The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), acknowledges the impact that the COVID- 19 pandemic and the national lockdown, in terms of the Disaster Management Act, has had on companies and close corporations and may continue to have in the near future. With the move of South Africa to lockdown level 1 and the re-start of the economy, it is imperative that all entities re-commence with their regulatory compliance obligations.

As from 1 December 2020, all companies and close corporations shall be required to comply with the provisions of the Companies Act, Act 71 of 2008 as amended and within the prescribed legal timeframes from such date – thus no further extension of legal timeframes as provided for in the below named notices will be provided. As from 1 December 2020, CIPC will enforce penalties for late filings of Annual Returns. Companies and Close Corporations that have not yet filed are encouraged to file timeously to avoid incurring penalties for late filing.