No. A private investigator does not have unrestricted access to another person’s bank account or bank statements. Financial information must be obtained through a lawful route, such as information supplied by an authorised person or an appropriate legal process.

Not simply because a client asks for them. Communication-related information is regulated by RICA and other applicable laws. Private investigators should not promise unrestricted access to private call records or communications.

A private investigator cannot lawfully hack or bypass security to access another person’s private WhatsApp messages. Evidence may be examined where the investigator has lawful access to the relevant device or information.

Private investigators should not represent that they can unlawfully obtain live cellphone-location information. Cellphone location and communication-related information are subject to legal restrictions.

Investigators can examine information that is lawfully and publicly accessible. Accessing private accounts by hacking, password theft or other unlawful means is a different matter and may constitute an offence.

A professional investigator may be able to establish an individual’s address through lawful tracing methods, public records, databases, field enquiries and other investigative techniques, depending on the circumstances.

Yes. Tracing and missing-person investigations are established areas of private investigation. The investigation may involve database research, interviews, OSINT, field enquiries and surveillance.

Corporate ownership and control information may be investigated through CIPC and other lawful corporate sources. Access to certain beneficial-ownership information may be restricted.

Yes. Corporate investigations can involve fraud, theft, employee misconduct, conflicts of interest, due diligence, corporate relationships, procurement concerns, asset tracing and other commercial matters.

A private investigator does not have unrestricted access to confidential criminal-record databases. Criminal-record information must be obtained through lawful and appropriate processes.

Credit information is regulated. Whether a credit report can lawfully be accessed depends on the purpose, applicable legislation, consent and other requirements.

Not simply by requesting them from SARS. Confidential tax information is protected and must be obtained through an appropriate lawful mechanism.

Yes, lawful surveillance is an established investigative technique. The investigator must nevertheless respect privacy and other legal restrictions.

Investigators may lawfully photograph matters that are observable from lawful locations, depending on the circumstances. The use of cameras does not provide a general licence to trespass, invade private spaces or conduct unlawful surveillance.

The answer depends on the circumstances and applicable law. RICA regulates interception and recording of communications, and investigators should obtain legal advice where the circumstances are unclear.

No. A private investigator does not independently possess the power to issue a subpoena. Formal subpoenas and other compulsory legal processes generally arise through courts or authorised legal processes.

A private investigator should not be confused with a police officer. Arrest powers are governed by law and are not a general investigative power that can be exercised simply because somebody has been identified as a suspect.

Potentially, yes. The usefulness and admissibility of evidence depend on the circumstances, the applicable rules of evidence, how the information was obtained, authenticity, relevance and other legal considerations.

Yes. Private investigation is a regulated activity within South Africa’s private-security framework. The investigator must operate within the applicable laws and regulatory requirements.

Yes. Employee misconduct, internal theft, fraud, absenteeism, moonlighting, conflicts of interest and other workplace matters may be investigated, provided the investigation is conducted lawfully and proportionately.

Yes. Infidelity investigations commonly involve lawful surveillance and observation. The investigator must nevertheless comply with applicable privacy and other laws.

An investigator may conduct lawful asset searches and tracing investigations using appropriate corporate, property, documentary, digital and investigative sources. This does not mean an investigator has unrestricted access to private banking information.

Provide as much relevant information as possible, including names, addresses, telephone numbers, company information, photographs, documents, dates, vehicle information, usernames, transaction records and other evidence already in your possession.

There is no universal timeframe. A straightforward verification may take considerably less time than a corporate fraud, asset-tracing, cybercrime or surveillance investigation. The scope, availability of information and complexity of the investigation determine the timeframe.