Tag: Webber Wentzel

White-collar crime in Africa is no longer a predominantly domestic concern. It has expanded onto an international stage, and so has the corporate exposure that comes with it. As capital crosses borders, data moves at the speed of light, and corporate structures become more complex, economic crime has kept pace. It has become more sophisticated, more multinational and increasingly difficult to investigate and prosecute within the confines of a single legal system.

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has published the third version of its proposed amendment to the payments regulatory framework. The amendments focus on two key instruments. These include a draft exemption notice that excludes certain payment activities from constituting “the business of a bank”, and a revised draft Authorisation Framework set out in a draft directive.

The regulation of commercial paper issuance in South Africa has, since 1994, been governed by an exemption notice. This exemption notice is known as the Commercial Paper Regulations. It permits certain entities to issue debt instruments. It also ensures they are not deemed to conduct “the business of a bank” under the Banks Act 94 of 1990 (Banks Act).

The Labour Appeal Court (LAC) has handed down a significant decision addressing a question that many employers and legal practitioners regularly confront. Can a disciplinary chairperson reject a lenient sanction emerging from a plea-bargaining process? The LAC answered this question in South African Police Services vs Mkonto and Others. The judgment also highlights the limits of leniency within disciplinary proceedings.

Africa is entering a defining period for virtual asset regulation. As adoption accelerates, driven by fintech innovation, remittance demand and a digitally savvy youth population, governments across the continent are recalibrating their regulatory posture.

Picture a rainy Wednesday morning in Sandton, sometime in the near future. A claims handler opens their laptop. Right away, things move much faster than before. For every new email, the company’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) system drafts a suggested reply. The inbox is also lighter. A public chatbot handles most client and broker queries because it has been trained on policy wordings and continues to improve. Need a meeting? An AI assistant schedules it, sets reminders, and even takes minutes.

The 2026 Budget Speech, delivered by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in February 2026, has generally been described as a “good news” budget. At a macro level, the strides toward fiscal consolidation are notable. Additionally, the increase in VAT for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) reflects a shift in revenue strategy. These developments support key socio-economic measures, including employment.

South African environmental law is undergoing a decisive shift. This shift affects how climate change considerations are integrated into environmental authorisation (EA) decision-making. Courts increasingly recognise climate change as a material factor within the “need and desirability” assessment under the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA).

Looking ahead to 2026, fintech will transform how financial services are delivered and accessed. Rapid technological innovation and shifting market dynamics drive this change. Key areas include machine learning, payments, crypto and blockchain, open finance, embedded finance and investment platforms.

South Africa's agribusiness sector offers substantial investment and entrepreneurial opportunities. Securing capital is often critical for agricultural projects. However, the fundraising process involves meeting sector-specific legal and regulatory requirements that distinguish it from other commercial financing.