The CIPC has announced compliance inspections to verify Beneficial Ownership records and supporting information.
The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) has issued Customer Notice 36 of 2026, advising that it will conduct inspections to verify compliance with Beneficial Ownership (BO) requirements.
The inspections are aimed at confirming that information submitted to the CIPC is accurate, complete and supported by the entity’s records.
What does this mean for you?
If your company or close corporation is selected for an inspection, the CIPC may conduct it virtually or on-site. Directors of companies or members of close corporations may be required to attend personally.
The CIPC may request records such as:
- Beneficial Ownership information and supporting documents
- Securities or beneficial interest registers, where applicable
- Shareholding and ownership structures
- Director records
- Other information required to verify compliance
Check that your records are current
A beneficial owner generally includes a natural person who directly or indirectly holds 5% or more of an entity, or exercises effective control.
Beneficial Ownership information must be kept accurate and updated when changes occur, as well as reviewed as part of the annual CIPC compliance process.
Non-compliance may result in enforcement action, compliance notices and administrative penalties. Providing false or misleading information may also have more serious consequences.
If Secundes currently assists you with your company secretarial or CIPC compliance requirements, or you are unsure whether your Beneficial Ownership information is up to date, please contact our team.
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