This is deemed as a problem as all services linked to this domain will cease to function. Users will not be able to access google.co.za until the domain is reactivated. However, users can still access Google with the “.com” extension.

According to mybroadband.co.za, Google appears to have failed to renew the registration for google.co.za. Domains are renewed annually, with some registrars allowing customers to renew their domains several years in advance.

Many also offer automatic renewal, allowing them to renew domains on the clients’ behalf, provided they have a valid payment method on file at the time. Google.co.za’s public records show that it was first registered on 25 June 2001 at 22:38 South African time. MarkMonitor is the registrar on record for the domain, and the registrar expiration date was at 22:38 on 25 June 2022.

The domain has been suspended and is pending deletion. As the domain has not been deleted yet, Google should be able to reactivate it by paying MarkMonitor.

Industry sources with knowledge of South Africa’s domain registration systems confirmed that this interpretation of the public data was the most likely explanation.

MyBroadband contacted Google for comment, but it could not immediately provide feedback.

OFM News/Bambatha Giko