Legal news and commentary from the offices of Simon Dippenaar
We have covered the COVID-19 pandemic, as it relates to South Africa and the issues that concern South Africans, since the lockdown was first announced on March 27th. We have reported on gender-based violence, the alcohol ban, evictions, and the overall impact on economic prosperity. This report from UNDP on the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 […]
‘The level of violence against women is beyond just alcohol consumption,’ says Les Da Chef When lockdown began and the alcohol ban was announced, we expressed reservations. While done with the best of intentions, we were not convinced it would curb the widespread incidence of domestic violence, despite the known links between alcohol and gender-based […]
Both disinformation and misinformation can cause harm, but one is intentional Donald Trump may have coined the expression “fake news”, but the concept has been around a lot longer. From free airline tickets offered on Facebook to cures for COVID-19 circulating on WhatsApp, unless you’ve been living under a rock you’ve probably been the recipient […]
As lockdown restrictions ease, what does it mean for the rental market? Lockdown level 4 – are evictions allowed? The easing of the rigorous lockdown rules that governed us for five weeks was met with rejoicing by most South Africans, particularly those with dogs and athletes who were missing their daily runs/cycle rides. More business […]
Lockdown has led to high numbers of arrests. Here’s what to do if it happens to you. Locked up during lockdown? Lockdown has brought with it an increased number of arrests and incidents of police brutality. In the first three weeks of level 5 lockdown, more than 100 charges were laid against the police for […]
Lockdown is hard on everyone, but it’s self-evident that it is harder on some than others. Those who live in cramped, unsanitary conditions, those who live with a violent partner, those whose income has dried up – they all have it far worse than those of us working from comfortable homes. We are very careful […]
Two Cape Town parents, who are divorced, have won legal permission in court to travel in the father’s Land Rover to fetch their young children in a different province, to relieve their struggling grandparents. The story involves elderly grandparents, doing their utmost to care for their grandchildren – while both suffering medical difficulties themselves – […]
Why right now is a good time to make a will The current crisis is affecting different people in different ways. Some are having a great time, enjoying the break from work, cooking nice meals, drinking wine, and watching a lot of Netflix. Others are getting on with work, a bit disorientated by the lack […]
Posted on Apr 8, 2020 by Divorce Attorney Cape Town NEW DIRECTIVE ISSUED PERMITTING TRAVEL BETWEEN CO-PARENTS We are past the halfway point of lockdown. I doubt anyone would say it is flying by. For most, the lack of exercise, the absence of social contact, and the sheer monotony of staring at the same four […]
