CIPC: Delays in Disclosure and Finance Enquiries

Posted 24 April 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category CIPC

Brought to you by SA Accounting Academy: The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) has notified stakeholders of temporary delays in responding to enquiries within its Disclosures and Finance units.

In terms of the Companies Act, No. 71 of 2008, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) issued a notice on 17 April 2026 regarding increased turnaround times for service requests. The delays are attributed to the Commission’s transition from legacy dedicated mailboxes to the newly introduced Customer Enquiry Management System (CEMS).

As part of its modernisation efforts, the CIPC is currently clearing legacy mailboxes while simultaneously processing new enquiries logged through the CEMS. The Commission aims to improve response times and restore service levels through the following measures:

  • Clearing the backlog of legacy mailbox enquiries;
  • Prioritising new enquiries submitted via the CEMS platform; and
  • Implementing additional internal measures to restore standard service levels.

The CIPC has indicated that the CEMS is intended to provide a more efficient and transparent customer experience once the transition is complete. Stakeholders are encouraged to use the CEMS for all new enquiries to ensure proper tracking and management.

Click here to download the CIPC Notice: Disclosure and Finance Delays (17 April 2026).

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Monitor the status of any personal disclosure requests via the CEMS portal rather than following up through legacy email channels.
  • For your business: Adjust internal compliance timelines to account for extended turnaround times in financial reconciliations and disclosure processing at the CIPC.
  • For your clients: Advise clients of potential delays in obtaining statutory disclosure certificates, which may impact the closing dates of corporate transactions or due diligence processes.

Originally published at https://accountingacademy.co.za/news/read/cipc-temporary-delays-in-responding-to-disclosure-and-finance-enquiries

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