What six banking disputes reveal about how the ombud thinks
The NFO’s 2025 annual report offers a glimpse into the disputes that reach the banking ombud – and the lessons they hold.
Author: Moonstone Information Refinery
Life Division complaints rise 18.8% as funeral disputes dominate
The division recorded more formal investigations in 2025, but improved turnaround times and secured almost R300 million for complainants.
Can a tax deduction be claimed a decade late?
A fuel exporter lost a R38.8-million deduction claim, but the Tax Court ruling may open a fresh battle over whether the correct tax years can still be re-opened.
SA’s ratings revival comes with a warning: don’t ignore the ‘uglies’
Fitch’s first upgrade in 21 years caps a remarkable turnaround, but hidden liabilities, weak growth, and structural problems stand between the country and investment-grade status.
NFO recovers R442.99m for consumers as complaints climb
Digital-banking scams, rejected funeral claims, and insurance disputes over exclusions and maintenance emerged as key pressure points in 2025.
SCOPA finds RAF failed experts, then tried to let their claims expire
Years of payment delays, missing invoices, and weak administration left medical experts unpaid, before the Fund sought to invoke prescription against some claims.
NFO’s only non-life final ruling of 2025 turns on theft, not ‘missing items’
Even though the SAPS case was marked ‘unfounded’, the NFO held this did not prove there had been no theft, and the policy claim fell within cover on the facts.
Bigger, older, and more concentrated: 7 facts reshaping medical schemes
Twenty years of industry data show that medical schemes have become increasingly dependent on scale, investment returns, and strong reserves to remain sustainable.
Convicted fraudster jailed again for second ‘investment’ scheme
More than 20 years after his first conviction, a court found that Andrew Futcher ran another scheme that left investors millions out of pocket.
Old Mutual sees strong Q1 as life sales rise and OM Bank customers jump
New life sales rose 28% in the quarter to March, while stronger investment inflows and a better new business margin supported a broadly positive update.
Medscheme rejects Bonitas’s explanation for post-transition disruptions
Medscheme says it repeatedly warned Bonitas against a ‘clean-cut’ transition and disputes the scheme’s claim that unresolved legacy issues were behind the service disruptions experienced by members after the administration switch.
SCOPA presses ahead with Letsoalo charge despite legal risk
SCOPA votes to proceed with a criminal charge against former RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo, despite uncertainty over whether the summons he ignored was served correctly.
Opposition MPs press FIC for answers on Phala Phala matter
The Centre said the law prevents it from confirming whether it has received, analysed, or shared information relating to specific cases or individuals.
COFI is changing the FSCA before it changes the industry
The Authority is adapting its supervisory model, regulatory framework, and systems to support an outcomes-based approach to conduct regulation.
Bogdanov to challenge ruling upholding JSE sanctions
The FST dismisses former EOH director Anushka Bogdanov’s application for reconsideration of sanctions imposed over misrepresented qualifications.
Tribunal draws a hard line on undisclosed client benefits
The decision turned on the adviser’s acceptance of personal benefits from a client, the lack of proper compliance disclosure, and the higher standard expected of a KI.
Sanlam partnership helps Ninety One grow to record AUM
The completed transaction added scale, while a recovery in client demand pushed the asset manager back into net positive flows after last year’s outflows.
