About DebtReviewZA

DebtReviewZA is an independent South African information service that helps over-indebted people make better decisions about debt review, debt counselling and getting out of debt. We are not a debt counsellor, a credit provider or a law firm, and we do not place anyone under debt review or earn commission from one.

Debt review is sold hard and explained badly. The same legal process can carry very different fees, and the fine print on how long it lasts, what it does to your credit record and how to get out of it is where people get caught out. We translate that fine print into plain language, and we give away the practical letters and tools people actually need.

What we cover

DebtReviewZA is built around three things. The first is debt review: we profile the major South African debt counselling companies - DebtBusters, Debt Rescue, National Debt Advisors, Meerkat, DebtSafe and more - and explain how they work, what they charge, and how to choose. The second is the debt counselling process: how to apply, the court order, how debt review affects your credit record, debt review removal and the clearance certificate, and your rights under the National Credit Act. The third is free templates and tools: creditor letters, a debt review removal request, an acknowledgement of debt and a monthly budget template.

How we keep it accurate

Company and process details are drawn from the National Credit Act, the National Credit Regulator (NCR) and debt counsellors' own public materials. Fees and rules change, so every guide carries a "last updated" date and we ask you to confirm the current fees and your rights directly with a registered debt counsellor before you commit. Where we describe typical fees or timelines, we say so - they are guidance, not a quote.

We deliberately flag the things that catch people out: fees added to your monthly payment, debt review that drags on, the note on your credit record while you are under review, and companies that are not registered with the NCR. We would rather a page tell you what to watch out for than push you toward signing up.

Our editorial standards

We write in plain language, we do not use scare tactics, we do not present indicative figures as firm quotes, and we link to primary sources - the NCR and the National Financial Ombud - so you can verify what you read and act on your rights. Every debt review and debt counselling page repeats a short reminder to confirm details with a registered counsellor. Pages are reviewed and refreshed as the law and fees change, and the date on each page reflects its most recent review.

How we fund this

DebtReviewZA is free for readers. We may show advertising to cover our costs. Advertising never changes our editorial guidance or the order in which we list companies.

Who writes DebtReviewZA

Lerato Molefe

Editor, DebtReviewZA

Lerato Molefe leads editorial at DebtReviewZA. She researches debt review, debt counselling and consumer credit from the National Credit Act, the National Credit Regulator (NCR) and debt counsellors own public materials, and writes in plain language for South Africans working to get out of debt.

We link to primary sources where we can - the National Credit Regulator for registered debt counsellors and the National Financial Ombud (which now handles credit complaints, formerly the Credit Ombud) for complaints and your rights - so you can verify what you read.