The South Africa Financial Sector Conduct Authority has concluded its investigation into Ms Chantelle Kleynhans and Mr Pieter Willem van der Walt, imposing administrative penalties totalling ZAR 2.1 million and debarring both individuals for 20 years for rendering financial services without the required authorisation. The conduct involved soliciting deposits from members of the public with the promise of trading in foreign exchange on their behalf. Kleynhans was fined ZAR 1,550,000 and Van der Walt ZAR 550,000, with the FSCA finding they contravened section 7(1) of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002 by providing financial services without authorisation. The FSCA will refer its investigation report to the South African Police Service for further investigation and has advised the public to verify FSCA authorisation status, including matching the financial services provider number to the name on the official database, and to exercise caution with unsolicited or social media investment offers.