Debt review companies
DebtBusters review
By Lerato Molefe · 7 min read · Updated 24 June 2026
- Type
- NCR-registered debt counsellor
- Service
- Full debt review (debt counselling) under the National Credit Act
- Free assessment
- Yes, a no-obligation affordability assessment
- Online portal / app
- Yes, an online account to track your plan
- How they are paid
- Regulated counselling and restructuring fees added to your monthly payment
- Contact
- Via their official website and NCR-registered details
DebtBusters is one of the largest NCR-registered debt counsellors in South Africa, offering free debt assessments, a single reduced monthly payment to creditors and an online portal, but, like every debt review provider, it flags your credit profile while the process runs, stops you taking new credit and adds counselling fees to your repayment. The trade-off is breathing room now versus restricted credit for the duration.
This review explains what DebtBusters actually does, how its sign-up works, the costs to expect and the honest downsides. We do not sell debt review and we are not affiliated with DebtBusters - the goal is to help you decide if debt counselling is right for you.
Whatever provider you pick, the legal process is identical because it is set out in the National Credit Act. The differences between companies are service, fees and how easy they make it to stay informed.
What DebtBusters does
DebtBusters is a debt counsellor, which means it manages the formal debt review process for you. It assesses your income, expenses and debts, works out a single affordable monthly payment, then negotiates reduced instalments and interest with your creditors. You pay one amount to a registered payment distribution agency, which splits it among your creditors.
This is the same legal process any NCR-registered debt counsellor follows. DebtBusters is not a lender and does not consolidate your debt into a new loan - debt review and debt consolidation are different things, which we explain elsewhere on this site.
How sign-up works
The typical journey is:
- You request a free assessment online or by phone.
- A consultant reviews your income, living costs and debts to see if you are over-indebted.
- If debt review suits you, they file the application and notify your credit providers and the credit bureaus.
- Your reduced payment plan is proposed and, where needed, confirmed by a magistrate's court.
- You make one monthly payment until your debts (excluding a home loan, which can run longer) are settled, then receive a clearance certificate.
While the application is in progress, creditors generally cannot take legal action against the listed accounts, which is one of the main protections debt review gives you.
DebtBusters vs the category norm
| Feature | DebtBusters | Typical NCR debt counsellor |
|---|---|---|
| NCR-registered | Yes | Yes (always check the number) |
| Free assessment | Yes | Usually yes |
| Online portal / app | Yes | Varies |
| Court confirmation of plan | Yes, as the NCA requires | Yes |
| Single monthly payment | Yes | Yes |
| Issues clearance certificate at the end | Yes | Yes |
Structurally DebtBusters offers what a strong debt counsellor should: a free check, court-confirmed restructuring and a way to monitor your account. The features are broadly the same across the better-known firms, so weigh service quality and clarity of fees.
Fees: what to expect
Debt review fees in South Africa are not invented by each company - they follow NCR fee guidelines. You can usually expect an initial application or restructuring fee, a once-off legal fee, an aftercare fee (a portion of your monthly payment) and the payment distribution agency's fee. These are added to your monthly debt review payment rather than paid separately upfront.
We do not publish a fixed Rand figure for DebtBusters because fees scale with your debt and are regulated. Always ask for a written breakdown of every fee before you sign, and confirm the figures against the NCR guidelines.
The downsides to weigh
Debt review through any provider has real costs:
- Your credit profile is flagged as under debt review for the whole period, so you cannot take new credit.
- Fees are added to your repayment, so a portion of what you pay each month goes to the counsellor and the distribution agency.
- It can take several years, and a home loan can extend it further.
- Leaving early is restricted - once a court has granted the order you generally must complete the process or apply formally to exit.
These are features of the law, not a fault of DebtBusters. The upside is legal protection from creditors and one affordable payment, which can be worth it if you are genuinely over-indebted.
Frequently asked questions
Is DebtBusters legit?
DebtBusters is a registered debt counsellor with the National Credit Regulator. Always verify the registration on the NCR website before signing, as you should with any debt counsellor.
What is the DebtBusters WhatsApp number?
We do not publish phone or WhatsApp numbers because they change and we will not risk sending you to the wrong line. Get the current WhatsApp and contact details from the official DebtBusters website or their verified NCR listing.
How does DebtBusters work?
It assesses your finances for free, files a debt review application, negotiates reduced instalments with your creditors and collects one monthly payment that is distributed to them until your debts are cleared.
Does DebtBusters give loans?
No. DebtBusters is a debt counsellor, not a lender. It restructures your existing debt rather than giving you a new loan. Debt review and debt consolidation are different things.
How much does DebtBusters charge?
Fees follow NCR guidelines and scale with your debt. Expect an application fee, a legal fee, a monthly aftercare fee and a distribution fee, all added to your monthly payment. Ask for a written breakdown before signing.
Can I cancel debt review with DebtBusters?
Once a court grants a debt review order, you generally cannot simply walk away. You either complete the plan or apply formally for removal, usually showing you are no longer over-indebted.
How long does DebtBusters debt review take?
It depends on your debt. Unsecured debts often take three to five years, while a bond can extend the process. You receive a clearance certificate once everything except a still-running home loan is settled.
