You need to submit a quote for cleaning in Butterworth or catering in Mthatha. The form says attach B-BBEE affidavit. You wonder if you must pay an agency and if it is still one page in 2026.
You need to quote and they ask for BEE affidavit – what is it?
A B-BBEE affidavit is a sworn statement. B-BBEE means Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment.
If you are very small, this paper replaces a BEE certificate. EME means Exempted Micro Enterprise. That is turnover of R10 million or less per year.
You swear what your turnover was and how much is black-owned. A Commissioner of Oaths at SAPS (South African Police Service) stamps it.
Can your small business use an affidavit?
Yes if your turnover last year was R10 million or less.
Spaza, sole proprietor, Pty Ltd, co-op in Cathcart, Hogsback, Komani or Gqeberha all qualify if under R10m.
Your BEE level comes from black ownership only. Black in BEE law means African, Coloured and Indian South Africans.
If 100% black-owned you get Level 1. If 51% black-owned you get Level 2. If 0% you still get Level 4.
What does the one-page affidavit actually say?
It is the official dtic form. dtic means Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. One page only.
It says:
- Business name and registration number if you have one.
- Turnover was R10 million or less.
- Black ownership percentage.
- Whether black owners are a designated group – black women, youth, people with disabilities, rural dwellers, military veterans.
- BEE level from ownership.
- Valid 12 months from stamp date.
You sign in front of commissioner. They add date, signature and stamp.
Is it still just one page and free in 2026?
Yes. In 2026 it is still one page, still free, still at SAPS or any Commissioner of Oaths.
Confusion came from agencies selling decorated versions. They use the same free dtic PDF, add logo, charge R500 to R1500. Many owners in East London and Makhanda paid thinking SAPS stopped.
SAPS version is still valid. For EME under R10m you do not need a verification agency.
How to get your free affidavit the right way?
Download dtic EME affidavit template from dtic website. Search “dtic EME affidavit 2026”.
Fill business name as on CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission) papers or municipal letter. Put real turnover, for example R240,000. Fill black ownership, for example 100% or 51%. Tick designated group if true, for example 100% black woman in rural Hogsback.
Take to SAPS with SA ID. Owner must sign there. If two owners, both go or one with authority letter and certified ID copies.
Officer commissions it, stamps free. Make three certified copies same day.
What is the difference between affidavit and certificate?
Affidavit is for EME under R10m. Free, sworn, no audit.
Certificate is for QSE and generic. QSE means Qualifying Small Enterprise, turnover over R10m up to R50m. Generic is over R50m. Those need a SANAS-accredited verification agency and full scorecard and must pay.
You need certificate only when you grow past R10m.
Sector codes: Tourism, construction, transport have special codes. If tender says “sector code EME”, use same one-page affidavit but write sector like “Tourism EME”. For most quotes generic EME version is fine.
Why you should not pay R500 to R1500 for an affidavit?
Agencies charging R500 to R1500 just fill the free form for you. Logo adds zero legal value.
Keep that money for stock. If you want to supply Shoprite or Pick n Pay, you need free affidavit plus vendor docs, not paid logo. Read what retailers need in our retail supplier guide.
Watch for fake paywalls that look official. Same tricks as job scams. Check our job scams check before you pay online.
Red flags: says valid 3 months only, must laminate, SAPS version banned, asks for eWallet to personal number.
How long is it valid and where will you need it?
Valid 12 months from commission date on stamp. Put expiry in phone calendar.
You need it for municipal supplier database, government RFQ and tender, private quotes, retail supplier registration at Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Boxer, SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) and YES (Youth Employment Service) paperwork.
Many offices ask for certified copy not older than 3 months, even though affidavit is valid 12 months. So certify fresh copy every 3 months at SAPS for free.
Keep clear PDF on phone to attach fast to email or WhatsApp, same neat way as you would for a cover letter in South Africa.
What BEE level will you get?
EME level is simple.
- 100% black-owned = Level 1, 135% recognition.
- 51% to 99% black-owned = Level 2, 125% recognition.
- Less than 51% or 0% = Level 4, 100% recognition. Even 0% gets Level 4.
Example: Lerato in Cathcart, cleaning, 100% black woman-owned, R380,000 turnover. Affidavit says 100%, black woman, Level 1.
Example: Johan in Makhanda, repairs, 0% black-owned, R1.9m turnover. Affidavit says 0%, Level 4. He still qualifies.
If ownership changes, do new affidavit that week and destroy old copies.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need CIPC for my spaza to get an affidavit?
No. Write “Sole proprietor – trading as [name]” where it asks for number. Use ID and address. Municipal letter is often enough. If buyer insists on CIPC, ask them to show written rule. EME affidavit does not need CIPC to be valid.
Can my sister take it to SAPS for me?
No. Owner who swears must be there with ID. If two directors, both must sign or one must bring authority and certified ID copies of other. SAPS will not stamp without you present.
What if I lose it or ownership changes?
Do a new one, free. Update turnover, ownership, designated group. Delete old scans so you do not submit wrong level.
Next step
Download dtic EME affidavit PDF today, fill real turnover and ownership, take ID to SAPS in Butterworth, Komani or Mthatha for free stamp, then scan to phone so next quote is ready.