SABC TV licence: Who doesn't have to pay?
The few groups that don’t have to pay the SABC TV Licence in South Africa
Image: Independent Media
Despite widespread non-compliance with SABC TV licence payments, only a small group of individuals and institutions are legally exempt from paying.
IOL previously reported that as debates around the relevance of the SABC TV licence continue to intensify, not paying your TV licence could still land you in serious legal and financial trouble.
The TV licence, which costs R265 a year, was originally intended to fund the public broadcaster and support local programming. However, over the years, it has increasingly been questioned, with many South Africans doubting its relevance in the era of streaming services and online content.
Less than 20% of South African households are paying their TV licence fees. The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, has previously said the government is exploring new funding models for the SABC, including possible alternatives to the traditional licence fee.
"I think there's always going to be different ideas that are being ventilated in the space about what the best model of funding would be, and those represent individuals' views. I think our responsibility is to make sure that we are mindful of several things," Malatsi said.
However, while most South Africans remain legally required to pay, the SABC’s own FAQ makes it clear that exemptions are extremely limited.
Public schools are the only educational institutions exempt from holding a TV licence. Private schools, universities, hospitals, charities and religious organisations are all still required to comply.
"Yes. Public schools are the ONLY educational institutions exempted from the legal requirement of having a television licence. Private schools, universities and other tertiary educational institutions, hospitals, old age or frail-care homes, charities and churches or religious organisations are NOT exempted," the public broadcaster says on its FAQ Page.
The public broadcaster further adds that, for individuals, exemption is only possible in limited technical circumstances where television receiving equipment has been permanently altered so that it can no longer receive a broadcast signal.
"If one’s television equipment (TV set and VCR) has been “denatured” by having the receiving capability (signal receiver or “tuner”) removed, a television licence is not required".