South Africans who no longer own a TV or have left the country don’t require a TV licence, but cancelling one is easier said than done.

According to the Broadcasting Act of 1999, households with devices capable of receiving television broadcast signals are required to hold a TV licence.

The responsibility extends to retailers selling TVs, which must ensure that the person buying a TV from them holds a valid TV licence or assist the buyer in acquiring one.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has listed the steps for cancelling a TV licence on its FAQ page.

“When one has sold or otherwise disposed of one’s television set(s), a TV licence is no longer required,” it said.

“The SABC must be notified on a prescribed form (affidavit) of the changed circumstances. No licence is cancelled while money is still outstanding on an account.”

The notification should then be submitted in person to an SABC branch or emailed to tvlic.info@sabc.co.za.

However, while the process may seem straightforward, many TV licence holders have experienced significant challenges when trying to cancel theirs.

“Over six years ago, I settled my account, requested that they close it, and now I have over R1,000 outstanding because they simply didn’t close it,” one user posted in Reddit’s r/askSouthAfrica thread.

According to the SABC, emigrants and people moving abroad for more than a year must submit proof of their travels to the public broadcaster.

This can include a copy of a stamped passport reflecting the departure date, as well as a visa, work permit, contract, or utility bill. However, this can also be challenging.

“I emigrated 12 years ago and cancelled it. Sent all the proper paperwork, etc., and still receive the occasional email asking for something dumb like R10,000 now,” another user posted on Reddit.

Those who opt to take their TV set with them must provide proof of shipping, such as shipping documents or a manifest, from the furniture removals or shipping company.

Removing a TV set’s tuner

The SABC’s TV licence FAQ page also stipulates the process for giving away, donating, or selling a TV or TVs to someone in South Africa before emigration.

In this scenario, the seller must furnish the SABC with the buyer’s details. If they opt to store their TV in South Africa, it must be stored on the premises of a storage or removal company.

“In that case, confirmation (specifying the storage period) is required by way of a letter/invoice/receipt of the company concerned,” the SABC said.

It added that storing a TV in one’s garage, store room, or with parents or friends will not qualify for a TV licence cancellation.

Should the person return to South Africa, their licence would remain active and reflect an overdue balance.

The FAQ page also mentions a process that could enable South Africans to keep their TVs and stop paying for a TV licence.

This involved having a technician remove the TV’s tuner, rendering it incapable of receiving broadcast TV signals. However, the process can be far more complex.

TV sets with the tuner removed are considered “denatured”, and the SABC requires documentary proof if a set’s tuner has been removed.

This can be in the form of a letter, invoice, or receipt from a reputable retailer or installer, and a payment of R300 must accompany it.

“After which an authorised agent will be dispatched to inspect the applicant’s TV equipment,” the broadcaster said.

“On receipt of confirmation from the agent that the applicant has no television receiving equipment in his/her possession, he/she will be exempted from payment of licence fees.”

The exemption is valid for the remainder of the current licensing period, and a written application must be submitted by affidavit each year, three months before the end of the licensing period.

However, the SABC added that it can send authorised inspectors to determine whether a TV’s receiving capabilities have been restored.

Those found to have restored their TV’s broadcast signal reception capabilities will be liable for applicable licence fees, penalties, and a R300 inspection fee.

However, in January 2026, the SABC told MyBroadband that it had no inspectors conducting TV set inspections.

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Source: https://mybroadband.co.za/news/broadcasting/657484-how-to-cancel-an-sabc-tv-licence-2.html?utm_source=newsletter