Understanding Year-End Bonuses in South Africa: What Employers and Employees Should Know

As South African businesses prepare to close the year, many employees begin anticipating year-end bonuses. However, it is important to understand that bonuses are not automatically guaranteed under South African labour law. Whether a bonus is payable depends entirely on the wording of the employment contract, workplace policies, or the specific bonus framework applied within […]
Beneficial Ownership Transparency and the Fight Against Illicit Financial Flows

Criminal networks and corrupt actors have long attempted to disguise the origins of unlawful funds by funnelling them into the legitimate financial sector. As traditional laundering techniques became easier for regulators to uncover, these actors shifted toward more intricate schemes. One of the most common strategies has been the exploitation of corporate structures, companies, trusts, […]
Appraisal rights of minority shareholders in a holding company when a subsidiary disposes of its assets

The Western Cape High Court recently revisited the scope of appraisal rights under the Companies Act 71 of 2008 in Cilliers v LA Concorde Holdings Limited and Others (WCC, case no 23029/2016, 14 June 2018, per Papier J). The case concerned a minority shareholder in a holding company seeking to rely on s 164 appraisal […]
Breaking Barriers: The Young Women Redefining Correspondent Law in Bloemfontein

We’re not your typical law firm, and we’re proud of it. At Mayet & Associates, we’re a powerhouse team of young women breaking barriers in the legal profession. Based in Bloemfontein, the judicial capital of South Africa, we’ve built a reputation as one of the leading Supreme Court of Appeal correspondent firms driven by precision, […]
When Can a Party Avoid Arbitration? Insights from the AIG v Molefe Decision

Introduction Arbitration is often praised for being faster and more confidential than court proceedings, but what happens when a dispute involves both arbitrable and non-arbitrable claims? A recent judgment by the High Court in AIG South Africa Limited v Brian Molefe (Gauteng Division, Pretoria, 1 August 2025) sheds light on this question and illustrates when […]
Settlement Clauses in Business Disputes: What the Van Rooyen Judgment Teaches Us

In an era where commercial disputes are increasingly resolved through negotiated settlements rather than lengthy litigation, the precision of contractual drafting has become more important than ever. Businesses are under growing pressure to ensure that their agreements are enforceable, practical, and free from ambiguity. Recent South African case law continues to shape this landscape, and […]
When Does Prescription Begin? Lessons from Tight Business Enterprise v Lordan

Understanding the Timing of Prescription in Contracts with Suspensive Conditions In South African contract law, few issues create more confusion than the intersection between prescription and suspensive conditions. When parties sign an agreement that is subject to a future condition, does the clock for prescription start ticking on the day of signature, or only once […]
The Renewal of Governance: South Africa’s New King Code and the Future of Ethical Leadership

The story of governance in South Africa has always been a moral one, a search for integrity in leadership and accountability in enterprise. Each version of the King Code on Corporate Governance has served as both a mirror and a guide, reflecting the values of its time while setting new expectations for ethical business conduct. […]
Influencers, Copyright & Shared Imagery: Key Lessons from a South African Case

A recent ruling in South Africa has cast a spotlight on how intellectual property laws apply in the influencer economy, specifically involving social-media personality Ntando Duma Mthombeni (Duma) and the agency Pixel Kollective (Pty) Ltd in Pixel Kollective (Pty) Ltd v Ntando Duma Mthombeni and MSL, decided on 15 September 2025. This judgement draws a […]
“Some Police Are Useless”: High Court Condemns Police Brutality and Upholds Victim’s Rights

A single sentence “some police are useless” led to a brutal assault, unlawful arrest and malicious prosecution. In Ratswene v Minister of Police, the Johannesburg High Court delivered a powerful judgment against police abuse, awarding R1.75 million in general damages and R65 000 for loss of earnings to the victim Acting Judge Ford condemned the […]