Legal news and commentary from the offices of Simon Dippenaar
What constitutes discrimination? One of the principal tenets of our Constitution is equality under the law. The Bill of Rights is the cornerstone of the Constitution, and Section 9 deals with equality. Discrimination is covered in subsections 3-5, which state: (3) The state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or […]
Privacy and media law The right to privacy is a fundamental part of South African law, protected by the Constitution and other legislation. It allows individuals to control their personal information and keep certain details private, away from the eyes of the state or others. This can include information about home life, health and relationships. […]
What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine The government announced on Friday (16 April) that the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) is open for those over the age of 60. Vaccination of healthcare workers is ongoing and, though incomplete, will continue concurrently with the next phase of the roll-out. Registration is underway, but […]
Whatever your views on the alcohol ban and curfew, this is the opinion on the potential constitutionality or otherwise of the latest lockdown regulations. It is unfortunate that the irresponsible actions of a minority have deprived the majority of South Africans, who have maturely observed the rules and patiently waited for each small concession, of […]
How might COVID19 impact or even restrict our human rights? This weekend was Human Rights Day, and we observe and reflect on human rights throughout the month of March. But March 2020 is like no other in recent history. As a nation and as a global community we face a threat that, like human rights, […]
South Africans in their droves are standing up for what’s great about our country No one can deny that the last few months have been a tough time to be a South African…violence against women that seems unstoppable, xenophobic attacks, a weak rand, and a government that appears unable to address these and other issues […]
Illegal evictions and fatalities are calling cards of Red Ants At Cape Town eviction lawyers Simon Dippenaar & Associates (SDLAW), we were angered and saddened to learn of recent illegal actions by the Gauteng security company Red Ants. The Red Ants firm specialises in “urban management support services for human settlements”, and was established to […]
How Constitutional law is transforming eviction law Eviction | The Constitution is the backbone of society and South Africa is fortunate to have “the most admirable Constitution in the history of the world,” according to Harvard law scholar Cass Sunstein. Our Constitution is unique in that it includes “positive rights” which require the State to […]
