SA's business liquidations rise: Finance, real estate and trade hardest hit

THE latest report from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reveals a concerning trend: in September 2025, 145 businesses were liquidated, pushing the cumulative year-to-date total to 1180 closures.

- IOL REPORTER

SOUTH Africa's corporate landscape is facing a daunting reality as the latest report from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reveals a concerning trend: in September 2025, 145 businesses were liquidated, pushing the cumulative year-to-date total to 1180 closures.

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This marks an alarming 23.9% spike compared to the same month last year, with a 13% increase in liquidations during the July-September quarter. The statistics paint a stark picture of a nation grappling with an increasingly hostile economic environment.

The sectors hardest hit by this precipitous decline include finance, insurance, real estate, and business services, with trade, catering, and accommodation following closely behind.

Perhaps most strikingly, even major players are not immune; the high-profile liquidation of Murray & Roberts Holdings serves as a sobering reminder that the pressures facing South Africa's economy extend to industry giants.

The surge in liquidations can be attributed to a toxic combination of high interest rates, weak consumer demand, and rising operational costs. Logistical bottlenecks and increasing transportation costs further squeeze profit margins.

Compounding the crisis, global trade tensions and regulatory burdens continue to burden local enterprises.