South Africans with multiple living annuities could face tighter rules under proposed tax changes contained in the 2026 Draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill. The change would affect how retirees qualify to cash out small remaining annuity balances.

Currently, retirees with several living annuities may be able to apply the de minimis threshold to each annuity separately, allowing smaller balances to be withdrawn as lump sums. Under the proposed rule, all living annuities held with the same insurer or fund would instead be combined when determining whether the threshold has been exceeded.

For example, someone with five annuities worth R100,000 each with the same provider would be assessed on the combined R500,000, rather than each R100,000 annuity individually. The proposal is not yet law, but experts are encouraging retirees with multiple living annuities to review their arrangements and consider how the change could affect future withdrawals.

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The nearly three-month search for 60-year-old Rika Norris has ended in tragedy after her body was found in a steep kloof near Porcupine Ridge in the Helderberg Nature Reserve on Saturday, 15 August.

Norris disappeared on 23 May after going for a walk with her dog at Lourensford Farm. An extensive search followed, and while her dog returned home eight days later, there was still no sign of her. Her body was eventually located by a search team in a difficult-to-access area, with initial indications suggesting that she may have fallen.

Police recovered her body later that afternoon, and a post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death. The discovery brings a tragic end to a search that had drawn significant concern and support from the Somerset West community.

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The Strand-dienssentrum, affiliated with the ACVV, is helping Helderberg residents aged 60 and older remain independent, socially connected and active as they navigate the challenges that can come with ageing.

The centre provides affordable balanced meals, an on-site hair salon and a wide range of social activities, including line dancing, Canasta, arts and crafts, knitting, crochet and walking groups. These services are particularly valuable for seniors facing limited transport, health challenges, rising living costs or social isolation.

One of the centre's biggest needs is currently a reliable minibus, which would help transport seniors, deliver meals to homebound members and collect donations. Anyone 60 or older can apply to become a member, while residents, volunteers and local businesses are also encouraged to support the centre's work.

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South Africans are being warned about a rise in attacks targeting mobile banking accounts, as criminals increasingly use phishing, malicious apps and malware to steal login details and take control of financial accounts. More than 21 million South Africans now use banking apps, making smartphones an attractive target.

Rather than hacking banking apps directly, criminals often trick users into clicking fake banking links or downloading infected apps. Malware known as infostealers and banking trojans can secretly collect passwords, card details, browser cookies and other sensitive information. Mobile banking attacks globally increased by 50% during 2025, while banking-related scams accounted for more than half of phishing detections in Africa.

Experts recommend keeping phones and apps fully updated, only downloading apps from trusted stores and avoiding links claiming to come from banks. If you receive a suspicious banking message, rather open your official banking app directly instead of following the supplied link.

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