https://www.webberwentzel.com//Pages/RSS-Feeds.aspx Webber Wentzel feed en-us Copyright 2020 Sun, 16 Aug 2026 18:04:37 +0200 Sample Code http://server/image.jpg https://www.webberwentzel.com//Pages/RSS-Feeds.aspx b5d811fc-bfbd-40ae-8d32-ab3648415364 3cb0fb2e-b22a-4771-a415-1f4d80a3f65d https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/mauritius-reborn-navigating-the-new-anti-corruption-landscape.aspx Mauritius has embarked on its most ambitious anti-corruption reform in decades. The establishment of the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC), along with new legal liabilities, suggest a paradigm shift. 2025-07-28T22:00:00Z c8d15f53-8a6d-4c0a-a26d-ec5ab25a7eb1 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/virtual-assets-regulation-in-southern-africa-a-regional-comparative-analysis.aspx Virtual Assets, digital assets, crypto assets all refer to the same concept, namely a digital representation of value. This guide examines the development of the regulatory regime for virtual assets across the southern region of Africa. 2025-07-28T22:00:00Z 71bc7c60-b3a3-4c83-9575-5599bde2b4b7 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/national-treasury-proposes-further-companies-act-amendments-in-connection-with-disclosure-of-companies-shareholding.aspx On 19 December 2024, the National Treasury published the Draft General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing) Amendment Bill, 2024 (Draft Bill) for public comment. 2025-01-13T22:00:00Z e63abe3d-28e3-4a17-80e1-3628e29a5a1b https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/protecting-your-personal-information-when-gaming.aspx Since its inception in the 1950s, video gaming has grown infinitely more popular, advanced, commercialised, and certainly more legally complicated. 2024-09-17T22:00:00Z 34bab99d-89e5-424d-b535-e9c2c2222b8c https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/webber-wentzel-recognised-at-the-2024-african-legal-awards.aspx Webber Wentzel's excellence in Competition, Intellectual Property and Tax law, combined with an innovative approach to legal services, was recognised at the 2024 African Legal Awards held at the Houghton Hotel on Friday, 6 September 2024. 2024-09-08T22:00:00Z f02dbce4-b423-4398-bdf2-07cef9d2e971 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/proposed-update-to-schedule-6-of-the-medicines-and-related-substances-act.aspx The Minister of Health in terms of section 22A(2) of the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965 and on the recommendation of the SAHPRA, has invited interested persons to submit substantiated comments or representations on the proposed update of Schedule 6 to the Medicines Act. 2024-03-11T22:00:00Z 2d021db8-cc76-4118-b88f-bfea16b6f5cf https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/proposed-amendments-in-the-national-water-amendment-bill-mining-company-directors-take-heat.aspx With the Mining Indaba fast approaching, mining companies should prioritise understanding the new director liability provision proposed in the National Water Amendment Bill (Water Bill), published on 17 November 2023. 2024-02-05T22:00:00Z 6d0a9e7a-f753-4ec8-9632-43eadf1ecff0 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/recent-legal-developments-relevant-to-private-equity.aspx In this overview, our experts highlight and provide insights on recent legal developments in tax, corporate, B-BBEE, competition, financial regulatory, projects, and employment that are relevant to private equity. 2023-12-03T22:00:00Z 19e9541e-c672-4c4a-9170-9194137ef5ba https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/protection-of-child-clause-in-cannabis-bill-what-it-means-and-why-it-is-important.aspx Written comments have been invited on the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill, in which it is proposed to insert a “protection of child” clause. 2023-10-10T22:00:00Z 380784ae-1823-4003-8c41-3e88ecdf27a6 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/webber-wentzel-won-the-competition-and-regulatory-team-of-the-year-award-at-the-2023-african-legal-awards.aspx Webber Wentzel won Competition and Regulatory Team of the Year at the 2023 African Legal Awards for advising Heineken International B.V. on its acquisition of South African wine and spirits maker, Distell Group Holdings Limited and its acquisition of NBL Investment Holdings (Pty) Limited, the holding company of Namibia Breweries Limited. 2023-10-02T22:00:00Z 6f217a50-aa05-47ff-a7a0-9843110f6106 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/company-law-changes-gather-momentum-a-snapshot-of-the-key-proposed-amendments-in-the-companies-amendment-bills-2023.aspx Two Companies Amendment Bills have been introduced in Parliament, heralding important changes for company law in South Africa. While several of the proposed changes are welcome, ambiguities remain. This snapshot explores some of the key proposed amendments. 2023-09-05T22:00:00Z 2fd2306d-7a3a-43e2-b851-3267ded2d7a5 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/webber-wentzel-scoops-most-awards-at-the-2023-african-legal-awards.aspx The African Legal Awards took place at The Hilton on Friday, 1 September, where we were awarded several prestigious awards, making us the biggest winners of the evening. 2023-09-03T22:00:00Z 86da0a12-ccd2-4bae-8ea2-e46656dd5eae https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/certain-provisions-of-financial-intelligence-centre-amendment-act-2017-come-into-force.aspx Sections of the FICA Amendment Act have come into force, including reporting requirements for international funds transfers and a new definition of trust and company service providers 2023-08-23T22:00:00Z 860be85a-bf26-434f-b666-bb75df7ac671 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/women-in-sport-extensive-action-needed-to-support-policy-considerations.aspx The recently-published Draft Policy on Women in Sport identifies a number of barriers to women entering and excelling in sports but fails to propose any concrete actions to tackle these issues. 2023-08-23T22:00:00Z 6672c23c-585f-49c2-81a6-c1d9b573cbc5 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/proposed-revisions-to-water-use-licensing-legislation-envisage-significant-reforms.aspx Amended procedural requirements for water use licence applications have been drafted and published. Some proposals are positive, although some will be onerous. 2023-08-17T22:00:00Z fb3dd4b2-e249-42c3-b1f5-5459eacd5fcf https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/national-biodiversity-offset-guideline-finally-published.aspx The National Biodiversity Offset Guideline has been published. It specifically applies to applications for environmental authorisations but can be used by authorities making other decisions that may involve biodiversity offsetting. 2023-08-17T22:00:00Z 479297f3-b40f-40b1-a5df-143448f6936a https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/tobacco-bill-will-have-far-reaching-consequences-for-the-industry-and-economy.aspx The government is currently considering the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, which will regulate the display, promotion and packaging of traditional tobacco products and electronic delivery systems. 2023-08-16T22:00:00Z 3f0e5d0c-6cf1-4a0f-8e56-918548bfe474 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/blockchain-makes-crypto-asset-transactions-transparent-and-traceable.aspx At the 2023 Digital Assets and Sanctions Compliance Conference, Lerato-Lamola Oguntoye participated in a panel discussion on the regulation of crypto assets in South Africa and globally. The conference highlighted how distributed ledger technology/blockchain potentially diminishes anonymity in crypto-asset transactions. 2023-07-25T22:00:00Z 90f70e03-0342-4f3b-82b2-9b50ae50222f https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/new-advertising-infomercial-and-programme-sponsorship-regulations.aspx ICASA has published new regulations governing advertising, infomercials and programme sponsorship. The regulations are binding on Broadcasting Service Licensees and come into operation on 29 December 2023. 2023-07-19T22:00:00Z e10f71f9-db1e-4616-a2ff-f8c07cd853db https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/paia-deadline-for-section-83-4-report-less-than-a-week-away.aspx The Information Regulator published a notice on 7 May 2023, inviting all private bodies to submit a report by Friday, 30 June 2023, detailing requests for access to the records of these private bodies. 2023-06-22T22:00:00Z a793765f-17cf-46c5-8f75-ea02aa1c69aa https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/webber-wentzel-embraces-generative-ai-as-part-of-its-ongoing-innovation-journey.aspx Webber Wentzel is taking the lead on responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) investment within the African legal landscape as part of its continued commitment to deliver an exceptional client experience and foster an open, creative, and entrepreneurial culture. 2023-06-22T22:00:00Z ad6525b9-8f45-4938-b392-17fccfabc580 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/the-national-health-insurance-bill.aspx With the National Health Insurance Bill having recently been approved by the National Assembly, many questions and concerns about the practical implementation of the scheme remain unresolved. 2023-06-14T22:00:00Z e215f7c1-1188-41bc-9794-2c810aa720e4 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/supreme-court-of-appeal-strikes-out-the-mandatory-audit-firm-rotation-rule.aspx In a significant judgment for the auditing profession, the Supreme Court of Appeal has ruled that the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors did not have the power to mandate audit firm rotation 2023-05-30T22:00:00Z a4013f67-989f-40d1-b058-b7b9e4cc5d7c https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/private-equity-firms-rise-above-global-economic-stress.aspx PE is vital to the Southern African economy for a number of reasons. It drives job creation, acts as a catalyst for genuine economic transformation and attracts foreign investment. 2023-05-28T22:00:00Z 3221d314-5f27-4d28-a4a6-9c60e60498b6 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/call-for-submissions-proposed-amendments-to-the-cannabis-for-private-purposes-bill-2023.aspx The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services has invited stakeholders and interested persons to provide feedback on the most recent proposed amendments to the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill 2023 [B19 – 2020], which inter alia, broadens the scope of the Bill to include provisions relating to commercial hemp activities. 2023-04-23T22:00:00Z bed16ab6-fd17-4e33-92a4-1da540de4afa https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/south-africa-has-been-grey-listed-what-are-the-implications-for-the-country-going-forward.aspx South Africa’s greylisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has significant implications for its economic growth and global competitiveness, but moves are already being taken to satisfy the FATF 2023-02-23T22:00:00Z 983c01c0-17b1-43e5-8b18-374e7ca7e788 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/grey-clouds-for-now-and-not-a-downpour-south-africa-attempts-to-stave-off-proposed-greylisting.aspx Fears that South Africa's place on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list was cemented as a consequence of its inadequate controls to counter money-laundering and financing of terrorism activities. 2023-02-08T22:00:00Z 984a318f-0326-4bf2-9c1e-80c542957b1e https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/minister-mantashe-looks-to-mining-investors-to-solve-load-shedding-logistics-problems-facing-sa.aspx The keynote welcome speech by Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, at Mining Indaba 2023 today was a straightforward acknowledgement of some of the current issues facing the mining industry. 2023-02-07T22:00:00Z a907b9a1-6e99-4637-94d2-3e3f7c62e394 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/webber-wentzel-recognised-as-2022-south-africa-law-firm-of-the-year-by-top-ranked-legal.aspx Webber Wentzel has been awarded the 2022 South Africa Law Firm of the Year in the EMEA Awards by Top Ranked Legal. 2022-12-20T22:00:00Z b1123376-e29c-4d36-b835-c6731860e191 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/financial-services-regulation-monthly-update-november-2022.aspx ​​​Keep up to date on key Financial Services Regulation developments in South Africa during November 2022. 2022-12-04T22:00:00Z 618046bd-0428-42b0-93be-809ac4239e10 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/the-jse-moves-forward-with-its-consultation-paper-proposals-to-amend-the-listings-requirements.aspx After publishing its Consultation Paper and Response Paper with broad proposals to reform the Listings Requirements in light of international developments and make listing on the exchange more attractive, the JSE proposes to introduce a weighted voting share structure offering and amend its free float requirements and SPAC provisions. 2022-11-16T22:00:00Z c552ccef-0767-4132-93ce-5fcc44fa4e79 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/webber-wentzels-2022-financial-services-round-up.aspx In September 2022, experts from our Financial Services Sector Group across our Johannesburg and Cape Town offices, hosted a Financial Services round up, to unpack key insights on the below issues that impact the sector: 2022-11-14T22:00:00Z 9869fb71-e733-40a1-8c69-70db04a82b0f https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/financial-services-regulation-monthly-update-october-2022.aspx Keep up to date on key Financial Services Regulation developments in South Africa during October 2022. 2022-11-03T22:00:00Z d2fb173c-8796-4d94-94df-6113421ec69d https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/webber-wentzel-won-the-african-legal-awards-for-african-law-firm-of-the-year.aspx Webber Wentzel has been named African Law Firm of the Year (Mid-Large Sized Practice) at the 2022 African Legal Awards. 2022-10-23T22:00:00Z de86b894-4126-4d3e-af9d-9453879d2eb4 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/financial-services-regulation-monthly-update-september-2022.aspx Keep up to date on key Financial Services Regulation developments in South Africa during September 2022. 2022-10-02T22:00:00Z 12262408-3596-49a3-8b42-71f2efbd7207 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/webber-wentzel-won-the-african-legal-awards-m-and-a-team-of-the-year.aspx Webber Wentzel won the African Legal Awards M&A Team of the Year for advising on the joint venture between Sanlam Limited, its subsidiaries, and Allianz BV, a subsidiary of Allianz SE. 2022-09-25T22:00:00Z 979592b2-01f9-434f-9afb-e2613842b6bf https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/how-will-amendments-to-fica-schedules-1-2-and-3-apply-to-credit-providers.aspx Amendments to schedules 1,2 and 3 of FICA will see the inclusion of credit providers as accountable institutions. 2022-09-13T22:00:00Z 7d740edd-a458-4765-b208-4e00fff7eb2a https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/regulators-take-steps-to-encourage-esg-in-the-financial-services-industry.aspx The FSCA is taking a number of steps, beyond introducing amendments to Regulation 28, to encourage pension funds to invest in green and other ESG investments. 2022-09-11T22:00:00Z acedcd12-369d-49d5-ba07-7eab6095db2e https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/esg-disclosure-framework-in-the-pipeline-for-south-african-financial-services-companies.aspx The South African Reserve Bank will shortly issue a draft sketching an ESG disclosure framework for the financial services organisations that it supervises. 2022-09-11T22:00:00Z f8086e8f-f5db-45f0-bdb1-b366851141c9 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/amendments-proposed-to-the-100mw-licensing-exemption-and-registration-requirements-in-the-electricity-regulation-act-2006.aspx Proposed amendments to the Electricity Regulation Act will amend the licensing exemption and registration requirements for generating, trading, transmitting, and distributing electricity. 2022-09-11T22:00:00Z dd6a2930-5f7d-4614-a043-8325ac0c0988 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/do-androids-recognise-electric-sheep-south-africa-recognition-of-blockchain-arbitration-agreements.aspx The enforceability of (foreign) blockchain arbitrations under South Africa's international arbitration regime might be difficult but there are possible solutions. 2022-09-11T22:00:00Z 9da23cef-dc10-49af-a1ae-49a17bef1edd https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/whistleblowing-in-africa.aspx The Webber Wentzel Dispute Resolution Team is proud to present this whistleblowing cross-jurisdictional guide. It focuses on 9 key questions across 8 African jurisdictions. 2022-09-07T22:00:00Z 0bff21f4-528b-457a-b19a-dbe5261dd4fc https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/financial-services-regulation-monthly-update-august-2022.aspx Keep up to date on the most important Financial Services Regulation developments in South Africa during August 2022. 2022-09-04T22:00:00Z 97cd50d4-56a4-4e94-9e9d-b4d03d57e707 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/update-cabinet-approves-the-general-laws-anti-money-laundering-and-combating-terrorism-financing-amendment-bill.aspx The General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing) Amendment Bill, 2022, which will make the necessary changes to avoid South Africa being “greylisted”, has been tabled. 2022-08-31T22:00:00Z 8a91996b-3e91-43bc-822f-037bd397ec9b https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/significant-changes-to-transformation-in-the-workplace-set-for-1-september-2023.aspx The Employment Equity Amendment Bill which proposes wide-reaching changes to the regulation of transformation in the workplace will be signed into law imminently according to the Department of Employment and Labour's Acting Deputy Director-General of Labour Policy and Industrial Relations, with 1 September 2023 as the effective date. 2022-08-31T22:00:00Z 6b6bc280-6f8e-4173-abd5-98c1a8166ff3 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/new-critical-skills-list-provides-relief-for-foreign-professionals-in-the-healthcare-sector.aspx The revised Critical Skills List extends the opportunity to obtain critical skills visas and permanent residence permits to various professionals in the healthcare sector effective from 2 August 2022 2022-08-04T22:00:00Z 4df6ea15-870f-4ab8-8a4c-20482ab96e3b https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/consumers-enforce-their-rights-against-online-retailers.aspx A sharp increase in consumer complaints about online shopping in 2020-21 reflects many retailers’ inability to cope with the surge in demand during the Covid-19 pandemic. 2022-08-03T22:00:00Z b87d0806-9783-4adf-8fa2-05ffd4f572a3 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/final-draft-of-the-replacement-nema-financial-provisioning-regulations-published.aspx The fourth draft of the replacement FP regulations is out, presenting the final opportunity to comment on the replacement regulations to be published ahead of the September 2023 deadline for compliance. 2022-07-27T22:00:00Z 4de3085d-f38b-4970-a4dc-a67b65f4709d https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/nemlaa-iv-extends-environmental-enforcement-powers-at-municipal-level.aspx NEMLAA IV is finally law and once this Act is promulgated, municipal managers will have a say in the enforcement of the all- important environmental duty of care provision of NEMA. 2022-07-05T22:00:00Z ccbe5d55-61c4-4879-8152-d8748b1c47dd https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/new-artisanal-and-small-scale-mining-and-mine-community-resettlement-guidelines-progress-but-grey-areas-remain.aspx The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has published two key policy documents dealing with artisanal and small-scale mining and resettlement as a result of mining. 2022-04-25T22:00:00Z 6d234239-2f30-4d0e-a87e-6c494826a910 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/22-legal-developments-for-businesses-to-monitor-in-2022.aspx We have collated a snapshot of key themes to track in 2022 and of 22 legal developments for the year which you will need to keep a tab on. In 2022, various legal developments are expected to have an impact on businesses, particularly in the fields of liability, ESG, digital and economic transformation. 2022-03-22T22:00:00Z 7463a659-a8ae-497b-96aa-ac272c3d723a https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/sa-procurement-regulatory-regime-finds-itself-in-muddy-waters.aspx Regulatory uncertainty abounds in the procurement space after the recent Constitutional Court judgment upholding the Supreme Court of Appeal's decision to invalidate the 2017 Preferential Procurement Regulations. 2022-03-21T22:00:00Z 6755d0ed-566f-4305-9ad6-95292fae9227 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/webber-wentzel-recognised-in-chambers-global-2022.aspx Earlier this year, Webber Wentzel was awarded South Africa Law Firm of the Year at the Chambers Africa Awards 2022. Yesterday, Chambers Global released its 2022 results, ranking law firm practices and lawyers according to their client service, commercial vision, business understanding, diligence and value for money. 2022-02-17T22:00:00Z e636e39c-e5b1-4fa3-8580-ef0384fb4e6b https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/south-african-law-year-to-come-2022-and-year-in-review-2021.aspx Webber Wentzel has contributed to the Linklaters' global guide series - Year to Come 2022 and Year in Review 2021. The series brings together analysis, thinking and highlights from lawyers around the world across multiple jurisdictions, in the form of topic-specific and jurisdictional guides. 2022-01-17T22:00:00Z 5e41b506-73e7-4945-b0d8-0ac80fe61f17 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/icasa-market-inquiry-into-signal-distribution-services-in-south-africa.aspx ICASA has published notice of its intention to conduct an inquiry into competition in signal distribution services and is inviting questions from the public on clarity by 4 October 2021. 2021-09-22T22:00:00Z b24eed03-625f-4302-9a81-63932aead3d7 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/a-journey-of-growth-and-success.aspx Webber Wentzel Senior Partner Christo Els and Managing Partner, Sally Hutton, chat to Tom Pearson in a podcast focussing on the growth and success of one of Africa’s foremost law firms. 2021-08-09T22:00:00Z 6c2d5c6c-c92a-4871-b81a-5f20c5436c23 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/riots-in-sa-what-happens-under-a-state-of-emergency-declaration.aspx If the President decides to declare a state of emergency as a result of the recent extensive looting and unrest, it will be different from those declared during apartheid 2021-07-14T22:00:00Z c90312f0-fc36-42f6-bd10-e56118cd8e84 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/sa-hopeful-that-vandalised-telecoms-infrastructure-will-be-protected-by-the-sandf.aspx The civil unrest in South Africa has resulted in numerous telecommunications and broadcasting infrastructure being destroyed. Members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have now been instructed to protect property and national key points, including critical infrastructure such as telecommunications networks. 2021-07-14T22:00:00Z 9ca16419-909a-4368-8a96-eecb746e67f6 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/food-safety-in-south-africa-and-the-need-for-an-appointed-Regulator.aspx Plans to create a food safety regulatory authority would benefit both consumers and the food and beverage industry, by reducing costs of compliance and strengthening confidence in food products 2021-07-05T22:00:00Z 72daec56-1a76-4fe1-827c-97b3121f8256 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/the-complexities-of-group-governance.aspx The Insurance Act provides a useful framework for governance of increasingly complex and multi-product financial services groups 2021-04-29T22:00:00Z c589b2ac-6a58-487f-86ef-6b666ffb92d4 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/jse-consultation-paper-proposes-amendments-to-the-listings-requirements.aspx The JSE has issued a consultation paper proposing changes to the Listings Regulations to cut red tape and achieve an effective, fit-for-purpose set of regulations for financial markets 2021-04-21T22:00:00Z 7b9ee370-ded0-4a8f-a7b7-4b66ac341b94 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/final-regulations-to-transform-the-ict-sector-have-been-passed.aspx Final regulations to facilitate transformation and diversity in the ICT sector have been published. They expand on key requirements in the draft regulations published in February 2020 2021-04-11T22:00:00Z 4685766a-2c97-489f-9b26-ddfe1f10162a https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/final-sports-broadcasting-services-amendment-regulations-passed.aspx The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has recently published the long-awaited and somewhat controversial Sports Broadcasting Services Amendment Regulations. Overall, what was published aligns with international practice. 2021-04-06T22:00:00Z 252ca0dc-6c94-4a2c-8845-8b5ab70c10e5 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/sa-lets-do-business-ebook.aspx ​A tailored and on-the-ground perspective for business in South Africa and those looking to invest in South Africa. 2021-02-28T22:00:00Z 0c771595-3525-4f7b-a1ba-1d2700902d1a https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/south-africa-tmt-sector-faces-legal-challenges-and-opportunities-in-2021.aspx Three topics will top the list of priorities for executives in the technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) sector in South Africa in 2021. They are cyber security, B-BBEE and the allocation of high frequency radio spectrum to enable the roll-out of 5G. 2021-02-24T22:00:00Z 6b1b0edd-dc0f-4c0e-8eb5-8323062d7d2c https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/webber-wentzels-expertise-recognised-by-chambers-global.aspx Chambers Global has released their 2021 results. Webber Wentzel had an exceptional year with key highlights. 2021-02-21T22:00:00Z fd3bbbc1-45e5-45d1-8bbf-770007c62c63 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/21-legal-developments-for-businesses-to-monitor-in-2021.aspx We have collated a snapshot of key themes to track in 2021 and of 21 legal developments for the year which you will need to keep a tab on. 2021-02-17T22:00:00Z a15d30f5-2e89-460b-ad82-fc6f403fae07 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/treatment-of-broadcasting-rights-in-the-two-largest-markets-in-sub-saharan-africa.aspx Broadcasting rights are and have continually become a source of vibrant discussion amongst the various key players, notably the broadcast rights holders, and regulatory authorities trying to find a delicate balance between what oftentimes are competing interests. 2021-01-28T22:00:00Z 050a0e8b-b312-477f-9e13-dc654a0e36d0 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/good-job-minister-mantashe-now-more-of-the-same.aspx Minister Gwede Mantashe and his Department of Mineral Resources and Energy should be complimented for working hard through varying lockdown levels and a personal bout of Covid-19. 2021-01-28T22:00:00Z 6b96aa49-3e8e-45dd-b813-4b610280f4bd https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/linklaters-global-guide-year-in-review-2020-and-year-to-come-2021.aspx We have contributed to the Linklaters' global guide series - Year in Review 2020 and Year to Come 2021. 2020-12-06T22:00:00Z 85918119-f54a-42f9-84d4-536be4070cdb https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/b-bbee-challenged-in-public-tenders.aspx The Supreme Court of Appeal has ruled that the 2017 Preferential Procurement Regulations do not provide the required framework for the application of considerations such as broad-based black economic empowerment contributor status and black ownership to be used for pre-qualification of bidders or as a condition for mandatory sub-contracting in public tenders. 2020-11-22T22:00:00Z 1bc03f0a-f9a3-463a-849f-be78871390ab https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/the-cipc-revokes-temporary-covid-19-relaxation-measures.aspx The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) has announced that the temporary relaxation measures granted to companies during the national lockdown will lapse on 1 December 2020. 2020-11-16T22:00:00Z 34072293-6e7b-4e77-959e-fe6e8469bd86 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/is-sa-open-for-business-dealmaking-in-sa-walking-a-tightrope.aspx South Africa’s economic performance is at its weakest since the advent of democracy. The 2009 Global Financial Crisis pales in comparison. Real gross domestic product (GDP) fell by -1.5% in 2009, while South Africa expects a decline of at least -7% in 2020. 2020-11-15T22:00:00Z a0e703ef-38aa-4602-b543-d23834a487ff https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/2017-preferential-procurement-regulations-declared-invalid-by-supreme-court-of-appeal.aspx A recent Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) matter concerned the validity of the 2017 Preferential Procurement Regulations promulgated under s 5 of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act. 2020-11-11T22:00:00Z d8b160ac-31d7-4cb8-bb5f-996725d32cf7 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/advertising-regulatory-board-requires-adverts-and-commercials-to-toe-the-line-with-covid-19-regulations.aspx In a recent decision by the Advertising Regulatory Board against FlySafair, the board found that compliance with Covid-19 regulations extends to "make-believe" marketing initiatives such as advertisements or commercials 2020-11-04T22:00:00Z 4c710416-d166-4581-afdf-dc0288b48629 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/amendments-to-electricity-regulations-on-new-generation-capacity-gazetted.aspx On 16 October 2020, the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr Gwede Mantashe, gazetted amendments to the Electricity Regulations on New Generation Capacity, 2011 in terms of the Electricity Regulation Act, 2006, providing scope for municipalities to develop their own power generation projects, subject to certain requirements. 2020-10-15T22:00:00Z 536a6415-95ea-47f7-a8be-c2af2ea57d45 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/key-considerations-in-the-white-paper-on-audio-and-audiovisual-content-services-policy-framework.aspx The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies released a White Paper containing a framework for the provision of audio and audiovisual content services on 9 October 2020. 2020-10-15T22:00:00Z 79e6d8eb-d15d-4a16-b8a1-ee2657a81c29 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/key-health-and-safety-considerations-for-the-re-opening-of-sports-stadiums.aspx The organisers of sporting events in stadiums, which were suspended in many countries because of Covid-19, will have to comply with existing health and safety legislation, municipal by-laws and Covid-19 protocols as events resume 2020-08-25T22:00:00Z f188d3a1-9b37-4bb2-a4b1-b109bfa2c28f https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/the-new-cannabis-for-private-purposes-bill-taking-us-forward-backward-or-nowhere-at-all.aspx The recently published Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill has some good elements; but may fail to create a new commercial industry or provide clarity to an area mired in uncertainty. This updates unpacks the key elements of the bill and offers a critique of it. 2020-08-23T22:00:00Z 1ea6d71e-9a02-43d7-9c10-113996f6056b https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/draft-2020-films-and-publications-amendment-regulations-published.aspx Draft regulations to the Films and Publications Amendment Act, which lay down the conditions for acquiring permits to self-classify content were recently published 2020-08-17T22:00:00Z 61fa39c0-40ae-4f9a-a377-e9fb639783d1 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/icasa-issues-draft-amendments-to-licensing-and-broadcasting-services-regulations.aspx On 19 March 2020, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) published draft amendments to the Class Licensing Processes and Procedures Regulations, 2010 and the Standard Terms and Conditions for Class Broadcasting Services Regulations, 2010. 2020-04-06T22:00:00Z f6e47a8d-02e2-48d4-b1e3-96fc397c8aea https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/covid-19-lockdown-laws-the-unanswered-questions.aspx What happens if specific time limits are imposed for action to be taken in terms of acts, by-laws, regulations, policies and other instruments and adherence to these time limits is impacted by the lockdown? 2020-04-01T22:00:00Z c94b1e97-60e1-4ca9-80ae-19113e18d1b6 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/draft-framework-to-qualify-to-operate-a-secondary-geo-location-spectrum-database-introduced-by-icasa.aspx The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has published a Notice Inviting Comments Regarding the Draft Framework to Qualify to Operate a Secondary Geo-Location Spectrum Database. 2020-03-03T22:00:00Z 424ab4cc-943b-4e6b-9564-500e4d29f472 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/draft-regulations-in-respect-of-the-limitations-of-control-and-equity-ownership-by-historically-disadvantaged-groups.aspx On 14 February 2020, ICASA published the Draft Regulations in respect of the Limitations of Control and Equity Ownership by Historically Disadvantaged Groups and the Application of the ICT Sector Code. 2020-02-20T22:00:00Z 3e220b54-dd98-461c-ae26-adac926cd9df https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/companies-that-do-business-with-government-watch-out.aspx The National Treasury yesterday published the long-awaited draft Public Procurement Bill for public comment. 2020-02-19T22:00:00Z 1c139717-b961-46b0-b3c7-4883ef7934f8 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/draft-public-procurement-bill-published-for-comment.aspx On 19 February 2020, the Minister of Finance published the Draft Public Procurement Bill for public comment (to be submitted by 31 May 2020). 2020-02-19T22:00:00Z 2ce9ce9d-203c-456a-9090-610dcb9e3e91 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/what-the-introduction-of-development-charges-in-the-municipal-fiscal-powers-amendment-bill-means-for-municipalities-land.aspx The Minister of Finance has recently published the Municipal Fiscal Powers Amendment Bill for public comment. 2020-01-27T22:00:00Z ed93a048-065a-411b-afe5-eb11a9b9a86d https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/south-african-investment-laws-foreign-investors-with-treaty-protection-may-challenge-proposed-expropriation-of-land.aspx In July 2018, we published an e-alert setting out key changes to South African investment laws. The e-alert highlighted that as a result of a review of its investment laws, the South African government has terminated several Bilateral Investment Treaties. 2019-12-04T22:00:00Z ae60291b-f169-4205-8a71-b3745ebb31c6 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/high-expectations-for-the-new-cannabis-bill.aspx Since the landmark September 2018 decision by the Constitutional Court in the Prince judgment, the use or possession of cannabis in private by an adult person for his or her own consumption in private and the cultivation of cannabis by an adult in a private place for his or her personal consumption in private has been effectively decriminalised and the Court declared those provisions of the Medicines Act and Drugs Act which, amongst others, limited adults' ability to use, possess or cultivate cannabis in private and for personal consumption unconstitutional. 2019-11-24T22:00:00Z e425a0e6-55db-4984-82d0-ba20aec04155 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/a-rand-backed-cryptocurrency-in-the-form-of-a-stablecoin.aspx Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, have become well known for their volatile value. In contrast to this, "stablecoins" are cryptocurrencies that have been specifically designed to have a stable value. 2019-06-09T22:00:00Z 4178f0db-eb78-4c22-8aeb-a141fca59e5a https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/a-u-turn-in-the-regulation-of-cbd-in-south--Africa-paving-the-way-for-the-expansion-of-the-cannabis-market.aspx Since the Constitutional Court in September 2018 effectively decriminalised the possession, use and cultivation of cannabis in private dwellings in South Africa, there has been a rapid surge of CBD-containing products on the South African market. 2019-06-04T22:00:00Z 715d94be-047a-4247-9745-ef4ec3876b32 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/fsca-proposes-introduction-of-a-conduct-standard-for-banks.aspx On 29 April 2019, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) released a statement supporting the draft Conduct Standard applicable to the conduct of banks under section 106(2)(b) of the Financial Sector Regulation Act 9 of 2017 (FSR Act). 2019-05-06T22:00:00Z 15c571e8-eed9-423b-add1-ce6f0052ccf5 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/catch-up-with-competition-law-now-march-2019.aspx The Competition Commission has gazetted final "Guidelines for the determination of administrative penalties for failure to notify mergers and implementation of mergers contrary to the Act" (the Guidelines) 2019-04-02T22:00:00Z e842219c-c096-4218-ae47-982727d0e95e https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/solving-the-eskom-dilemma.aspx Restructuring Eskom into separate functions is a sensible solution to many of its problems. We believe it can be done in a way that should be acceptable to unions but will not prejudice its lenders and the sovereign debt rating. 2019-03-17T22:00:00Z f0f57f2e-899c-46f2-b279-98ace63649ca https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/smart-contracts-vs-traditional-contracts-same-but-different.aspx Smart contracts mark the evolution of the binding contract from a set of terms and conditions, governed by the common law, into a set of conditional statements governed by a programming language and the tenets of blockchain technology. 2019-03-12T22:00:00Z 4be87755-e3fb-4c4a-9f1b-d0f0b0d7aec2 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/webber-wentzel-kicks-off-the-year-by-appointing-three-new-partners.aspx Leading law firm Webber Wentzel has kicked off the year by appointing three new partners. Lizle Louw, Mzukisi Kota and Gillian Niven all bring a wealth of experience and expertise which span across diverse areas. 2019-01-29T22:00:00Z 6a09f29d-a5f4-4b65-bd46-6f1c15f0275f https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/webber-wentzel-publishes-insights-pieces-looking-at-key-legal-and-regulatory-developments-for-2018-2019.aspx Webber Wentzel together with its alliance partner, Linklaters, recently published a Year in Review and Year to Come 2018/2019 insights piece. This publication highlights significant legal and regulatory developments that took place in South Africa during 2018, and expected changes for 2019. 2019-01-14T22:00:00Z e0cea20a-702c-42fb-ae3c-753a98e1f120 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/catch-up-with-competition-law-now-october-2018.aspx The "B" Version of the Competition Amendment Bill 2018 (the Bill) was passed by the National Assembly on 23 October 2018. A summary of important additional proposed amendments in the "B" version of the Bill, particularly in relation to the sections on abuse of dominance can be accessed here. The Bill is currently at NCOP level and comments on the latest version are due on 7 November 2018. 2018-10-30T22:00:00Z 909c701d-4517-4f16-97d9-9390c6b22f54 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/catch-up-with-competition-law-now-september-2018.aspx In September 2018, the Portfolio Committee on Economic Development held a series of meetings to deliberate over the Competition Amendment Bill, 2018 (Bill). The Minister of Economic Development was also given an opportunity to respond to matters raised during the public hearings on the Bill. It has been indicated that the Committee will consider the Bill further in early October. We will keep you updated on all further developments. 2018-10-01T22:00:00Z 983249d5-56ec-4d47-acd4-7c7035db1994 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/amendment-of-the-financial-provisioning-regulations-2015-holders-of-a-right-or-permit-to-comply-by.aspx In April this year, the Financial Provisioning Regulations, 2015 were amended to extend the transitional time period within which holders of offshore oil or gas exploration or production rights are required to comply with these Regulations to 19 February 2024. On Friday last week, the Minister of Environmental Affairs amended the Financial Provisioning Regulations, 2015 again, this time to extend the transitional period that is applicable to all other holders of a right or permit to 19 February 2020 (FP Amendment). 2018-09-24T22:00:00Z a7ff879b-4b53-418d-b25e-f43a21acd861 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/update-on-the-draft-electronic-communications-amendment-bill-key-issues.aspx The Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services published the draft Electronic Communications Amendment Bill (the Draft Bill) for public comment on 17 November 2017. Following receipt of comments from the public, an amended version of the Bill (the Final Bill), which has been approved by the Cabinet, was published in the Government Gazette on 31 August 2018. 2018-09-17T22:00:00Z 7d1f4e37-f55c-4466-9c1e-be0d23296edf https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/key-proposed-changes-to-copyright-laws-software-developers-beware.aspx The Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry (the Committee) has been meeting to discuss its proposed amendments to the Copyright Act. Proposed changes are significant, as the right to develop and distribute programs such as APIs (application program interfaces) will no longer be limited to the owner or licensee of the copyright in and to the underlying computer program. 2018-09-12T22:00:00Z eea21c91-dac2-4bbc-be09-620853e01679 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/government-introduces-youth-employment-service-initiative.aspx The rate of youth unemployment in South Africa is soaring. Government has introduced an incentive to contribute towards job creation for black South African youths. Entities which are measured in terms of their contributions towards Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) may now achieve enhanced recognition through their qualifying contributions in the Youth Employment Service (or Y.E.S) initiative. 2018-08-29T22:00:00Z 4ca51e21-c605-4479-b215-d79ad090e584 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/companies-amendment-bill-gains-momentum.aspx Yesterday Cabinet approved the publication of the Companies Amendment Draft Bill (Bill) for public comment. The Bill, once approved, will amend the Companies Act, 2008. The stated purpose of the Bill is to reduce the regulatory and administrative burdens to business owners and enhances South Africa’s attractiveness to potential investors. 2018-08-22T22:00:00Z 9d47a973-dcd9-434d-9b5d-8f4099a0b1cf https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/catch-up-with-competition-law-now-webber-wentzel-july-2018.aspx The Portfolio Committee on Economic Development has invited the public to submit written comments on the Competition Amendment Bill 2018 (the Bill) by 17 August 2018. Public hearings to discuss the Bill will also be held in Parliament on 28 and 29 August 2018. 2018-07-31T22:00:00Z abcd409b-dacf-4b6d-a32d-4126a6f38e9f https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/understanding-class-action-procedures-locally-abroad.aspx We recently contributed to a global comparative review guide published by our alliance partner, Linklaters, looking at collective redress procedures across 19 jurisdictions. 2018-07-29T22:00:00Z 89892363-36e9-4173-80d6-a0a0ddb984c8 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/south-african-investment-laws-key-changes-of-which-foreign-investors-should-be-aware.aspx The Protection of Investment Act, 2015 (the Act) came into effect on 13 July 2018. By way of background, the South African government first began a review its investment laws and regulations following the case of Piero Foresti, Laura de Carli & Others v The Republic of South Africa launched under the auspices of the Washington DC-based ICSID in 2007.1 Following the review, South Africa terminated several Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) to which South Africa was a party. It then sought to "substitute" the treaty protections with domestic legislation, which ultimately led to the Act being passed. 2018-07-26T22:00:00Z 033b8703-7881-4164-b7f1-2b1ceccdfa4a https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/tunisia-and-somalia-officially-join-comesa.aspx The COMESA Competition Commission (CCC) has released a notice confirming that the Republic of Tunisia and the Federal Republic of Somalia have been admitted as Member States of COMESA. Accordingly, the COMESA Competition Regulations of 2004, and its accompanying rules, shall be enforceable in Tunisia and Somalia with immediate effect. 2018-07-23T22:00:00Z c85e55bc-0cbe-42ac-ae5b-45bfa8aebf04 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/botswana-insights-strengthened-competition-law-regime.aspx The Parliament of Botswana has approved the Competition Act, 17 of 2018 (the New Act). The President has assented to the New Act but it is yet to come into effect. Firms doing business in Botswana need to be aware that the New Act proposes significant amendments which may have implications for their operations. Overall, the New Act seeks to enhance the current competition legislation, particularly the sanctions for competition law contraventions. 2018-07-19T22:00:00Z e620071e-8ebf-4fe1-9c78-b566f4950061 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/key-amendments-proposed-by-the-competition-amendment-bill-2018.aspx A revised Competition Amendment Bill 23 of 2018 (the Bill) was introduced to Parliament on 11 July 2018. This follows the publication of an earlier version of the Bill in December 2017 and the submission of extensive comments by stakeholders. 2018-07-15T22:00:00Z 9a2f219a-2c10-4d62-b873-8e82f6663937 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/competition-amendment-bill-introduced-to-parliament.aspx On Thursday, 12 July 2018, the Minister of Economic Development introduced the Competition Amendment Bill 23 of 2018 (the Bill) to Parliament. 2018-07-12T22:00:00Z 207b50eb-6e17-4a7e-80c1-54e6792a0fa2 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/competition-amendment-bill-makes-its-way-to-parliament.aspx Cabinet has approved the submission of the Competition Amendment Bill 2017 (the Bill) to Parliament. On 5 July 2018, the Economic Development Department (EDD) gazetted an explanatory statement (available here) indicating that the Minister of Economic Development intends to introduce the Bill into Parliament during July 2018. 2018-07-05T22:00:00Z 9b6ec298-8241-484e-96ba-0b7ec7838480 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/catch-up-with-competition-law-now-webber-wentzel-june-2018.aspx The High Court has set aside a search warrant which authorised dawn raids to be conducted at the premises of five edible oils companies. In December 2016, the Competition Commission (Commission) made an urgent ex parte application for a search warrant on the basis that the companies had breached the anti-cartel provisions of the Competition Act 89 of 1998 (the Competition Act). 2018-07-02T22:00:00Z 6561da0f-b0e8-440f-bc60-29c0bac19699 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/financial-provisioning-latest-proposed-changes-to-nema.aspx On Tuesday, 19 June 2018, the latest revision to the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Bill, version "B" (NEMLAA5 Bill) was tabled. 2018-06-27T22:00:00Z 7c06dcc2-c930-4e6a-b3c9-a6363a981b55 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/revised-draft-amendments-to-b-bbee-codes-released-for-public-comment.aspx On the 15th of June 2018, the Minister of Trade and Industry published draft amendments to the Preferential Procurement and Enterprise and Supplier Development element of the generic B-BBEE Codes, which will be open for public comment for a period of 60 days. 2018-06-21T22:00:00Z 25e7956c-3e33-4700-9247-574ac8c274fc https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/insights-and-next-steps-the-new-mining-charter-iii.aspx On Friday 15 June 2018 Mining Charter III was published for public comment. While the Mining Charter III is an improvement on the June 2017 version, it does contain far reaching changes and introduces more onerous and more stringent compliance obligations than those provided for in the 2010 Mining Charter. 2018-06-17T22:00:00Z 86919cba-bad1-4f92-83df-a8526ec324c7 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/climate-change-soon-to-be-a-matter-of-law.aspx On Tuesday this week, the world celebrated World Environment Day but commiserated the fact that the Earth Overshoot Day this year is 1 August. 2018-06-08T22:00:00Z fc758a48-9108-4ed3-899f-6a7a42bc1841 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/national-minimum-wage-update.aspx The National Assembly has recently passed three bills namely the National Minimum Wage Bill, the Basic Conditions of Employment Amendment Bill and the Labour Relations Amendment Bill. 2018-06-06T22:00:00Z 205bcc1a-6598-4bf4-817d-31efdfaaad81 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/catch-up-with-competition-law-now-may-2018.aspx A recent decision of the Competition Appeal Court (CAC) has provided guidance on the test to be applied in assessing whether non-compete / restraint of trade clauses will expose companies to a prohibited practice contravention (Dawn Consolidated Holdings (Pty) Ltd and the Competition Commission). 2018-05-31T22:00:00Z f67899f0-ae51-4b6f-ad19-cd190bc83806 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/cloud-computing-in-africa.aspx Cloud computing has increasingly become a staple of modern business. For those who wish to leverage the cloud in Africa, certain regulatory and practical issues need to be considered. 2018-05-21T22:00:00Z 95e79ee2-78b1-4869-aa1c-3399ff10e76d https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/did-you-know-a-water-use-registration-certificate-does-not-mean-that-the-registered-water-use-is.aspx Having a Water Use Registration Certificates in place does not mean that the registered water uses which are undertaken by your business are lawful. 2018-05-06T22:00:00Z bbf0893e-9eaf-4dbf-832a-7773d83587ca https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/catch-up-with-competition-law-now-april-2018.aspx Agribusiness, Food & Beverage: Citrus producers exemption refused - The Competition Commission (Commission) has refused to grant the Western Cape Citrus Producers Forum (known as Summer Citrus) an exemption. 2018-04-25T22:00:00Z 124405f2-d8dd-4c08-a05c-8f57d0764546 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/amendment-of-the-financial-regulations-2015-offshore-oil-gas-rights-holders-to-comply-by-february.aspx On Friday last week, the Minister of Environmental Affairs amended the Financial Provisioning Regulations, 2015 to extend the transitional period to comply with these Regulations for holders of offshore oil or gas exploration or production rights to 19 February 2024 (FP Amendment). 2018-04-23T22:00:00Z 85f8b6ec-2506-4fe9-bd59-3492e4dd69d3 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/bringing-the-icca-2018-message-home-managing-and-resolving-complex-disputes-on-major-projects-on-the.aspx From 15 to 18 April 2018, our international arbitration team represented Webber Wentzel at the ICCA (International Council for Commercial Arbitration) 2018 Congress held in Sydney, Australia. The theme of this years' congress was "Evolution and Adaption: The Future of International Arbitration". 2018-04-22T22:00:00Z 2445016b-4c4d-4022-bf6a-f087d2a0c967 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/mining-employers-required-to-review-and-amend-mandatory-code-of-practice-on-exposure-to-airborne.aspx The Guideline for the Compilation of a Mandatory Code of Practice for an Occupational Health Programme (Occupational Hygiene and Medical Surveillance) on Personal Exposure to Airborne Pollutants (the Guideline) was published in the Government Gazette on 06 April 2018 and is effective from 30 April 2018. 2018-04-17T22:00:00Z 65477629-1f3f-40f9-a6bc-82c1e621c69a https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/corporate-environmental-sustainability-sa-s-impending-carbon-tax.aspx Having signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in November 2016, and as part of its National Climate Change Response Policy, South Africa has endorsed its "national-determined contribution" commitments to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 2018-04-15T22:00:00Z ba9e339e-6710-4b76-aa7e-5a5a158c6126 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/disrupting-the-disrupted-the-dawn-of-fintech-regulation-in-the-twin-peaks-new-world-order.aspx The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has effectively broken the regulator blood oath taken in 2014 that had frozen the South African cryptocurrency market in the realm of regulatory neutrality for the past 3 years. 2018-04-10T22:00:00Z ce5ecff8-a324-4724-b75e-e692fb3b1fd8 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/high-court-decision-a-victory-for-supporters-of-once-empowered-always-empowered-principle.aspx A judgment handed down on 4 April 2018 by the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Pretoria is a victory for supporters of the "once empowered, always empowered" principle, finding that a mining right holder will be able to retain its empowerment status even if its empowerment partner(s) disposes of its stake in mining right holder. 2018-04-04T22:00:00Z cecc20ba-c303-498d-86d1-768c0a31f031 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/don-t-let-your-waste-management-create-a-business-risk-new-national-norms-and-standards.aspx In an attempt to simplify licensing processes, the Department of Environmental Affairs removed the requirement to obtain a waste management licence for waste facilities where sorting, shredding, grinding, crushing, screening or baling of general waste is undertaken. 2018-04-04T22:00:00Z 8bc56c3c-9686-452b-bd68-7ffd010db414 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/cryptocurrency-transactions.aspx In South Africa, as with most other countries around the world, there is no guidance and regulation regarding cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. 2018-03-25T22:00:00Z 56717888-c916-40f3-b012-9b994fd5a32c https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/the-tax-implications-of-fruitless-and-wasteful-expenditure.aspx One of the proposals in the Budget Review 2018 (Budget) to preserve a sustainable tax base is to disallow fruitless and wasteful expenditure by government entities. 2018-03-21T22:00:00Z 24590ede-e1c9-45bc-a4f7-dc9064117d9f https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/a-victory-for-freedom-of-expression-webber-wentzel-succeeds-in-getting-inxeba-the-wound-back-in.aspx On 6 March 2018, the North Gauteng High Court handed down its ruling in the urgent review application by the producers and distributors of the movie Inxeba: The Woundagainst the Film and Publication Appeal Tribunal's (the Tribunal) decision to award the film a rating of X18. The filmmakers were represented by Webber Wentzel. 2018-03-06T22:00:00Z 2866fb3e-bd69-4e08-892c-e6d534820795 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/catch-up-with-competition-law-now-february-2018.aspx MASSMART'S COMPLAINT REFERRAL AGAINST LARGE RETAILERS DISMISSED - The Competition Tribunal (Tribunal) has dismissed a complaint referral lodged by Massmart Holdings Ltd (Massmart) against Shoprite Checkers (Pty) Ltd, Pick ‘n Pay Retailers (Pty) Ltd and Spar Group Ltd (the Respondent Retailers). 2018-02-28T22:00:00Z e1d82c04-c35f-4d2d-96ed-91f38b85ce53 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/catch-up-with-competition-now-january-2018.aspx COMPETITION AMENDMENT BILL SEMINAR: THANK YOU AND OVERVIEW - On 31 January 2018, the Competition Practice held a seminar where a panel of esteemed competition law experts comprehensively unpacked the significant amendments proposed by the Competition Amendment Bill, 2017 (the Bill). 2018-02-04T22:00:00Z 594fd2a5-6441-473e-848e-38228ba52982 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/mining-indaba-media-release.aspx This morning kicked off with some warm introductions and the Minister's Speech. Although there was some speculation related to whether or not Minister Zwane would give the speech, he did in fact arrive and deliver it. 2018-02-04T22:00:00Z 55ed88d3-a82f-4d97-b3e3-6d35b30753d7 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/presentation-from-the-financial-regulatory-workshop-on-recent-developments-in-the-financial-services.aspx Thank you to all who attended the Webber Wentzel Financial Regulatory workshop on recent developments in the financial services sector hosted on Wednesday, 24 January 2018 in Cape Town and Thursday, 25 January 2018 in Johannesburg. 2018-01-25T22:00:00Z bf7d1e7a-a1b3-4f04-8131-95509050e796 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/south-africa-year-in-review-and-year-to-come-2017-2018.aspx In 2017, we saw significant legal and regulatory changes affecting South African businesses. It is likely that 2018 will bring further changes. 2018-01-24T22:00:00Z 5e195925-aace-427a-a72e-331d7177e68d https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/tax-victory-for-automotive-manufacturers.aspx A recent Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) judgment (Volkswagen South Africa (Pty) Ltd v CSARS) provided much needed clarity that Productive Asset Allowance (PAA) certificate amounts granted to automotive manufacturers are capital in nature as their purpose is to incentivise capital investments. 2018-01-23T22:00:00Z 5f061a14-2c79-428a-b0fd-8f28cf281660 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/mining-industry-dislocation.aspx Industry hopes that the new broom sweeps clean. 2018-01-22T22:00:00Z eadbe3c5-8352-4c00-8e2c-621f315d9a14 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/the-not-so-sweet-sugar-tax.aspx The proposal to tax the sugar content of beverages first came to light in the 2016 Budget. On 5 December 2017, after 18 months of debate, Parliament adopted the tax on sugary beverages (Sugar Tax), which is expected to commence on 1 April 2018. 2018-01-15T22:00:00Z 83a469dc-ae91-4d80-a98c-483a1a9523fb https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/amended-b-bbee-construction-sector-code-effective-from-1-december-2017.aspx On 1 December 2017, the Department of Trade and Industry published the amended construction sector code of good practice on broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) (Amended CSC). 2017-12-07T22:00:00Z 74a5a4ea-7616-4d46-84fd-ebf37208d41f https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/amended-b-bbee-financial-sector-code-effective-from-1-december-2017.aspx On 1 December 2017, the Department of Trade and Industry published the long-awaited amended financial sector code of good practice on broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) (Amended FSC). 2017-12-05T22:00:00Z d148e5cd-6957-445b-b0b7-d1293d982d92 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/catch-up-with-competition-law-now-november-2017.aspx COMPETITION APPEAL COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF HCI - The Competition Appeal Court (CAC) has held that the proposed transaction involving Hosken Consolidated Investment Ltd (HCI), Tsogo Sun Holdings Ltd (Tsogo Sun) and Niveus Investment Ltd (Niveus) does not require approval by the competition authorities in terms of the merger control provisions of the Competition Act 89 of 1998 (Competition Act). 2017-11-29T22:00:00Z 12142d27-8988-46ae-a412-66b17eef9750 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/the-electronic-communications-amendment-bill-proposes-far-reaching-changes-to-the-information.aspx The Electronic Communications Amendment Bill (Bill) was published for public comment on 17 November 2017. The Bill seeks to implement and give effect to the policy points set out in the ICT White Paper, published in October 2016. 2017-11-22T22:00:00Z c0fefba1-d7f7-4e4e-94fb-7694fbad2798 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/artificial-intelligence-the-apex-of-tech-and-policy-challenges.aspx Artificial intelligence (AI) is the apex of today’s technology age as we push the boundaries towards Industry 4.0 and superintelligence. 2017-11-20T22:00:00Z e3543fa3-1507-43a2-a8d7-525dec9f1543 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/proposed-overhaul-of-the-financial-provisioning-regulations-of-2015.aspx Last Friday, 10 November 2017, the Minister of Environmental Affairs published the 'Proposed Regulations Pertaining to the Financial Provision for Prospecting, Exploration, Mining or Production Operations' (Draft FP Regulations) for comment. 2017-11-12T22:00:00Z c0050390-3af4-41c1-8b6f-e78a53043721 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/Corporate-Round-up-October-2017.aspx DEBRIEF ON THE DTI COMPANY LAW SEMINAR - In our last Corporate Round-up, we reported that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is considering amendments to the Companies Act 2008. 2017-10-30T22:00:00Z 55f0c6e2-fa30-4c09-9737-de28574783da https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/catch-up-with-competition-law-now-october-2017.aspx FIVE MERGERS PROHIBITED BY THE COMPETITION COMMISSION IN OCTOBER 2017 - During October 2017, the Competition Commission (Commission) prohibited five mergers. The prohibitions involved companies in the agricultural and healthcare sectors. 2017-10-30T22:00:00Z 5a436a34-2b67-48c6-b1bb-25c540f8d86c https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/water-management-in-south-africa-change-on-the-horizon.aspx Following on from a previous alert in relation to the restructuring of South Africa's Water Management Areas (WMAs) from 19 WMAs previously to a consolidated 8 WMAs currently (circulated on 30 September 2016), the Minister of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) recently published the proposed Reserve determination of water resources for the Olifants-Doorn Catchment on 13 April 2017 and for the Olifants and Letaba Catchment on 22 September 2017. 2017-10-05T22:00:00Z 3bff8011-7285-48fc-a4b1-1995b5aa7a58 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/catch-up-with-competition-law-now-september-2017.aspx WEBBER WENTZEL WINS COMPETITION AND REGULATORY TEAM OF THE YEAR AT THE 2017 AFRICAN LEGAL AWARDS - We are delighted to announce that Webber Wentzel has won the Competition and Regulatory Team of the Year award at the 2017 African Legal Awards. 2017-09-28T22:00:00Z bec6a632-341d-4245-97cf-0a9ffe075523 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/traversing-the-boundaries-of-competition-law.aspx In the current times of widespread economic uncertainty, managing regulatory risk is no easy feat. The multi-faceted aspects of competition law add to the challenge and pose unique complexities when doing business in Africa, particularly from a mergers and acquisitions perspective. 2017-09-26T22:00:00Z 1b516c36-41ca-45e2-8bfc-91909a2c602a https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/petroleum-and-liquid-fuels-sector-transformation-charter-to-be-amended.aspx On 13 September 2017, the Department of Trade and Industry informed the public via proclamation (Proclamation) of the intention of the Department of Energy and the Petroleum and Liquid Fuels Industry to align the Petroleum and Liquid Fuels Sector Transformation Charter (Charter) (which is Schedule 1 to the Petroleum Products Act, 1977) to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act, 2003 and the generic B-BBEE codes through a stakeholder consultative process. 2017-09-18T22:00:00Z 368e6a27-1fb6-4bf6-a78f-9ed5b9b35d8f https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/corporate-round-up.aspx DEBRIEF ON THE DTI COMPANY LAW SEMINAR - On 24 and 25 August, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Specialist Committee on Company Law hosted a Company Law Seminar in Johannesburg. 2017-09-13T22:00:00Z 47822a76-8a53-4867-94d1-eb5f936f1716 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/webber-wentzel-wins-at-the-african-legal-awards-2017.aspx Webber Wentzel is proud to have received two awards in the prestigious African Legal Awards hosted by Legal Week and the Corporate Lawyers Association of South Africa in Johannesburg on Friday 8 September, 2017. 2017-09-10T22:00:00Z 53037953-d334-42c0-a777-3a675366485e https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/popi-regulations-open-for-comment.aspx Further to our last e-alert (available here) on POPI (or POPIA, as it is now referred to by the Information Regulator), the Information Regulator has now issued draft regulations (click here and here) for public comment. 2017-09-10T22:00:00Z f6935c8a-c039-4f55-9519-d75d2d1da633 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/companies-and-directors-past-environmental-transgressions-may-haunt-you.aspx Section 24G of National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (NEMA) which enables the ex post facto authorisation of activities that unlawfully commenced under NEMA and the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (NEMWA) is contentious in the environmental world. 2017-09-06T22:00:00Z 1944dddc-4f43-4a6d-8e19-5dc2c5f57bfc https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/the-medicines-and-medical-devices-regulatory-landscape-is-changing.aspx On Friday, 25 August 2017, the Minister of Health repealed and replaced, in its entirety, the General Regulation made under the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965 (the Medicines Act). 2017-08-27T22:00:00Z bea64325-40d1-4dfd-9248-a326de6f0067 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/financial-sector-regulation-act-2017-signed-into-law.aspx On 21 August 2017, President Zuma signed into law the Financial Sector Regulation Act 2017 (FSR Act). 2017-08-21T22:00:00Z ae640dc0-2f21-477e-851e-795be7355df8 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/climate-chang-ing-the-scope-of-lender-due-diligence-and-annual-reporting.aspx On 7 August 2017, an Australian couple (the Applicants) filed a law suit against the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), where they allege that the CBA failed to disclose material risks in relation to climate change in their financial report for the 2016 financial year (CBA Application). 2017-08-20T22:00:00Z 865ae27d-ee00-4be7-ace4-67b6bfa2e22f https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/implications-of-the-distinction-between-primary-and-secondary-processing-environmental.aspx Historically, mining activities have been excluded from the scope of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (NEMA). 2017-08-14T22:00:00Z 0530bfb9-03b0-43b0-bac3-d4e97a73f337 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/subtle-changes-to-law-can-have-a-huge-impact-on-the-mining-and-oil-and-gas-industries-analysis-of.aspx Financial provisioning laws require mining and petroleum companies to set aside an amount of money for the management, remediation and rehabilitation of environmental aspects arising from mining and petroleum operations. 2017-07-31T22:00:00Z 589f371c-2ba0-468d-a2bd-851303483339 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/2017-draft-taxation-laws-amendment-bill-and-draft-tax-administration-laws-amendment-bill.aspx The 2017 Draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill and Draft Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill were released for comment on 19 July 2017. In our latest newsletter, we focus on some of the core amendments proposed in the draft legislation relating to direct and indirect taxes as well as tax administration. As your trusted tax advisor, we remain committed to providing you with pertinent information to help you navigate the complex and shifting tax laws. 2017-07-27T22:00:00Z 7b5e217f-e8d1-479f-ae30-1d9ca834317e https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/carbon-tax-puzzle-of-law-almost-complete.aspx After the National Greenhouse Gas Emission (GHG) Reporting Regulations were published on 3 April 2017, the next tranche of laws have now come into force to complement the proposed carbon tax. 2017-07-26T22:00:00Z eb629620-a8b1-4ec2-9bcb-e51e28764ca0 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/feedback-from-the-financial-regulatory-workshop-on-the-impact-of-impending-legislative-amendments-on.aspx Thank you to all who attended the Financial Regulatory workshop on the impact of impending legislative amendments on group scheme structures hosted on Wednesday, 19 July 2017. 2017-07-25T22:00:00Z 7cdeea24-ac1d-495a-b9ac-ff4b9c9a4f9d https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/when-mine-rehabilitation-and-captive-power-collide.aspx The mining industry has always played a major role in the world's economy. With the global economic downturn, however, mining companies are under increasing pressure to minimise costs and increase inefficiencies. 2017-07-24T22:00:00Z d026f0ab-9ec6-4848-a3f4-a7682a130cf9 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/yet-another-zwane-faux-pas-minister-of-mineral-resources-may-bring-an-ailing-industry-to-its-knees.aspx On 15 June 2017, the Minister of Mineral Resources (Minister) published the Broad-Based Socio Economic Empowerment Charter for the South African Mining Industry, 2017 (Mining Charter III) under the auspices of section 100(2)(a) of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (MPRDA). 2017-07-19T22:00:00Z f5b01349-76bf-47d9-a16b-ac9c909289e8 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/south-africa-s-grapple-with-transformation-in-sport.aspx South Africa's constitutional democracy ushered in an era of hope and change for all South Africans, particularly those South Africans who were oppressed by discriminatory laws, through the brutality of colonialism and apartheid. 2017-07-18T22:00:00Z f9e803c5-80bf-44dc-ad0e-b4a0b5cd76d7 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/the-mineral-and-petroleum-resources-development-amendment-bill.aspx Last week Webber Wentzel engaged with the Select Committee on Land and Minerals to highlight some unintended consequences in the proposed amendments to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Bill (MPRDA Bill). 2017-07-03T22:00:00Z d7520dea-0115-46bc-9f3b-8fb828815b5f https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/cyber-resilience-guidance-note-issued-by-the-sarb.aspx On 15 May 2017, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), through the Office of the Registrar of Banks (the Office), issued Guidance Note G4/2017 dealing with cyber resilience (the Guidance Note) to banks, branches of foreign institutions, controlling companies, eligible institutions and auditors of banks or controlling companies (banks). 2017-07-02T22:00:00Z dd130864-efaf-4f54-8199-55f717dfa31e https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/catch-up-with-competition-law-now.aspx AGRIBUSINESS, FOOD & BEVERAGE: UPDATES AND DEVELOPMENTS - The Competition Commission (Commission) has conducted dawn raids on the premises of seven meat suppliers in three provinces. 2017-06-29T22:00:00Z ec5e2374-f8eb-4805-98ca-4ba27383db12 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/amended-b-bbee-property-sector-code.aspx On 9 June 2017, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued the amended Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Property Sector Code (2017 Property Sector Code), which is committed to advancing the objectives of B-BBEE within the property sector. 2017-06-29T22:00:00Z 3f86ea9e-ff52-41b3-b307-00f9a01fc108 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/comprehensive-maritime-transport-policy.aspx The Department of Transport (the DOT) recently approved the Comprehensive Maritime Transport Policy (the CMTP) which was published in the Government Gazette on 12 June 2017. 2017-06-27T22:00:00Z a02b9932-429a-41a3-9ab3-f069f11be75d https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/financial-sector-regulation-bill.aspx The parliamentary process on the Financial Sector Regulation Bill (FSR Bill) has been completed. The National Assembly passed the FSR Bill on 23 June 2017, and it has been sent to the president for his signature. 2017-06-26T22:00:00Z 8a04e1a6-03eb-42ae-9a01-01909018bca2 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/reporting-major-bee-transactions.aspx The BEE Regulations of 2016, promulgated under the BEE Act, provide for the process of registering a major BEE transaction with the BEE Commission. 2017-06-25T22:00:00Z d0c4876f-d80b-4020-9dcd-a3bfec0d173a https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/POPI-update-Key-takeaways-from-the-Information-Regulator's-first-briefing.aspx Further to our last e-alert on POPI (or POPIA, as it is now referred to by the Information Regulator) the Information Regulator held its first public briefing on Monday 2017-02-14T22:00:00Z d992e2df-050f-424f-bf52-b714586a0722 https://www.webberwentzel.com//News/Pages/National-Assembly-recommends-Pansy-Tlakula-as-Chairperson-of-the-Information-Regulator-.aspx This week has seen a significant step towards the long-awaited implementation of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI). 2016-09-08T22:00:00Z