SABC TV licence warning: Pay up or face jail time

South Africans have been warned to continue paying their SABC TV licences on time, or risk mounting penalties, debt collection, and legal action, including a possible prison sentence.

SABC TV LICENCES – PAY OR FACE JAIL

This week, the SABC doubled down on its warning to South African TV owners to continue paying their TV licenses on time, or face the consequences.

Those who ignore calls to pay or pay late incur mounting penalties, on top of the outstanding fees, which are handed over to debt collection agencies.

Non-compliance is tracked via internal databases, retail registers, or third-party debt collectors.

There are also legal ramifications – in the SABC’s official TV Licence FAQ, the broadcaster outlined how anyone found guilty in court of contravening the legislation may face a fine of up to R500, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

WHEN CAN YOU STOP PAYING?

South Africans are required to diligently pay their SABC TV licence unless they formally cancel it.

According to the Broadcasting Act, No 4 of 1999, any person or entity that has a TV set in its possession and/or uses it must pay a TV licence, irrespective of whether the TV set is used.

The current fee is R265 per annum. Overdue or unpaid fees are handed to SABC’s debt collectors.

TV licences may only be cancelled when individuals have sold or otherwise disposed of their television set. However, the SABC must be notified in writing – via an affidavit – of the changed circumstances.