South Africans who ignore their SABC television licence fees may still face legal consequences, including a fine or imprisonment, despite the broadcaster’s long-running difficulties collecting unpaid accounts.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) says the current TV licence system is failing and should be scrapped. However, it has warned consumers that the existing law remains in force until Parliament or the government changes it.
Although the risk of prosecution appears extremely low in practice, OUTA cautions that non-payment should not be treated as automatically free of legal consequences.
What Punishment Does the Law Allow for Unpaid TV Licences?
According to the SABC’s TV licence frequently asked questions, anyone convicted in court of failing to comply with the relevant regulations may face:
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A fine of up to R500.
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Imprisonment for up to six months.
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Both a fine and imprisonment.
These are potential penalties following a court conviction, not automatic punishments for simply missing a payment.
The SABC also states that overdue accounts may be referred to its lawyers for debt collection. Late accounts can incur a penalty of 10% per month, subject to a maximum of 100% per year, according to the broadcaster’s published guidance.
Residents should distinguish between demands for payment from debt collectors and criminal prosecution. A collection notice is not the same as a court finding of guilt.
Why Are TV Licence Defaulters Rarely Taken to Court?
Despite the penalties set out in the law, OUTA says it is unaware of cases in which people have been prosecuted specifically for failing to pay their TV licences.
The organisation’s position is that pursuing individual defaulters through the courts could cost the SABC more than it would recover. In 2023, OUTA chief executive Wayne Duvenage argued that the amounts involved made criminal legal action an unattractive option for the broadcaster.
However, the absence of known prosecutions does not mean the law has been repealed or that future action is impossible.
The SABC continues to use debt collectors and legal representatives to pursue outstanding accounts.
85% of TV Licence Accounts Remained Unpaid
The scale of non-payment highlights the challenges facing the public broadcaster.
During the 2024/25 financial year, approximately 85% of billed TV licence accounts remained unpaid, according to figures reported from the SABC’s financial statements. The broadcaster collected about R758 million in licence fees, up from approximately R687 million in the previous financial year.
The figures underline the difficulty of relying on household licence payments to finance public broadcasting when most billed accounts are not being paid.
OUTA Wants TV Licences Replaced With Government Funding
OUTA maintains that the existing licence system should be scrapped and replaced with a more sustainable funding model.
One option proposed by the organisation is a regular government grant to support the SABC’s public broadcasting responsibilities. OUTA says any such arrangement must include strict financial oversight, transparency and accountability to ensure public money is properly managed.
The organisation has also warned against simply replacing the TV licence with another compulsory household levy. Such a measure could increase pressure on households already struggling with living costs without resolving the underlying problems affecting the current system.
OUTA argues that the SABC provides an important public service, but its funding arrangements need to be sustainable and fair to the public.
Must South Africans Still Pay Their TV Licences?
For now, OUTA’s message is clear: the current legal requirement remains in place until the relevant legislation changes.
Consumers who are liable for TV licence fees should not assume that non-payment carries no legal risk simply because prosecutions appear uncommon.
At the same time, the maximum penalties outlined by the SABC are penalties that may follow a conviction in court, not automatic consequences of receiving a debt-collection message.
The wider debate now centres on whether South Africa should retain the existing licence system or move towards a different funding arrangement for the public broadcaster.
