FINANCIAL SECTOR OMBUD SYSTEM REFORM: TREASURY ISSUES POLICY STATEMENT

National Treasury has issued a policy statement on financial sector ombud system reform. As part of a broader move towards ‘a stronger market conduct framework for South Africa’, the process of developing this new policy approach was informed by a World Bank diagnostic study conducted in 2021. This is according to an accompanying press release, which also notes stakeholder input received during that process.

The following structure is envisaged:

  • ‘a new, consolidated ombud scheme … independent of industry and government (and) replacing six of the current seven schemes’
  • a separate retirement/pension funds ombud/adjudicator, and
  • ‘a modified ombud council’.

This is expected to improve:

  • ‘consistency across the ombud system’
  • ‘visibility and accessibility’
  • the ‘eligibility of complainants'
  • ‘processes, powers and (the) enforceability of decisions’, and
  • ‘coverage’ (‘significantly’ reducing jurisdictional gaps and overlaps).

Legislative amendments will be necessary.

Published by SA Legal Academy Policy Watch

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