When you complain to the South African Revenue Service (SARS), they will issue an acknowledgment notification to you on the same day. SARS aims to resolve the complaint within 21 business days after it was logged. If you are still not satisfied with the outcome, you may follow the Tax Ombud process. You will receive an SMS or email notification at various stages of the process.
Types of complaints
The following is a list of the complaint categories. Please indicate the appropriate one when submitting your complaint:
| No | Category | Example |
| 1 | Legal/Policy | For example, the contact center is very slow to answer, or there is no parking at branch X. |
| 2 | For example, the contact centre is very slow to answer, or there is no parking at branch X. | For example, debit cards are not accepted for payments. |
| 3 | Channel experience/environment/technical issues | For example, agent X was rude, or the agent did not know how to assist me. |
| 4 | Quality and speed of service* | For example, incorrect resolution of request, or it took 6 months to process my banking detail change. |
| 5 | Unresolved service/operational matter* | Employee behavior/Competence |
| 6 | Missing or lost documentation* | For example, I have submitted my return, but SARS cannot find it. |
* You need a case number first for the last three categories. In other words, if your complaint relates to ‘Quality and speed of service’, ‘Unresolved service/operational matter’ or ‘Missing or lost documentation’, the complaint will only be accepted if there is already a case logged and the case number is inserted on the form. It can either be the original case number or a follow-up case number.
Before you lodge a complaint
Before you complain, you are requested to
- Engage the supervisor or manager at the point of contact to resolve your service issue with SARS.
- Call the SARS Contact Centre (0800 00 7277) if the matter has still not been resolved.
- Make sure you get a case number as you will need this case number if you want to go further and lodge a complaint.
Once you have exhausted all these processes you can now lodge a complaint.
What to expect after you complained
You will receive an SMS or email notification at various stages of the process:
- When you’ve logged your complaint, you will receive an acknowledgment notification the same day.
- The resolution date will be a maximum of 21 business days after the complaint was logged.
- If you are still not satisfied with the outcome, you may follow the Tax Ombud process.
Overview of Public Universities in South Africa
Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.
University of Pretoria
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
- Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.
University of Cape Town
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
- Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.
Stellenbosch University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
- Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.
University of the Witwatersrand
- Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
- Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.
University of Johannesburg
- Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
- Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.
University of the Free State
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.
University of Venda
- Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
- Application Period: Usually from May to September.
University of Fort Hare
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
- Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.
University of the Western Cape
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
- Application Period: Generally from May to September.
North-West University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
- Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.
Rhodes University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
- Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.
Nelson Mandela University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
- Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.
University of Limpopo
- Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
- Application Period: From April to September.
University of Zululand
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
- Application Period: Usually between April and November.
Central University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
- Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.
Vaal University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
- Application Period: Typically from May to September.
Walter Sisulu University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
- Application Period: From April to September.
This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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