Financial Law Attorney and Chairperson of Ndou Attorneys Inc. MBA and Maters in Corporate Law

When water contamination occurs, the response can be just as important as the incident itself. Identifying a problem early, informing affected communities and taking appropriate corrective action can help limit exposure and prevent further harm. However, when those responsible for managing a water supply fail to respond promptly to known contamination risks, the consequences can become more serious. Residents may continue using unsafe water without knowing the danger, while p

Access to clean and safe drinking water is essential to human health. When water becomes contaminated, the consequences can extend beyond inconvenience. Depending on the contaminant, the level of exposure and the individual’s health, unsafe water may cause illness, physical injury and financial loss. For residents who rely on a contaminated water supply, an important question arises: can a person who becomes ill after exposure to unsafe water claim compensation? Under South A

Water contamination can quickly become more than an environmental problem. When unsafe drinking water reaches households, schools, healthcare facilities and public spaces, it can place entire communities at risk. Exposure to contaminated water may cause serious illness, particularly where harmful bacteria, chemicals or other pollutants enter the water supply. The situation becomes even more concerning when the responsible authorities fail to identify the danger, issue warning

Access to safe drinking water is essential for human health, dignity and everyday life. When residents turn on their taps, they should be able to rely on the water supply being managed in accordance with applicable health and safety standards. However, communities across South Africa continue to experience water shortages, contaminated supplies, sewage pollution and interruptions to essential water services. These problems can affect households, schools, businesses and health

When an entire community is affected by contaminated drinking water, environmental pollution or another incident that causes widespread harm, the consequences can extend far beyond individual households. Residents may experience illness, incur medical expenses, lose income or face long-term disruption to their daily lives. In these circumstances, an important question arises: can residents pursue compensation together, or must every affected person bring a separate legal clai

Suffering an injury because of someone else’s actions or negligence can have serious consequences. An accident may leave a person with medical expenses, loss of income, ongoing pain or permanent physical impairment. In these circumstances, the injured person may have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim. However, being injured does not automatically mean that compensation will be awarded. In South Africa, a claimant must provide evidence to establish the legal requiremen

When a community’s drinking water becomes contaminated, the danger does not end with the contamination itself. Residents also need to know when the water is unsafe, what precautions to take and where they can access reliable information. Without a timely warning, people may continue drinking or using contaminated water without realising the risks to their health. But what happens when the authorities know, or should reasonably know, about a water safety problem and fail to in

Access to clean drinking water is essential to human health and well-being. Every household should be able to rely on its water supply without worrying that drinking, cooking or washing with that water could cause illness. However, water contamination remains a serious concern for communities when sewage enters water systems, treatment facilities fail, infrastructure deteriorates or industrial activities pollute natural water sources. When these problems occur, residents may

Clean water is essential for human health. It is used for drinking, preparing food, washing and maintaining basic hygiene. When a community’s water supply becomes contaminated, the consequences can be serious, particularly when residents are exposed over an extended period. Contaminated water may contain harmful bacteria, viruses, chemicals or other pollutants. Depending on the source and level of exposure, it can contribute to illnesses such as diarrhoeal diseases, infection

Access to clean and safe water is essential for every community. However, when drinking water becomes contaminated, the consequences can extend far beyond inconvenience. Families may face serious health concerns, children may become ill, and communities may be left without a reliable source of safe water. Children are particularly vulnerable because their health and development can be affected by exposure to unsafe water. In communities where access to alternative water sourc

Starting a business with someone you trust can be an exciting step. You may have a shared business idea, complementary skills or a common goal of building something profitable. In the early stages, it is easy to focus on getting the business running and assume that you will work out the details as you go. However, disagreements can arise when partners have different expectations about money, responsibilities, decision-making or the future of the business. A written partnershi

In business, agreements are often made during meetings, phone calls, emails or informal conversations. A supplier may agree to deliver goods at a certain price, a client may approve a service, or two business owners may discuss a partnership and shake hands on the deal. But what happens when one party later denies what was agreed? A common misconception is that an agreement is only legally binding if it is written down and signed. Under South African law, verbal agreements ca

When allegations of misconduct, harassment, fraud or other workplace wrongdoing arise, employers must decide how to respond. Acting too quickly without establishing the facts can expose a business to legal disputes, reputational damage and claims of unfair treatment. A workplace investigation helps an employer understand what happened, assess the available evidence and decide what action, if any, is appropriate. In South Africa, investigations should be conducted fairly, cons

Losing your job can have serious financial and emotional consequences, particularly when you believe the decision was unjustified or the correct procedures were not followed. South African labour law protects employees against unfair dismissal. However, not every dismissal is automatically unfair, and employers may lawfully terminate employment when they have a fair reason and follow the applicable procedures. Understanding what constitutes unfair dismissal, what steps you ca

Starting a new job is an important step, but before signing an employment contract, it is worth taking the time to understand what you are agreeing to. An employment contract sets out the terms of the working relationship between an employer and an employee. It may explain your salary, working hours, responsibilities, leave entitlements and the circumstances in which your employment can end. Some clauses may also affect your ability to take another job, protect confidential i

When you suffer an injury, gathering evidence may not be your first concern. You may be focused on recovering, attending medical appointments and managing the financial pressure caused by the incident. However, the information and documents you preserve can play an important role in a compensation claim. Evidence helps establish what happened, the injuries you sustained, who may be responsible and the financial losses you experienced. Whether your injury resulted from a road

An accident, injury or financial loss can leave a person asking an important question: who is responsible for what happened, and can they be held legally accountable? In South Africa, negligence can give rise to a claim for compensation when the legal requirements for liability are met. This may arise in road accidents, medical treatment, unsafe premises, workplace incidents and other situations where someone’s failure to take reasonable care causes harm. However, not every u

A road accident can change your life in seconds. Beyond the immediate injuries, you may face medical expenses, lost income, rehabilitation and uncertainty about your future. If you have been injured in a road accident in South Africa, you may have legal options for claiming compensation. Understanding the process, the evidence required and the applicable deadlines can help you make informed decisions about your next steps. 1. Can You Claim Compensation After a Road Accident?

What Can You Claim Compensation For After an Injury? An injury can affect far more than your physical health. It may leave you with medical bills, time away from work, reduced earning ability and emotional distress. For some people, the consequences continue long after the initial accident. In South Africa, an injured person may be entitled to claim compensation from a responsible party, depending on how the injury occurred and the applicable law. Understanding the different