
Former TETA CEO sentenced to 7 years for role in Fidentia scandal
Court finds that Pieter Bothma accepted bribes to facilitate unauthorised investments, laundering millions for Fidentia’s directors.
The Authority says the penalties reflect the financial benefit gained from unlawful conduct and the harm to clients – handing 30-year debarments to several Banxso executives.

Court finds that Pieter Bothma accepted bribes to facilitate unauthorised investments, laundering millions for Fidentia’s directors.

Launched in 2019, the inquiry sought to investigate allegations of racial profiling by medical schemes. As 2024 draws to a close, the CMS is still battling objections and technical reviews to finalise the report.

Contribution increases in 2025 are exceeding CPI, with some medical schemes aiming to rebuild reserves and ensure long-term sustainability.

The stronger rand has shifted the focus back to domestic equities and property. Managers leaning into local value and shedding expensive offshore assets are reaping the rewards of this pivot.

A newly published guide by the Department of Employment and Labour provides vital information on occupational health and safety.

Medical schemes cannot cancel membership based solely on the non-disclosure of a diagnostic procedure that does not lead to the diagnosis of a serious medical condition.

In September, Sanlam received more than 83 000 withdrawal claims, with most coming from members aged 35 to 44, many of whom had a replacement ratio below 50%.

SARS has processed more than 1.2 million tax directives for savings component withdrawals, paying out R21.4 billion to fund members.

Expert legal interpretations, even if contrary to SARS’s stance, may not automatically result in understatement penalties.

SMMEs serving critical infrastructure and global corporations, as well as those in regulated industries such as insurance, healthcare, banking, and credit monitoring, are particularly vulnerable.

The rep claimed he never meant to harm the FSP, but the FST found his actions violated the FAIS Act and demonstrated a lack of integrity.

Leveraging the Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency, the liquidators co-ordinated with courts in the US, UK, and Australia, setting a precedent for future international crypto claims.

The FST orders the FSCA to reconsider key decisions regarding the Municipal Employees Pension Fund, saying the regulator overstepped its authority.

The Authority has issued a request for up-to-date information on trustees so it can check whether they are compliant.

Key achievements include the creation of the National Financial Ombud Scheme and the new FAIS Ombud Rules.

Muvhango Lukhaimane will also consult with trustees on guidelines for naming and shaming problematic funds, administrators, and employers.

Bestmed says that rand for rand its benefit options will remain competitive despite the proposed average increase of 12.75%.