Asset forfeiture and unlawful money schemes
Fraud victims have two distinct remedies: criminal-law-driven asset forfeiture via the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and civil liquidation proceedings under the Companies Act.
Liquidation
Ithala warns court ruling could shut bank before liquidation appeal
The repayment administrator and the Prudential Authority appealed a High Court ruling that allowed Ithala to continue operating while liquidation proceedings are pending.
Ithala resumes operations – but still can’t take deposits
Ithala has been cleared to resume core operations – excluding deposit-taking – while legal battles over its liquidation and frozen R2.47bn in deposits continue.
R2bn Ithala guarantee sparks row over fiscal risk to KZN
The Minister of Finance’s bailout plan for Ithala’s retail depositors has drawn sharp criticism from KZN’s Finance MEC Francois Rodgers, who warns the deal’s fine print could leave the province footing a hefty bill.
Ithala’s fate hangs in the balance amid legal battles and funding disputes
Ithala depositors remain locked out of their funds while disputes over frozen accounts, strategic alliances, and government guarantees deepen.
Legal battle over Ithala’s future heats up as liquidation looms
The PA and the repayment administrator accuse Ithala of operating unlawfully – comparing its actions to a Ponzi scheme. Ithala argues the freezing of depositors’ accounts is a calculated manoeuvre designed to collapse its operations.
KZN Treasury’s R2.4bn loan request raises more questions than answers
As the KwaZulu-Natal government scrambles to keep Ithala afloat, its urgent request for a R2.4 billion loan from National Treasury sparks confusion – especially given an earlier government guarantee.
VBS depositors with more than R100 000 receive only a quarter back
Several municipalities have lost about 75% of their money.
Still scheming? Cobus Geldenhuis caught in new fraud allegations despite debarment
Despite a 20-year debarment, a R143m fine, and even losing a leg in a motorcycle accident, Cobus Geldenhuis is allegedly still defrauding investors under a new alias.
PA report contradicts Ithala and KZN Treasury’s solvency claims
A PA-commissioned solvency report questions Ithala’s financial health, raising concerns about its equity, loan book, and potential shortfall in repaying depositors.
Treasury asks First National Bank to assist Ithala’s SASSA customers
Treasury and SASSA respond to an allegation that Ithala’s client database was ‘unlawfully’ transferred to FNB.
Scammers target Banxso investors with fake fund recovery schemes
Scammers are preying on Banxso investors, promising to recover lost funds for a fee, the FSCA warns.
FSCA refutes claim of Banxso licence reinstatement amid ongoing investigation
The liquidation application against Banxso claims that the number of clients deceived by the deepfake adverts is far greater than previously reported.
MTI liquidation: a global effort to recover crypto funds from a Ponzi scheme
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.
BHI Trust fallout: beneficiaries reluctant to return millions amid sequestration scrutiny
Investors’ money was allegedly funnelled through offshore trust accounts and ‘cleaned’ via extensive gambling activities by ‘close and related-party enablers’.
Grim outlook for Classic’s creditors – shortfall exceeds R70 million
The second creditors’ meeting will be held on 3 September.
BHI Trust ‘was run as illegal scheme from inception’
As creditors await repayment totalling nearly R2bn, preliminary investigations by the joint trustees point to potential asset recoveries totalling just over R414 million.
