
Tribunal clarifies test for qualification exemptions
The ruling explains why exemption applications require objective statutory grounds rather than pleas for indulgence.

The ruling explains why exemption applications require objective statutory grounds rather than pleas for indulgence.

The decision highlights the distinction between punishing misconduct and compensating consumers who claim to have suffered losses.

The FSP could not prove key elements of the process, including proper notice of the proceedings, and the conduct of the hearing.

The FST dismisses former EOH director Anushka Bogdanov’s application for reconsideration of sanctions imposed over misrepresented qualifications.

The decision turned on the adviser’s acceptance of personal benefits from a client, the lack of proper compliance disclosure, and the higher standard expected of a KI.

The deputy adjudicator finds the ‘freeze’ clause the fund relied on is tied to its DB rules and can’t be used to block a DC member’s savings withdrawal.

The Adjudicator conflated jurisdiction with enforcement and overlooked the potential personal-liability provisions in the PFA.

The Tribunal says membership could end only in accordance with the fund’s rules, and WhatsApp exchanges did not amount to a valid withdrawal.

The FST rejects the member’s loss calculation based on assumed money market returns, affirming that the fund’s rules limit accrual to bank interest.

The dismissal of a reconsideration application by CMM investors underscores that only direct legal rights – not indirect financial interests – confer standing under the FSRA.

Reconsidering the matter after a High Court remittal, the Tribunal finds the referral activity failed the fit and proper test.

A failure to verify a client’s income amounted at most to negligence, but the evidence did not justify debarment for dishonesty.

Sanlam found that the client’s signatures were forged, but its own handwriting expert came to a different conclusion.

The Tribunal upholds the debarment of an F&I consultant who altered delivery and witness details on vehicle finance documents.

The FSP was entitled, on the information before it, to conclude that the rep no longer satisfied the fit and proper requirements.

Transferring client data to a personal, unauthorised account is sufficient to undermine the trust and integrity required of a representative.

The system introduced limited access to savings components, but it did not change the longstanding withdrawal restrictions applicable to RAs.