SABC TV License

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Leoxii2000

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Hi guys,

I need a bit of assistance regarding my TV license. Back in 2005, I bought a 74cm TV which required me to get a TV license. This TV has since been replaced by my parents for their 47" LCD TV. (they now have their own TV License)

I bought a 40" Sony Bravia back in 2009 which has never seen any form of an antenna. I purely use it for my PC and PS3, nothing else.

Can someone tell me what the stance is regarding SABC TV licensing? From what I understand, if you own a TV you must have a TV license, but what about the fact that I am not using it as a TV at all?

Thanks!
 
If it has a receiver, then you have to get a licence irrespective if you use it for watching SABC or using it as a paperweight.
 
Leoxii2000 said:
Hi guys,

I need a bit of assistance regarding my TV license. Back in 2005, I bought a 74cm TV which required me to get a TV license. This TV has since been replaced by my parents for their 47" LCD TV. (they now have their own TV License)

I bought a 40" Sony Bravia back in 2009 which has never seen any form of an antenna. I purely use it for my PC and PS3, nothing else.

Can someone tell me what the stance is regarding SABC TV licensing? From what I understand, if you own a TV you must have a TV license, but what about the fact that I am not using it as a TV at all?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

If you have any device that can pick up a terrestrial signal you must have a licence, even if you don't use it.
I have not had sabc in my house for years but they don't care.

Basically once you have it you are stuck with it forever (even after you die).
 
OGroteKoning said:
If it has a receiver, then you have to get a licence irrespective if you use it for watching SABC or using it as a paperweight.
Click to expand...

^ This.

As long as it has a tuner, it's a TV, so you still need a license. If it's just a display panel ie. no built in tuner, then it's cool and you wouldn't need a license to buy one, although I think that changes if you were to plug in a DSTV decoder, for example.
 
shanezn said:
^ This.

As long as it has a tuner, it's a TV, so you still need a license. If it's just a display panel ie. no built in tuner, then it's cool and you wouldn't need a license to buy one, although I think that changes if you were to plug in a DSTV decoder, for example.
Click to expand...

Once he has it there is not much chance of him getting rid of it.
 
I've got my TV license going off on a monthly debit. It works out to a little more if you pit it against the cost of paying the annual fee, but it's less of a headache. I think it's about R26 a month or something.
 
shanezn said:
I've got my TV license going off on a monthly debit. It works out to a little more if you pit it against the cost of paying the annual fee, but it's less of a headache. I think it's about R26 a month or something.
Click to expand...

Headache? 15 seconds to do an EFT to a predefined beneficiary isn't a headache...
 
Every household needs ONE licence. If there are more than one tv in the house, you only need one licence.
 
Quick thought ? has anyone or do you know anyone that has been successfully prosecuted for not having one or even fined for that matter ?
 
chewiesw said:
Quick thought ? has anyone or do you know anyone that has been successfully prosecuted for not having one or even fined for that matter ?
Click to expand...
If you haven't paid yours for two years (like yours truly) you will get a mail like the below every month..

1.We refer to the above matter as well as our previous contact with you regarding your outstanding/overdue TV licence account.



2. It is common cause that you have ignored all our previous demands for payment on behalf of the SABC ("our client").The arrears currently amounts to R950.50.



3. Insofar as it was not clear from our previous contact with you, we want to reiterate that the payment of a TV licence is a statuatory (legal) obligation in terms of the Broadcasting Act (Act No.4 of 1999) and the Television Licence Regulations under the Act.



4.The underlying purpose of a television licence is to legalize the possession and/or use of a television set. No person may have in his possession and/or use a tv set without having a valid (paid up) licence issued by the SABC against payment of the prescribed fee. The licence fee remains payable regardless of what the a television set is used for, or whether it is used at all. Ownership of a TV set is irrelevant. Whoever has it in his/her possession is liable for payment of a television licence.


5.It is perhaps important to advise you that ignorance of the law is no excuse. Such ignorance may have profound consequences.

6. Failure or a refusal to pay one's TV Licence fees involves two elements:

A civil matter of an overdue account, in other words, monies consisting of unpaid licence fees and penalties owing to the SABC; and
Criminal contravention of the Broadcasting Act.

7.Having regard to the above, it will be in your best interest to contact our offices as a matter of extreme urgency on 0877401213 to conclude an updated arrangement. Further to this, if you sign up to pay by debit order, we may be able to assist you by preventing monthly penalties being charged to your account. Terms and conditions apply.Contact VVM within 7 working days of this letter.

8. We await to hear from you as a matter of extreme urgency

Please note: Instalment amount, balance figures and dates are correct as at time of sending this email. These figures are subject to change without notice.





Yours faithfully


____________________
VVM Debt Collectors
Telephone Number: 0877401213
Click to expand...

Don't ask me how they got to R950 for two years in arrears :)
 
YingYang said:
If you haven't paid yours for two years (like yours truly) you will get a mail like the below every month..



Don't ask me how they got to R950 for two years in arrears :)
Click to expand...

There's something like a 10% penalty every month.
 
AstroTurf said:
Basically once you have it you are stuck with it forever (even after you die).
Click to expand...

So true. Still get threatening letters from SABC regarding my wifes deceased father. Four years now.
I've got tired of sending them copies of the death certificate. I'll just wait for them to try take a dead man to court.
 
Thanks guys, though it sucks. But I will still attempt since there is already one TV license in the house, so mine is not needed. Let's see how it goes. But since deceased people still "pay", I foresee this isn't going to work...
 
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