Treasury swaps sanctions for stricter municipal oversight
The release of R7.1 billion buys time, but December’s equitable share assessment will determine whether non-compliant municipalities face another funding freeze.
#NationalTreasury
Municipalities are owed R218bn. So why are they running out of money?
The FFC says a system-wide breakdown in collecting and paying bills is fuelling arrears that more than a decade of government interventions has failed to contain.
Treasury faces seven-day deadline over withheld municipal funds
Lawmakers want legal questions over withheld equitable-share allocations resolved as Treasury begins releasing billions of rand to compliant municipalities.
Treasury’s crackdown spreads beyond municipalities
Municipalities that fix their governance failures could regain funding within weeks, while provinces and national departments are now facing the same scrutiny.
Parliament calls for comment on AML/CFT reform Bill
Stakeholders have until 10 August to comment on proposed amendments aimed at strengthening South Africa’s financial crime framework.
Treasury intervention lays bare concentrated municipal debt
Just 10 of the 69 affected municipalities account for more than R21.6bn in arrears to utilities, retirement funds, SARS and other creditors.
Retirement fund arrears rise to R8.33bn despite R1bn in recoveries
Late-payment interest now accounts for almost half of arrears, suggesting unpaid contributions are remaining outstanding for longer.
COFI at the heart of FSCA’s 2026 regulation plan
The Authority’s three-year roadmap also outlines upcoming reforms affecting financial markets, retirement funds, payment services, and cross-sector regulation.
Ithala enters next phase as repayment administrator’s role comes under review
As the National Treasury-backed repayment programme for Ithala depositors nears completion, KZN Treasury says the Prudential Authority will review the repayment administrator’s role.
Connected data is strengthening the fight against tax evasion
Advanced data matching is helping SARS to identify businesses and individuals whose tax affairs do not align with their activities.
Treasury to decide on basic income policy by July, MPs told
The Social Relief of Distress grant might be extended while a new policy is finalised.
Treasury proposes higher levies for 2026/27
Most FSCA levies will rise by 3.2%, but retirement funds face a 15% increase in the OPFA levy, and charges are introduced for some entities.
Latest FATF review puts South Africa under a harsher spotlight
Treasury says the country already has most of the rules it needs; the challenge now is proving that institutions are using them effectively.
MPs query whether tougher AML laws are solving the problem
Treasury adviser Ismail Momoniat warns that police corruption and unfinished financial-crime cases could weigh on SA’s FATF assessment.
Judgment adds to uncertainty over crypto’s exchange control status
The High Court backs the SARB’s position that moving Bitcoin to foreign exchanges can amount to an unlawful export of capital.
National Treasury defends draft capital flow regulations
Treasury and the SARB say the proposals are not intended to criminalise crypto possession and have extended the deadline to comment.
Budget’s retirement threshold changes in effect despite legislative omission
IRFA also sets out how exit withdrawals now work when a member resigns and has already withdrawn from the savings component in the tax year.
