Ask Athalie Banner

Answers to your questions

Have a question you would like answered? Email us and we may answer it. The questions here are based on ones from our readers, with identifying information removed.

Can refugees in South Africa apply for resettlement to another country?

Unfortunately not. UNHCR says that refugees are identified for Resettlement based on their protection needs.

Read more

What happens to my visa if I, a non-citizen, divorce from my permanent resident spouse?

The Director-General of Home Affairs can issue an order that will allow a foreign ex-spouse who applies for a visitorā€™s or relativeā€™s visa to stay in the country.

Read more

Can the payment on rental arrears be increased unilaterally by your landlord without negotiation and agreement with you?

It should be possible to come to an agreement about the payment of rental arrears, as well as to compel the landlord to repair the premises and refund you for repairs undertaken at your own expense.

Read more

Is interest that is automatically reinvested considered to be income for purposes of SASSA pension calculations?

Yes, interest that is automatically reinvested would be considered as income.

Read more

How can IĀ get a South African ID so that IĀ can further my studies?

If either of your parents has permanent residency in South Africa, you would qualify to apply for permanent residence too. Then after five years, you could apply for citizenship by naturalisation.

Read more

My landlord exploited and over-charged us because we only had a verbal lease agreement, and eventually evicted us. Can he get away with that?

You can lay a complaint against him at the rental housing tribunal and also against the estate agent who tried to evict you illegally.

Read more

My son has schizophrenia. SASSA has declined his disability grant application. What can I do?

Perhaps your most immediate action should be to appeal this denial.

Read more

What do I do now that the bargaining council has transferred my provident fund to my new employer?

Provident fund can only be paid if the industry of your new job is different from the industry of your old job.

Read more

How do I claim from a funeral policy if I donā€™t want to continue paying for the policy?

It depends on the kind of funeral policy you took out.

Read more

We need advice on how to manage the process of inheriting two properties from our late brother.

Agreement amongst the five siblings is key to dealing successfully with inheriting your late brotherā€™s properties. It is only the executor who has the right to deal with the deceased estate.

Read more