Last Updated: June 2026
This Privacy Policy applies to the website and legal services of Makhokha Attorneys Incorporated (“Makhokha Attorneys”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) and is aligned with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA), the POPIA Amendment Regulations (effective 17 April 2025), and other applicable South African legislation.
We are committed to protecting your personal information and respecting your privacy. By using our website or engaging our legal services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
1. Introduction
Makhokha Attorneys Incorporated is committed to processing personal information lawfully, fairly, and transparently.
As a legal practice, we understand the importance of confidentiality and implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect the personal information entrusted to us by clients, prospective clients, employees, business partners, and visitors to our website.
This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and the rights you have regarding your information.
2. Information We Collect
We collect only the personal information necessary to provide legal services and operate our practice effectively.
Information You Provide Directly
We may collect:
- Full name
- Identity or passport number (where required)
- Company or business information
- Physical and postal address
- Telephone and mobile numbers
- Email address
- Information contained in legal enquiries
- Information submitted through our contact forms
- Documents provided for legal matters
- Billing and payment information
- Correspondence with our firm
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:
- IP address
- Browser type and version
- Device information
- Website usage statistics
- Cookies and similar technologies
- Pages visited and navigation history
Information from Third Parties
Where permitted by law, we may receive personal information from:
- Government departments
- Courts and tribunals
- Regulatory authorities
- Credit bureaux
- Public records
- Opposing attorneys
- Advocates
- Law enforcement agencies
- Other professional advisers
- Clients authorised to provide third-party information
3. How We Use Your Information
We use personal information for legitimate legal and business purposes, including to:
- Provide legal advice and legal representation
- Manage litigation and dispute resolution matters
- Draft legal agreements and documents
- Communicate with clients
- Schedule consultations
- Conduct conflict-of-interest checks
- Verify identity where required by law
- Manage billing and payments
- Comply with court rules and statutory obligations
- Improve our website and client services
- Maintain professional records
- Protect our legal rights
4. Legal Basis for Processing
In accordance with POPIA, we process personal information on one or more of the following legal grounds:
- Your consent
- Performance of a contract or mandate
- Compliance with legal obligations
- Protection of legitimate interests
- Exercise or defence of legal rights
- Legitimate interests pursued by our legal practice where these do not override your rights
5. Your Rights
Under POPIA, you have the right to:
- Request access to your personal information
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Request deletion where legally permissible
- Object to the processing of your personal information
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
- Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa
- Opt out of direct marketing communications at any time
Requests may be submitted free of charge using the contact details provided below.
6. Attorney-Client Confidentiality
All information received from clients during the course of a legal mandate is treated as confidential, subject to applicable law and the rules governing legal professional privilege.
Communications submitted through our website or email before we formally accept your instruction may not automatically be protected by attorney-client privilege.
An attorney-client relationship is only established once we have formally accepted your instruction in writing.
7. Direct Marketing
Where applicable, Makhokha Attorneys may send newsletters, legal updates, or invitations to seminars only where you have provided your explicit consent or where otherwise permitted by law.
We do not use pre-ticked consent boxes.
Every marketing communication contains a simple mechanism allowing you to unsubscribe or withdraw your consent at any time.
8. Retention of Personal Information
We retain personal information only for as long as:
- Required to fulfil the purpose for which it was collected;
- Necessary to comply with applicable legislation;
- Required under legal professional obligations;
- Necessary for defending or enforcing legal rights.
When no longer required, information is securely destroyed or anonymised.
9. Security of Information
We maintain appropriate technical and organisational safeguards designed to protect personal information against:
- Unauthorised access
- Disclosure
- Loss
- Alteration
- Destruction
- Misuse
Should a security compromise occur involving personal information, we will notify affected persons and the Information Regulator where required by POPIA.
10. Sharing Personal Information
We do not sell personal information.
Personal information may be disclosed where necessary to:
- Courts
- Tribunals
- Regulatory authorities
- Advocates
- Correspondent attorneys
- Sheriffs
- Government departments
- Expert witnesses
- Service providers assisting our practice under confidentiality obligations
- Other parties where disclosure is legally required or authorised by the client
11. Cookies
Our website uses cookies to improve user experience and website performance.
Visitors may manage cookie preferences through their browser settings. Essential cookies required for website functionality cannot be disabled.
12. Children’s Privacy
Our legal services are not intended for children under the age of 18 unless represented by a parent, guardian, or authorised representative.
Where we become aware that personal information relating to a child has been collected unlawfully, we will delete it as soon as reasonably practicable.
13. International Transfers
Where necessary for legal matters involving foreign jurisdictions, personal information may be transferred outside South Africa, subject to appropriate safeguards and applicable law.
14. Changes to this Policy
We reserve the right to amend this Privacy Policy at any time.
Updated versions will be published on this website.
15. Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights under POPIA, please contact:
Makhokha Attorneys Incorporated
Director: Makhokha Makhokha
1 Morula Street
Alveda Ext 8
Johannesburg South
2091
Telephone: 071 175 9120
