South Africa’s legal environment, like many countries’, includes laws that may feel unusual or unexpected to residents and travellers alike.
Some reflect historic legacies; others aim to protect people, wildlife or public order in ways we don’t usually think about.
Here are five surprising things that are illegal (or strictly regulated) in South Africa, along with why the laws exist and what someone should know.
1. Removing sand from beaches is illegal
At first glance, grabbing a handful of sand from the beach seems harmless. But in South Africa, it can land you in legal trouble. Under environmental legislation, many coastal areas regard the sand and related material as state property, and taking it without proper permission can be an offence.
Why: Coastal sand removal can contribute to erosion, habitat loss, and broader environmental damage.
What to watch: If you’re at a beach and someone offers “take some sand home as a souvenir”, check first. It’s not always legal.
2. Owning a tortoise (without a permit)
It may surprise many, but owning certain tortoises in South Africa without the right permit is illegal.
Why: Many tortoise species are indigenous and/or potentially threatened. The law aims to regulate their collection, trade, transport and ownership to protect their welfare and the ecosystem.
What to watch: If you find a tortoise on the road and take it home thinking you’re doing a “good deed”, you could actually be committing an offence. Always check regulations and permit requirements under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) and provincial wildlife laws.
3. Accusing someone of witchcraft or claiming you can harm others with magic is actually illegal
Here’s a law that may sound archaic, but it is still in effect. The Witchcraft Suppression Act 3 of 1957 (and its amendments) criminalises certain acts around accusations of witchcraft, or claiming you can cause harm through supernatural means.
Why: Historically and culturally, accusations of witchcraft have resulted in real harm, violence or social exclusion. The law attempts to protect persons from being falsely accused or threatened on that basis.
What to watch: Even if belief in “witchcraft” seems informal, making threatening statements or claiming supernatural power to harm someone might cross a criminal line.
4. Colouring your pet an unnatural colour for decoration
An unusual one: Under the Animals Protection Act 1962, it is illegal to dye animals (for example, puppies or ducks) purely for decorative or aesthetic purposes.
Why: Animal welfare: dyeing may harm the animal (either physically or behaviourally) and is considered an unnecessary modification for aesthetic purposes.
What to watch: If you stroll into a pet store or groomer and see “dyed puppies” being sold for looks, that may be a red flag for an illegal/irregular practice.
5. Public nudity (outside designated zones)
One to definitely look out for over the festive season: in some municipalities, appearing naked or even “partially clothed in a way that may offend” in public spaces is illegal unless in a designated nudist zone (e.g., certain beaches).
Why: This is partly about public decency laws and the desire to regulate behaviour in public spaces so everyone’s rights are respected.
What to watch: If you’re at a beach or a public place and consider nudity or minimal clothing, check the local by-laws or signage: what may be acceptable in one zone may not be elsewhere.
