Legal updates and opinions
News / News
Urgent update: directions issued regarding the sale of clothing, footwear and bedding during Alert Level 4
by Jacques van Wyk, Director; Andre van Heerden, Senior Associate; and Thabisa Yantolo, Candidate Attorney
On 12 May 2020 the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Ebrahim Patel, published Directions (“Directions”) in terms of the Regulations issued by the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs in terms of the Disaster Management Act. The Directions provide details regarding the items of clothing, footwear and bedding that may be sold by retailers / purchased by consumers under Alert Level 4 of the lockdown. The items can be sold / purchased with effect of 12 May 2020. The items are set out below:
Clothing
- All baby and toddler clothing and footwear.
- All children’s wear, including:
- outerwear;
- underwear;
- sleepwear;
- school wear and school shoes;
- footwear;
- socks; and
- related accessories.
- All maternity wear.
- All adult sleepwear and gowns.
- All adult underwear.
- The following adult outerwear categories:
- active wear, including gym, running and other exercise apparel;
- knitwear;
- jackets and coats;
- dresses;
- long sleeved tops;
- long sleeved t-shirts;
- denim jeans and denim jackets;
- pants;
- skirts;
- short sleeved knit tops, where promoted and displayed as worn under cardigans and knitwear;
- short sleeved t-shirts, where promoted and displayed as under garments for warmth;
- leggings;
- crop bottoms worn with boots and leggings;
- shirts, either short- or long-sleeved, where displayed and promoted to be worn under jackets coats and / or knitwear;
- golf shirts; or
- one-pieces such as bodysuits.
- The following adult accessories:
- shawls and scarves;
- beanies;
- gloves;
- socks;
- belts;
- headwear;
- gym and exercise apparel accessories; and
- hair accessories.
Footwear
- The following adult footwear categories:
- boots;
- slippers;
- closed-toe heels;
- closed-toe flat shoes;
- sneakers and trainers;
- smart closed-toe shoes; or
- casual closed-toe shoes.
Bedding
- The following bedding categories:
- baby bedding and blankets;
- duvets;
- duvet inners;
- blankets;
- comforters;
- quilts;
- mattress protectors;
- pillows;
- throws;
- sheets and pillow cases; and
- electric blankets.
Should you require any formal advice regarding the above please feel free to contact us.
Latest News
Misuse of the business rescue process – failure before it begins
by Dr. Eric Levenstein, Director and Head of Insolvency & Business Rescue and Amy Mackechnie, Senior Associate Business rescue was introduced [...]
Constitutional Court clarifies rights of innocent contractors under invalid state contracts
by Sarah Moerane, Director and Kuhle Joja, Associate In Minister of Defence and Military Veterans v Zeal Health Innovations (Pty) [...]
Untangling the mischief of section 43 of the Electronic Communications Act: A missed opportunity in the Amendment Bill
by Corlett Manaka, Director and Head of Disputes, Akhona Bilatyi, Director and Koketso Rapoo, Senior Associate On 12 March 2026, [...]
A charge by any other name would smell as sweet
by Bradley Workman-Davies, Director The Labour Appeal Court's judgment in Machi v Chep SA (Pty) Ltd and Others serves as [...]
When a misdirected email becomes a data breach: The Information Regulator issues an enforcement notice on internal and accidental security compromises
by Armand Swart, Director, Hlonelwa Lutuli, Associate and Isabella Keeves, Candidate Attorney On 22 May 2026, South Africa’s Information Regulator [...]
Renting out your home? The Consumer Protection Act does not apply to you says Supreme Court of Appeal
by Armand Swart, Director In the judgment of Els v Venter and Another (449/2024) [2025] ZASCA 163 (27 October 2025), [...]
