Labour Court upholds Santam dismissal in Covid policy dispute
The Court said financial inability to pay for PCR tests did not excuse continued absence or failure to follow return-to-work instructions.
Industry News
High Court finds PIC board exceeded its powers
Chief executive Patrick Dlamini’s suspension was unlawful because the prescribed governance process was not followed.
Why investors are watching South Africa’s municipal elections
BLSA’s Busisiwe Mavuso says functioning municipalities are becoming as important to economic growth and investor confidence as energy and logistics reforms.
Bonitas defends administrator switch after record financial results
Executives acknowledged the disruption caused by the June administrator switch while insisting the scheme’s long-term strategy remains on track.
Sanlam adviser loses urgent application despite court’s finding on disputed ‘bobbejaan’ phrase
The High Court accepted the adviser’s explanation of an Afrikaans expression for interim purposes, but held that unresolved earlier allegations could still justify terminating his contract.
Planning for survival: How medical advances are reshaping insurance claims
Old Mutual says advisers should focus more on the financial impact of surviving illness, as recovery increasingly brings prolonged income and healthcare pressures.
Crypto transactions and undeclared holdings face growing scrutiny
Experts say taxpayers with undeclared crypto income should consider voluntary disclosure before enhanced reporting increases the likelihood of a SARS audit.
Adviser usage falls, according to latest Old Mutual Monitor
Fewer respondents are using advisers as AI tools gain traction, and many remain unsure where to turn for financial guidance.
Unclaimed retirement benefits – a problem that won’t go away
Better member data, stronger engagement, and AI-assisted tracing may improve future outcomes, but billions of rands in legacy retirement savings are likely to remain unclaimed.
No checklist for proving a permanent life partnership, says Adjudicator
Continuous cohabitation and joint bank accounts are relevant but not decisive when trustees assess whether a claimant was a permanent life partner.
A new board, but old questions at the PIC
Fresh appointments may restore oversight, but they do not resolve the disputes and investigations that continue to beset the Corporation.
When it’s your money, who should decide?
As employers hand more responsibility for retirement and healthcare benefits to staff, the industry is rethinking how to balance freedom with better financial decisions.
Treasury swaps sanctions for stricter municipal oversight
The release of R7.1 billion buys time, but December’s equitable share assessment will determine whether non-compliant municipalities face another funding freeze.
How deglobalisation is changing the rules for investors
Fairtree Capital’s Chantelle Baptiste argues that investors who focus only on today’s headlines risk missing the bigger forces shaping tomorrow’s opportunities.
Defined-benefit pension conversion dispute turns on fund’s rules
The fund’s calculation was found reasonable by an independent actuary, but the OPFA held that the rules did not authorise the conversion method.
ESG risks move from sustainability agenda to investment-risk lens
Alexforbes’ Stewardship Report argues that governance, water security, and other ESG factors are increasingly being evaluated for their effect on company value and long-term returns.
Financial firms urged to rethink graduate training as AI automates junior work
The expansion includes two amalgamated global equity feeder funds and a new rand-denominated feeder into a Troy-managed global flexible strategy.
