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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.

My boyfriend was injured at work and someone else claimed on his behalf and he didn't get anything. Please help us!

Your boyfriend or his lawyer need to fill in a request form from the Compensation Commission to ask them to re-open his case.

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Is it possible to stop garnishee orders that the lawyers who took over my unpaid school fee debt are threatening? I can't afford to pay anything more.

You should go and see the lawyers as soon as you can and try to negotiate a rate of payment that you can afford with them before they go to court for a garnishee order.

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I applied for an RDP house in 2002 but never received it, yet records wrongly show me as having received one.

Make a sworn affidavit stating that you have never benefited from any RDP house, submit it to your municipality, and escalate the matter to the MEC if necessary.

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My mother has right to live on a farm under ESTA, can I remain there after her death and would I be compensated for the house she built if I can't?

Only your mother that has permission to stay out her lifetime under ESTA provisions. The landowner is required to compensate you for the building of the house.

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Can a worker employed by a labour broker be ordered to undergo a polygraph test, and then be dismissed based solely on the results?

You could refer the dispute to the Labour Court for arbitration, on the basis that the employer, has effectively unfairly dismissed you.

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My parents abandoned me as a baby. Can my uncle who raised me help me submit something to Home Affairs so I can apply for an ID?

You could ask your uncle to make a sworn affidavit explaining the situation with your parents and that he raised you.

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My child lives in another province with his father. Will I need to travel there in order to help him get his ID?

Home Affairs will probably accept just the father's ID, as long as they take a copy of your ID and letter of your permission.

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How long will Home Affairs take to verify my partner's asylum paper so we can get married?

We recommend you contact the Refugee Social Services for assistance.

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Can I legally claim ownership of an RDP house sold to me by someone who isn't the deceased owner's legal heir?

If the deceased father did not leave a will, the law of Intestate Succession applies. If the son was not named on the title deed, he is not authorised to sell the house.

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My mother applied to the Tshiamo Trust after my dad died, but three years later she has just been told she can’t. Please help!

Your mother should probably lodge a request for a review of the Tshiamiso Trust decision.

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