What better healthcare could look like in South Africa
Discovery’s data shows how prevention, screening, and co-ordinated care can extend lives – while raising difficult questions about how to replicate those gains more widely.
Industry News
Data integrity emerges as the new tax risk frontier
Companies are under growing pressure to prove that the figures in returns, financial statements, and supporting documents all tell the same story.
Income protection dispute turns on 10% increase versus CPI cap
The Appeal Tribunal found that voluntary pre-claim benefit increases were distinct from post-claim escalation and could not be used to support a fixed 10% increase.
South Africans are using AI to shop, but stop short at checkout
Consumers are using AI to compare prices and find products, but most still want human control when it’s time to pay, Visa’s study finds.
Green shoots emerge, but can South Africa build on them?
Signs of recovery are emerging across the economy, yet questions remain about whether the momentum can survive global uncertainty.
Millions may get SARS refunds without submitting returns
Auto-assessments begin on 1 July. This is what taxpayers should do to avoid delays, protect themselves from scams, and ensure refunds are paid without a hitch.
The 11-year health gap: what adds – or costs – years of life
Discovery Health’s analysis of 2.7 million medical scheme members shows how earlier intervention, better treatment, and healthier lifestyles are reshaping life expectancy.
ASISA insurers pay out 94% of death claims in 2025
Beneficiaries received R44.2 billion last year, with most declines linked to non-disclosure, fraud, unpaid premiums or policy exclusions.
DUI exclusions drive increase in motor claim disputes
Motor, homeowners’, and commercial policies again generated the most complaints to the Non-life Division, with exclusions and claim rejections driving many disputes.
Banking complaints surge as fraudsters follow customers online
Complaints to the banking ombud jumped 25% in 2025, with phishing, account takeovers, and unauthorised transactions leading the way.
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.
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.
More early signs that the two-pot system is working
Data from Alexforbes and Sanlam suggests more members are preserving retirement savings, though it is too soon to know whether the shift will last.
