
FIC warns of penalties after poor RCR compliance
Less than half of the first group of accountable institutions had submitted their returns by mid-July, while submissions from the second group are low.

Less than half of the first group of accountable institutions had submitted their returns by mid-July, while submissions from the second group are low.

Stakeholders have until 10 August to comment on proposed amendments aimed at strengthening South Africa’s financial crime framework.

The FIC says fewer than 12% of accountable institutions facing the first filing deadline had submitted their returns by the middle of this month.

PCC 60 largely preserves the draft framework but clarifies how newly registered firms must report and confirms that third parties may not submit returns.

A proclamation brings into operation a set of dormant provisions that link cross-border cash reporting to criminal penalties and forfeiture powers.

Treasury says the country already has most of the rules it needs; the challenge now is proving that institutions are using them effectively.

Treasury adviser Ismail Momoniat warns that police corruption and unfinished financial-crime cases could weigh on SA’s FATF assessment.

The specified accountable institutions have until 30 June or 31 July to complete and submit their RCRs.

The draft directive requires certain accountable institutions to submit RCR questionnaires covering information from 2023 to 2026.

Moonstone Compliance’s analysis identifies recurring shortcomings that FSPs should fix to avoid enforcement action.

The draft ARP Manual introduces licensing, capital, and AML/CFT obligations for informal remittance providers.

The legislation will strengthen reporting and governance obligations across the non-profit, corporate, and financial sectors.

The Bill largely clarifies and strengthens existing AML/CFT expectations rather than introducing a new regulatory philosophy.

The Bill proposes that arrangements yielding outcomes similar to traditional financial products be treated as financial services.

South Africa’s removal from the EU’s high-risk list eases regulatory friction, but economists caution that rebuilding investor confidence will be gradual.

Accountable institutions should adopt practical, risk-based RMCPs tailored to their operations, rather than relying on lengthy templates.

The authorities say that supervision, prosecutions, and measurable outcomes must continue to avoid re-listing as the next mutual evaluation starts in 2026.