Author: Gugu Lourie

In a landmark outcome for medical scheme accountability, advocacy firm MediCheck has secured a full reversal of Discovery Health Medical Scheme’s attempt to recover an estimated R130-170 million from 16,500 members for an administration error they did not cause. The decision, announced by Discovery late Sunday, follows a week of intense pressure and formal dispute action led by MediCheck on behalf of over 1,500 affected members. Members had faced sudden recovery demands—some exceeding R80,000—for what Discovery later acknowledged was its own claims processing failure. MediCheck, an independent firm that holds medical schemes to regulatory standards, intervened immediately upon the scheme’s…

The National Consumer Commission has issued a recall for 372 Volvo EX30 vehicles in South Africa due to a potential battery fault. The recall affects certain 2024-2026 EX30 models sold in Gauteng from December 29, 2025. According to Volvo, the high-voltage battery in these cars may, in rare cases, overheat when charged above a certain level, posing a potential fire risk. As an immediate precaution, owners of the affected vehicles should limit their maximum charge level to 70% until repaired. Volvo urges owners to contact their nearest authorised dealership to arrange a free inspection and repair. All corrective work for…

Listen up, Mzansi motorists. Every month, we watch with trepidation as the fuel price climbs higher. Now and again, the price comes down by a tiny bit. All the while, we feel the cost of fuel in our shrinking pockets. However, there is relief from the dread of filling up the tank: It’s Volvo’s new EX60 electric car. Simply park and charge it, and it’s good to go without depleting your pockets. The good news for motorists, who feel the pain of fuel hikes, is that Volvo Car South Africa is launching the new EX60 in  fortnight on 21 January.…

An AI-powered property solution is bridging the wealth gap for millions. E-DEED grants financial identity to the “unbanked” by valuing informal homes. A dormant asset class worth between R2 and R3 trillion has been sitting in South Africa’s townships and rural areas, largely invisible to the formal economy. Without title deeds, pay slips, or formal jobs, an estimated 90% of South Africans have cash-built homes, a massive store of wealth that remains locked away, stifling national GDP growth. Now, a high-tech solution has arrived on dusty streets. Entrepreneurs Lance Chalwin-Milton, GG Alcock, and Senzo Tsabedze have launched E-DEED, a property…

A first-of-its-kind partnership is launching to build a complete, township-owned supply chain. SPAZA Supply+, an initiative by KasiKonnect, has teamed up with Soweto-based green logistics startup ShoveBike for a pioneering pilot programme. “Local product distribution and logistics is the critical link for a wholly owned kasi supply chain,” says Janice Scheckter, CEO of KasiKonnect. “We have partnered with ShoveBike because, alongside their efficient green logistics, they bring deep local knowledge and established relationships with Soweto-based supermarkets and traders. They understand the terrain, the retailers, and the community in a way that outside logistics providers simply cannot. This partnership keeps value…

IFA Hotels & Resorts unveils a R50 billion vision to transform KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast. Discover the marina and country estate set to redefine sustainable luxury living. In a bold move set to reshape South Africa’s coastline, IFA Hotels & Resorts (IFAHR) has unveiled its Zimbali Vision 2030. This transformative master plan is a long-term commitment to sustainable coastal living, introducing two pioneering projects: a world-class Marina Development and the expansive Zimbali Country Estate. Together, they expand the Zimbali footprint into a R50 billion, self-sustaining ecosystem integrating luxury living, tourism, and nature on an unprecedented scale. With a proven 20-year legacy and over R30 billion…

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is today conducting a coordinated search and seizure operation across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng as part of its ongoing investigation into a sophisticated syndicate that allegedly siphoned approximately R161 million from the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s (UIF) Covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS). The operation is supported by specialised units of the South African Police Service (SAPS), including the National Intervention Unit (NIU), the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, and the Tactical Response Team (TRT). The operation, authorised by a warrant issued by the Special Tribunal, targets multiple premises, including offices,…

South African fintech startup Tappy is launching a digital payments revolution from the ground up, targeting the millions of service workers left behind by the cashless shift. With 50,000 devices already distributed, its low-cost wearable platform enables instant tips and payments without the need for cards, apps, or even a bank account, beginning its national rollout in December 2025. The system directly addresses a growing economic rift, where consumers increasingly carry no cash, while workers like petrol attendants, car guards, and waiters remain dependent on physical notes and coins. Tappy’s solution is a simple NFC-enabled wearable linked to a digital…

A new mobile solution aims to bridge the digital divide for deskless employees. It promises enhanced productivity, security, and centralized management for enterprises. Vodacom Business has launched an enhanced Corporate Connect offering, a mobile solution engineered to provide South Africa’s frontline workers with secure, scalable, and reliable connectivity. This move directly targets the digital inclusion of millions of deskless employees who form the backbone of the country’s key industries. “At Vodacom, we believe that digital inclusion should extend to every employee, not just those behind a desk,” said Mncedisi Mayekiso, Managing Executive: Direct Sales Private and Public Sector at Vodacom Business. “Our Corporate…

In a significant enforcement action, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has imposed a R12.6 million administrative penalty and a 15-year industry debarment on a company and its director for running an unlicensed insurance operation and obstructing a regulatory investigation. The penalty has been levied jointly and severally against The Relocations Group (Pty) Ltd and its director, Mr Kyle Bary Tiltman. Tiltman has also been debarred for 15 years, effectively banning him from any role in the financial sector. The investigation was triggered by client complaints and uncovered that South African Relocations (Pty) Ltd and its successor, The Relocations Group, “offered marine insurance…