
Ithala resumes operations – but still can’t take deposits
Ithala has been cleared to resume core operations – excluding deposit-taking – while legal battles over its liquidation and frozen R2.47bn in deposits continue.
Ithala has been cleared to resume core operations – excluding deposit-taking – while legal battles over its liquidation and frozen R2.47bn in deposits continue.
The Minister of Finance’s bailout plan for Ithala’s retail depositors has drawn sharp criticism from KZN’s Finance MEC Francois Rodgers, who warns the deal’s fine print could leave the province footing a hefty bill.
Ithala depositors remain locked out of their funds while disputes over frozen accounts, strategic alliances, and government guarantees deepen.
The minister’s address to the FSCA conference also touched on regulation, South Africa’s G20 presidency, political tensions over the Budget, and economic growth.
The PA and the repayment administrator accuse Ithala of operating unlawfully – comparing its actions to a Ponzi scheme. Ithala argues the freezing of depositors’ accounts is a calculated manoeuvre designed to collapse its operations.
As the KwaZulu-Natal government scrambles to keep Ithala afloat, its urgent request for a R2.4 billion loan from National Treasury sparks confusion – especially given an earlier government guarantee.
A PA-commissioned solvency report questions Ithala’s financial health, raising concerns about its equity, loan book, and potential shortfall in repaying depositors.
Meanwhile, MPs have questioned the SARB’s push to liquidate Ithala, arguing it conflicts with Parliament’s resolution to support the bank’s growth.
Treasury and SASSA respond to an allegation that Ithala’s client database was ‘unlawfully’ transferred to FNB.
Ithala accuses the appointed repayment administrator of overstepping his authority, while the Prudential Authority moves to liquidate the entity.
The Prudential Authority’s push for Ithala’s provisional liquidation has brought the bank’s journey to an abrupt halt, leaving 257 000 depositors in limbo.
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