In April, the Information Regulator published amendments to the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) Regulations, significantly enhancing privacy protections for South Africans. These changes simplify the processes for objecting to data processing, requesting corrections or deletions, and obtaining consent for direct marketing. They also introduce new responsibilities for information officers and allow for administrative fines to be paid in installments.
In June 2023, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) proposed amendments to the JSE Listings Requirements including a new section which contains the listing requirements of the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Segment of the JSE. Among other things, these requirements include that trading in BEE securities must be restricted to a BEE-compliant person pursuant to the use of either a BEE contract or a BEE verification agent. The JSE has invited comments on the proposed amendments by 17 July 2023.