

What makes a will valid?

How to Report a Rape

Smoke Breaks at Work: What SA Law Says

How to report a missing person: A step-by-step guide

Understanding Your Legal Rights: A Guide for Those Assaulted by Government Officials

Debt review vs debt consolidation

10 Must-know homebuyer terms

Overtime hours according to the BCEA

Pay for work on public holidays

SA work visas explained

4 ways to spot a job scam

Latest news for ZEP holders in South Africa

3 facts about metro police fines

3 tips for winning at the CCMA

Can I ignore after-hours work requests?

Certificate of Service Explained

Previous owners won’t move out

Buying an RDP house

5 things you must know about strikes

6 Liquor licence types in SA

Understand your South African payslip

Can you be forced to use WhatsApp for work?

National minimum wage increase

Can you be fired over WhatsApp?

Can foreign national kids born in SA get citizenship?

Can I get UIF benefits for short time?

Are loadshedding pay cuts fair?

More pay for domestic workers coming?

Suspended from school, what are your child’s rights?

Your child’s rights during search, seizure and drug tests at school

No school fees, no getting your results?

Don’t skip these travel checks!

What is debt review?

5 reasons to check your credit report

Beware of claims on prescribed debt

How to get rid of bad tenants

3-step guide to reporting a break-in

Employer didn’t pay pension contributions

What happens to your pension fund when you die?

Unfair disciplinaries: 5 situations

3 tips for first-time homebuyers

Can I refuse to pay rent?

3 things your landlord must repair & pay for

2 facts about recording a disciplinary

No seeing my child if I can’t pay maintenance

6 things your deposit cannot be used for

Landlord won’t fix it, what can I do?

Don’t just accept the SARS auto-assessment

Left job, kept laptop – is it stealing?

Living together unmarried, what are your rights?

5 things you must know about sick leave

Injured outside office, will I be able to claim?

Cell phone contract ends but still getting bills

What happens if you don’t have a will?

Boss says I can’t join trade union

Marriage contracts: pros and cons

Funeral long, leave too short: what to do

Can you be fired with immediate effect?

5 times that being dismissed is unfair