Finance News Update | 15 July 2026

General Headlines Important information for anyone who was auto-assessed by SARS in South Africa South Africans who got an automatic tax assessment from SARS this month can fix it if something is wrong or missing. From 13 July, anyone auto-assessed can submit changes. A common mistake is forgetting to include retirement annuity (RA) contributions, which can reduce taxable income. SARS has already auto-assessed 1.9 million people and paid R8 billion in refunds quickly, thanks to better systems and data from employers, medical aids, and retirement funds. But faster refunds don’t mean everything is correct - the system only uses the data it receives. RA contributions are often left out, especially if they were made in a different tax year or outside payroll. Under the law, RA contributions are deductible up to 27.5% of income, with a yearly cap. From March 2026, the cap increased from R350,000 to R430,000. If contributions go over the limit, the extra is carried forward to the next year and should show on the ITA34 assessment notice.(BusinessTech) Markets and Investments Nedbank CIB underwrites mining credit facility for the Geita gold mine Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) has arranged a $500 million loan for AngloGold Ashanti’s Geita gold mine in Tanzania. This is one of the biggest mining loans Nedbank has ever handled. The loan gives AngloGold Ashanti secure funding for its ongoing development projects at Geita, which is Tanzania’s largest gold mine and an important part of the local economy. After providing the loan, Nedbank started a syndication process - meaning other banks, including Tanzanian ones, can join in funding the local-currency portion. This supports local participation and meets local content rules. The deal combines structuring, underwriting, and distribution into one package, ensuring AngloGold Ashanti has both certainty and flexibility in financing its mine.(EngineeringNews)

New ‘tax’ for petrol and diesel is coming Oil prices are rising again because the US is reinstating its blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, and President Trump wants a 20% toll on ships passing through. Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group, says this is like a global tax on fuel that could become permanent. Both the US and Iran are fighting to control the strait and collect tolls, but whoever wins, the cost will fall on everyone else. About 20% of the world’s oil and gas passes through Hormuz, so a 20% fee would make energy much more expensive worldwide. Iran claims it controls the strait and should be paid for safe passage, while Trump demands reimbursement. The UN says neither side has legal grounds to charge fees, but Green warns that legality doesn’t matter -the fight is about who runs the toll booth. Industry estimates show a 20% fee could add about $16 per barrel of oil, or up to $32 million for one supertanker.(BusinessTech)

Property and Real Estates  Vukile launches new Italian retail platform, Esperia Properties Vukile Property Fund has launched Esperia Properties, its new retail real estate platform in Italy, after buying three shopping centres worth €115 million: Le Due Valli, Le Centurie, and Quarto Nuovo. CEO Laurence Rapp says the strategy is the same as in Spain and Portugal - enter with confidence, actively manage assets, grow scale, and stay focused on retail.Vukile started expanding into Europe in 2017 through Castellana Properties, now holding a €2.2 billion portfolio across Spain and Portugal, including malls in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. Recent deals include Berceo (Logroño), Islazul (Madrid), and a 50% stake in Splau (Barcelona).Before entering Italy, Vukile bought 35% of Pradera Limited, a pan-European retail asset manager, which will manage Esperia’s first centres. The company is also close to finalising two more Italian acquisitions worth €200 million. (Propertywheel)