Global medical cost growth is cooling. Why isn’t South Africa’s?
Global medical cost growth is easing, but South Africa’s rate remains high – putting medical schemes under pressure to balance rising healthcare costs with affordability in 2027.
Author: Moonstone Information Refinery
Treasury moves to lock fiscal strategy into law
The proposed framework would require future administrations to set out fiscal plans consistent with sustainable public finances and a declining debt burden.
Warning against an ‘install and forget’ approach to home solar
About 24% of Fire Ops SA’s structural-fire call-outs since January were linked to alternative-power equipment.
COFI turns regulatory information into a supervisory tool
COFI would require FSPs to have systems capable of producing reliable, regulator-ready information when the FSCA requires it.
Treasury calls July municipal intervention a success – but the bigger fix is still ahead
The funds were released despite incomplete compliance, with municipalities now subject to structured programmes and deadlines aimed at correcting financial and governance failures.
Dishonesty not required for debarment on integrity grounds
The Tribunal found that a serious breach of the duty to protect confidential client information can establish unfitness even where no misuse or harm is proved.
When one dishonest act is enough for debarment
The Tribunal weighed the representative’s clean record and lack of personal gain against her deliberate falsification of a client’s investment instruction.
Court draws line between BEE licensing and property regulation
The High Court invalidated the BEE certificate condition for Fidelity Fund certificates but rejected most of Sakeliga’s challenge to the definition of property practitioner.
Sanlam bets on banking to deepen customer ties
A new GoTyme-powered banking service is part of a broader strategy to build closer customer relationships, even as investment in future growth weighs on earnings.
FICA penalties for three financial institutions total R35.6m
The sanctions against Capitec, Ninety One Assurance, and Albaraka arose from inspections conducted between 2021 and 2023.
GPAA chief executive dismissed over procurement misconduct
Kedibone Madiehe was found guilty of breaching the PFMA, procurement rules, and her fiduciary duties following several forensic investigations.
Unpaid contributions: what ‘doing enough’ looks like for trustees
An IRFA panel says trustees need clear escalation processes and persistent oversight to turn section 13A compliance into meaningful recovery action.
Standards will usher in fuller reporting on fund finances, investments, and ESG
Retirement funds will face expanded annual and quarterly reporting, while boards remain responsible for setting ESG mandates and overseeing how asset managers implement them.
FSCA flags unauthorised operators and impostors
The latest batch of public warnings covers investment solicitations, unauthorised financial services, and alleged false claims of association with legitimate firms.
Are trustees looking at the real cost of retirement-fund fees?
Initial cost comparisons can obscure how fees linked to assets, salaries, or membership grow over time, potentially producing sharply different outcomes.
OPFA signals tougher action against non-compliance
The Pension Funds Adjudicator plans to use its powers more assertively against employers, funds, and responsible persons who ignore complaints or fail to co-operate.
Mental well-being linked to two-pot withdrawals
Discovery’s research points to a complex relationship between mental well-being, financial behaviour, and retirement savings withdrawals.
