Gambling surge strains retirement savings and prompts tax response
Old Mutual findings and industry commentary show gambling is reshaping spending, eroding savings, and drawing policy attention, with implications for employers and advisers.
Industry News
E-commerce risks outpace consumer protection laws, Ombud warns
A joint NCC and CGSO paper highlights rising e-commerce complaints and regulatory gaps, with proposed reforms set to reshape platform accountability and consumer protection.
VAT decision highlights constitutional defects across tax Acts
Tax experts say the constitutional problem identified by the High Court could affect several other laws that give the finance minister similar powers.
Sanlam’s business engines: a look at the group’s 2025 performance
A breakdown of the results shows how the group’s main business clusters performed as it continues repositioning for growth across South Africa, Africa, and India.
Sanlam share dips after results despite strong operating growth
Sanlam reported record new business volumes and strong client inflows in 2025, but several weaker headline indicators drew investor attention following the results release.
Steinhoff fraud cases: fourth conviction secured in South Africa
Former audit executive Hein Odendaal must pay a R2m fine or spend four years in prison following a plea agreement with prosecutors.
Why Sanlam’s headline earnings fell despite strong business growth
Currency movements, bond market distortions, reinsurance losses, and strategic investment spending combined to weigh on Sanlam’s reported results.
SaaS apocalypse: Why I shy away from US business development companies
Large SaaS exposures have helped trigger a pullback in BDC prices and dividends. Ryk de Klerk explains why current yields and NAV discounts may mask a deeper downside.
Geopolitical conflict raises questions about war exclusions in insurance policies
Businesses and travellers should review how war exclusions, sanctions clauses, and territorial limits may affect cover, says PSG.
Rising oil prices complicate South Africa’s inflation outlook
After attacks disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, crude prices spiked sharply – raising the prospect of higher fuel costs and renewed inflation pressure locally.
JSE delistings: ASISA-commissioned study challenges popular narratives
Research finds that mergers and restructuring drive nearly half of JSE delistings and highlights that the determinant of listing activity is economic growth.
Investors pull R16.5bn from local equity funds despite 42% ALSI rally
Multi-asset and interest-bearing portfolios dominated inflows in 2025 as South African investors continued to favour diversification.
Retail hedge funds overtake qualified investor funds as industry hits R216bn
Retail investors are increasingly shaping South Africa’s hedge fund industry, driving inflows and pushing retail portfolios into the lead for the first time.
PI policy: High Court rules against broker in Covid-related claim
The judge finds that a policy operating on a claims-made basis responded according to when the claim was made, not when the alleged negligence occurred.
Applying excess retirement contributions: implications for lump sums, annuities, and estates
Allan Gray’s Carla Rossouw clarifies excess contributions in relation to deduction limits, annuity income taxation, and the treatment of benefits at death.
Appeal court leaves FAIS debarment ruling intact
The Full Bench finds that the information available to the FSP was sufficient to justify initiating the statutory debarment process.
Judge upholds decision over electronically signed will
The High Court refuses leave to appeal a ruling directing the Master to accept an electronically signed document as the will of the late Justice Yvonne Mokgoro.
