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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.

How can my father check for his deceased brother’s unclaimed investment with a bank?

You can access a deceased person's unclaimed funds through the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA).

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Is there a way to prevent my previous customary law wife from trying to claim my assets one day, now that I have married again under civil law in 2023?

The fact that the lobola was not paid in full before you split up, does not necessarily mean that you were not married. And if you were married under customary law, you may not marry under civil law.

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How can I make sure that the house my late wife and I shared will be inherited by our children and not my future wife?

You can negotiate an antenuptial contract with accrual with your new wife.

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How can I get an ID if I was born in South Africa to a foreign mother? My mother has an ID.

If your mother was not a citizen or permanent resident at the time of your birth, you qualify to be a South African citizen by birth if you have not lived anywhere else but South Africa.

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What do I do about Home Affairs not respondeding to my applications for an accompanying visa?

You'll need to get help from an organisation with experience in dealing with Home Affairs.

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The previous lawyer who dealt with my father's estate refuses to return money owed to us. What can we do?

You can lay a complaint with the Legal Practice Council.

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Can I be fired for smoking weed at home?

It's legal to smoke at home, but employers are allowed to regulate possession and use of dagga by employees.

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If a bank messes up and customers lose money, does the bank have to refund them even if they don't complain?

The Ombudsman for Banking Services has indicated that banks must rectify errors that result in losses to customers.

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How can I replace my matric certificate if it has been lost?

You can apply online to replace your lost or damaged certificate issued by Umalusi.

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Do I lose my UIF unemployment benefits if I claim sickness benefits?

Each time you claim benefits, the UIF cycle stops and then starts again when you return to work and resume paying UIF contributions.

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