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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.

Please note: GroundUp is just a news agency. We are not lawyers or financial advisors, and we have nothing to do with SASSA, Home Affairs, or any other government bodies. We do our best to make the answers accurate using publicly available information, but we cannot accept any legal liability if there are errors. If you notice any discrepancies, please email info@groundup.org.za.

A South African au pair agency misrepresented placement and refused to refund fees, how can I protect future applicants?

You can report them to the International Au Pair Association (IAPA) if the agency is a member.

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Can a school legally withhold my child’s report and force her to sign an acknowledgement of debt on behalf on a parent?

No. Section 41(7) of the Schools Act explicitly says schools may not withhold learners' report cards or take punitive measures against them over unpaid fees.

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How can I register my father's death and cancel his grant without having to go to SASSA?

You need report your father's death to Home Affairs and SASSA will be notified of his death and cancel his social grant.

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How can I make sure that my homeschooled child is able to write their NSC exams?

Homeschoolers can pursue the NSC through a formal CAPS curriculum provider or through a DBE-approved learning centre.

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I bought a used car and had an accident. My insurance claim was rejected, leaving me without a means to earn an income.

Apply for a new registration certificate and ask the insurer if they have the new address of the car dealership.

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How can I check if my deceased son's estate was overcharged by the executor, and whether the payout was lawful?

If the executor overcharged you, it would ideally be flagged by the Master's Office.

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My wife never received payslips from her employer, how will she receive her UIF benefits if it turns out her employer never registered her?

She can check if she is registered for UIF and if deductions have been made from her salary.

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Can my homeschooled 16-year-old apply to write the Adult Senior Certificate exams instead of the National Senior Certificate?

The Adult Senior Certificate is for people who are 21 years or older.

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I was supposed to received R600,000 from RAF after a car accident, I only received R31,000. What should I do?

Ask the RAF for a breakdown of how they calculated the R31,000, and perhaps seek legal advice from a personal injury lawyer.

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My mother was misled into signing away her inheritance by her stepmother. Can she contest this?

She needs to make an affidavit on how she came to sign the document and take it to the Master's Office to lodge a complaint.

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