A television licence is a form of tax that is directed towards funding the public broadcasting sector. To explain further, South African citizens are required to pay a fee for owning a TV set and for having access to television broadcasts. The goal is to allow public broadcasting services to be able to operate without relying on money from paid adverts. It is this fee that is called a television licence. So, if you own a television set and have access to TV channels, you are required to pay this fee.
In the subsequent paragraphs of this article, we will provide you with all the necessary information to apply for a tv licence in South Africa, including information on how to check your payment status and request a cancellation of the licence.
How do I get a TV licence in South Africa?
To apply for a TV licence, you have to make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and have all the necessary documentation. A full list of the required documents will be made available in the following sections:
Eligibility:
The is only one eligibility criterion;
Any person that owns one or more television sets is eligible to apply for a television licence. The same applies to an organisation or group; you have one or more television sets. So if you have a TV set, either at home or in your office (or both), you should be able to apply to have your TV licence issued to you. Each household needs only one licence for all TV sets in the house, on the condition that one person owns all the television sets in that house. So there is no need to have a licence for every TV set in the house except if it was purchased by different people.
Requirements:
the following requirements are necessary for you to be able to apply for a TV licence:
- The applicant should have identification documents.
- If you are not a South African citizen, you will be required to present your passport information as your identification document.
- You will be required to pay the initial licence fee, which is paid as a lump sum for first-time applicants.
- You should have the completed application form.
A step-by-step guide to applying for a TV licence in South Africa
To apply, you should visit the nearest Post Office or a retailer that has been authorised to issue TV licences. Complete the following steps to apply for a TV licence:
- You can check the nearest retailer or post office by contacting the South African Broadcasting Corporation through this direct link: https://www.tvlic.co.za/tvlic/.
- You can also any additional inquiries by contacting the SABC.
- Once you have the information about where you can go to apply for the licence, visit the office and get the licence application form.
- Carefully fill out the application form with all relevant and authentic information.
- Ensure that all the documents that you are supposed to attach to your application are present. Once you have completed the form, attach the documents to it.
- You will be required to pay a fee, and check at the office for the exact cost. Upon payment, you will then be able to submit your application to the official present for further verification.
- After due processing, you shall issue your television licence.
- You will be required to renew your licence every year.
How much is the TV licence in South Africa?
If you are a first-time applicant for a television licence, you will be required to pay an annual fee of R265. This is paid as a lump sum. The licence must be renewed every year. For renewal payment, applicants are allowed to spread out the payment by paying about R28 monthly. If you do not pay your renewal fee for some reason, you will be charged with a 10% penalty for missing out on a payment.
You can pay your licence fees online with your credit card or through your bank’s online payment services. If not, you may as well pay with cash at the nearest office.
How do you check if your TV licence is paid?
To make sure your TV licence is paid, you can check your payment balance by following this three-step plan:
Step one: launch the SABC television official website by following this direct link: https://www.tvlic.co.za/tvlic/
Step two: log into your account by putting in your TV licence account number or your identification number
Step 3: After inputting your login details, click on submit. By clicking the submit button, you will be automatically redirected to the page where your balance and payment details are displayed.
Also Read: How to Book And Apply For a Learner’s Licence Online
How do I cancel my tv licence?
For your licence to be cancelled, you have to meet certain conditions stipulated by the South African Broadcasting Corporation. These conditions include:
- You should be able to state the date from which the television stopped being in your possession.
- You should explain what happened to the television set and mention if it got bad or disposed of.
- If you sold the television set or gave it to someone as a gift, then you will have to give the new owner’s personal information.
- If the television set was stolen, you would have to provide the police case report and, most specifically, the case number.
- In the situation where a store repossessed the television set, you must include the name of the store. You are also required to include the store manager’s signature and a stamp.
- You must also prove that the only television set you had was the one that you are no longer in possession of and that there are no other television sets in your household.
To place a cancellation request at the South African Broadcasting Corporation, you must submit an affidavit proving that you meet one or more of those conditions.
You would also have to complete the form and send it to SABC through this direct mail; tvlic.info@sabc.co.za.
After submitting the cancellation request, SABC has the right to send inspectors to verify if the conditions you stated in the affidavit are true.
SABC will notify you via mail if your request has been approved or not. If it is proven that you falsified information, you can be sued for a fine of up to R500 or spend time in prison. It can as well be both.
Tv licences are renewable, and you can do so online or at the post office closest to you. You can also pay to have your licence renewed at any SABC regional office. Although your TV licence is supposed to be renewed once every year, you can spread out your payments as stated above.
In conclusion, every South African is expected to have a TV licence and pay the monthly fee. It can be considered criminal to default this payment. And you may even face jail time for requesting unlawful cancellation. We hope that this article has provided you with all the information you need to apply for the licence. Check your payment status and the conditions under which you can apply to have your licence cancelled.
If you have any questions about the process or any inquiries, you can find more information on the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s official website or use this contact information:
Contact Details
Postal Private Bag X1, Auckland Park, 2006 Physical Address: Cnr Henley & Artillery Roads, Auckland Park, Johannesburg Tel: 011 714 9111 Fax: 011 714 9744 Website: www.sabc.co.za
