
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.

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.

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

New criteria require closer supervisory scrutiny of DNFBPs on market entry, ongoing oversight, and high-quality suspicious-transaction reporting.

What the Authority expects from financial services providers when it conducts Financial Intelligence Centre Act inspections.

An inspection identified inadequate implementation of the RMCP and deficient customer due diligence processes.

Financial institutions that proactively embed governance, technology, and culture to meet evolving regulatory standards will not only avoid penalties but also strengthen credibility, build resilience, and drive long term value.