South Africa's Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has debarred Songeziwe Mbalo for 20 years and imposed administrative penalties of ZAR 9 million on Mbalo and Bhaca Green (Pty) Ltd, jointly and severally, with an additional ZAR 50,000 penalty on Lungile Mgilane. Following an investigation, the FSCA found that Mgilane rendered financial services to clients on behalf of Bhaca Green and Mbalo while neither Mbalo nor Bhaca Green was authorised as a financial services provider, contravening section 13(1)(a) of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002. It also found that between January 2019 and December 2020 Mbalo and Bhaca Green collected investor funds purportedly to trade foreign exchange, but most funds were used to pay purported returns to other investors and cover Mbalo’s personal expenses, with only a small fraction used for trading. The FSCA concluded that Mbalo and Bhaca Green acted as unauthorised Category II financial services providers when offering and or rendering advice and intermediary services in respect of forex products, contravening section 7(1) of the FAIS Act. The FSCA will report the matter to the South African Police Service and share the evidence obtained during its investigation, and will provide active assistance if requested.
South Africa Financial Sector Conduct Authority 2025-12-09
South Africa's Financial Sector Conduct Authority debars Songeziwe Mbalo for 20 years and fines Bhaca Green R9 million for unauthorised forex services
The South Africa Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has debarred Songeziwe Mbalo for 20 years and imposed penalties totaling ZAR 9 million on Mbalo and Bhaca Green (Pty) Ltd, with an additional ZAR 50,000 penalty on Lungile Mgilane. The FSCA found that Mbalo and Bhaca Green operated as unauthorised financial services providers, misusing investor funds for forex trading. The FSCA will report the case to the South African Police Service and offer assistance as needed.