top of page
Insights into Law: Articles, Analysis, and Legal Perspectives


KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AT A ROADBLOCK: WHAT EVERY DRIVER IN SOUTH AFRICA SHOULD UNDERSTAND
As we enter the festive season, many people behave as though the road laws are also on holiday. In reality, this is exactly when our traffic laws should be taken most seriously to ensure a safe and stress-free break for everyone. Law enforcement shares this concern, which is why roadblocks are a frequent sight during December. For most motorists, being pulled over by the police can feel intimidating - but understanding your rights and responsibilities can ensure a safe, lawfu
Dec 9, 2025


JOHANNESBURG’S HAILSTORMS AND FLOODING: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE CLAIMING FROM YOUR INSURER
Johannesburg has recently experienced severe weather conditions which have impacted homes, vehicles, and businesses across the city. During events like these, most people turn immediately to their insurance policies, hoping their cover will provide them with much needed relief. However, before rushing into the claims process, it’s essential to understand what you are covered for, how to protect your rights as an insured person, and what to do if your claim is unfairly reject
Dec 2, 2025


THOUSANDS MARCH AGAINST GBV AS SOUTH AFRICA HOSTS THE G20: A DEFINING MOMENT IN THE COUNTRY’S SOCIAL AND POLITICAL LANDSCAPE
On Friday, 21 November 2025, South Africa reached a critical inflection point in its response to gender-based violence (GBV). As thousands of women and allies mobilised across major cities, the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) formally classified gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a national disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act. The timing was highly symbolic. The decision and the marches coincided with South Africa hosting world leaders for th
Nov 25, 2025


POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT IN TENDER CORRUPTION IN SOUTH AFRICA
Tender corruption has become one of the most pressing governance challenges in South Africa, undermining transparency, fairness, and public trust in the state. At its core, tender corruption occurs when public procurement processes are manipulated so that government contracts are awarded based on favouritism, bribery, or political influence rather than merit, capacity, or compliance with legal requirements. This practice distorts competition and diverts resources away from es
Nov 18, 2025


FROM ADMIN TO ADVOCACY: APPRECIATE YOUR ATTORNEY
“Appreciate those who give you their time. It is not just time, it is a piece of their life.” When people think of attorneys, they often picture courtrooms, dramatic arguments, and sharp suits delivering powerful closing statements. It is a glamorous image shaped by media and movies. But behind every moment like that is a mountain of unseen work. As someone who works in legal administration, I have a front-row seat to that world - the part that few ever see - and it deserve
Nov 11, 2025


BETWEEN PROTECTION AND DUE PROCESS: HOW SOUTH AFRICAN COURTS HANDLE GBV AND WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU NEED SAFETY OR FACE BASELESS CHARGES
The legal architecture South Africans live under South Africa has steadily tightened its laws to respond to gender‑based violence (GBV) while preserving fair‑trial rights: Domestic Violence Act No. 116 of 1998 (“DVA”) — the backbone statute for protection orders, now read with the Domestic Violence Amendment Act No. 14 of 2021, which broadened definitions, enabled easier applications (including after‑hours and electronically), and sharpened officials’ duties. It also confirms
Oct 28, 2025


THE LOUVRE HEIST AND THE LAW: WHAT IF IT HAPPENED IN SOUTH AFRICA?
Paris awoke to disbelief on the morning of the 19 th of October 2025. In one of the most daring crimes of the century, thieves in high-vis gear used a basket lift to reach the Louvre Museum’s façade, scaled the side of the world’s most famous museum, and entered through a second-floor window. Within minutes (reports vary between six and eight) they shattered display cases in the glittering Galerie d’Apollon and vanished with jewels worth millions: treasures that had adorned
Oct 21, 2025


YOUR RIGHTS AGAINST LOAN SHARKS: HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND SEEK LEGAL RECOURSE
If you’ve been caught in the cycle of borrowing from an illegal lender, often known as a loan shark, you are not alone. Loan sharks are unregulated lenders who often prey on vulnerable individuals by offering quick, unsecured loans with excessively high interest rates and unethical repayment terms. However, it is important to understand that you have legal rights, and there are steps you can take to address this situation. At Gittins Attorneys Incorporated, we are profi
Oct 14, 2025


THE MADLANGA COMMISSION: WHY IT MATTERS, WHAT IT’S FOR, AND WHAT SOUTH AFRICANS HAVE HEARD SO FAR
What is the Madlanga Commission? Formally titled the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and...
Oct 7, 2025


HELPING CHILDREN HEAL: WHY THERAPY SHOULD BE PART OF DIVORCE PROCESSES
At Gittins Attorneys, we understand that divorce is one of life’s most difficult transitions. It does not only affect the couple - it...
Sep 30, 2025


CELEBRATING HERITAGE DAY
Originally observed as Shaka Day or Shaka's Day in KwaZulu-Natal, 24 September commemorated the death of King Shaka Zulu in 1828. King...
Sep 23, 2025


THE LEGAL WEIGHT OF A NAME
Jordaan and Others v Minister of Home Affairs and Another (CCT 296/24) [2025] On 11 September 2025, the Constitutional Court confirmed...
Sep 23, 2025


PROTECTING CHILDREN IN THE AGE OF ROBLOX
Roblox has become one of the most popular online gaming platforms in the world, attracting millions of children every day. Its colourful...
Sep 9, 2025


“SHOOT FIRST, ASK QUESTIONS LATER”? WHY THAT IS NOT SOUTH AFRICAN SELF-DEFENSE LAW
“SHOOT FIRST, ASK QUESTIONS LATER”? WHY THAT IS NOT SOUTH AFRICAN SELF-DEFENSE LAW A recent YouTube video titled “Shoot first, ask...
Sep 2, 2025


10 LAWS TO KNOW IN YOUR 20’S
South Africa’s legal system often feels complex and intimidating, but the reality is that many of its rules affect everyday life in very...
Aug 26, 2025


NAVIGATING SOUTH AFRICA’S CHANGING LABOUR LAW LANDSCAPE
South Africa’s labour law environment has always been dynamic, but recent developments have made it more complex than ever. Employers are...
Aug 19, 2025


LEFT BEHIND: THE CRISIS OF HOSPITAL-ABANDONED BABIES IN SOUTH AFRICA
In hospitals across South Africa, a silent crisis is unfolding. Newborns—many healthy and viable—are being abandoned by mothers who feel...
Aug 12, 2025


URGENT APPLICATIONS FOR CHILD SUPPORT: BEYOND “BLOOD ON THE WALL”
When parents turn to the High Court’s urgent roll for immediate maintenance relief, they often hear that only matters with “blood on the...
Aug 5, 2025


THE DIGITAL LAW COMPANY AND ITS FIGHT AGAINST ABUSERS AND THEIR TECH IMMUNITY
Introduction The distribution of sexually explicit images and videos of children continues to plague social media platforms. In early...
Jul 29, 2025


INTRODUCING CHATGPT AGENTS: WHAT THIS MEANS FOR SOUTH AFRICA
In the ever-evolving world of technology, a new innovation is poised to transform how South Africans live, work, and do business. ChatGPT...
Jul 22, 2025
bottom of page