Debtfree DIGI Sept 2011

Debtfree South Africa’s debt counselling magazine

September 2011 www.debtcounsellingsa.co.za

NCR accredited payment distribution agency

CONTENTS 03

Editors notes

been forth coming is our own little industry scandal with allegations flying regarding NCR staff past and...well past. Juicy stuff! Be sure to read about it a little further in the magazine after the news section.

With rates set to stay the same (the lowest in 30 years...so no surprise there) but the cost 05 News of services and goods increasing consumers face continued pressure to curb spending 11 Trouble at the NCR and focus on debt repayments. However the unplanned lurks around every corners so stay 14 Cooking vs. eating out vigilant. Why not check out our tips section to 18 Compuscan Academy look at do it yourself: cooking vs. eating out. If you like a tasty pizza then skip ahead “pronto” 21 Alternative for Debt Counselling to drool over some tasty pictures. Just don’t start licking the computer screen or men in 24 Events white suits will be coming to get you and take you somewhere comfortable. On the plus side, 25 Service directory summer seems to heading our way. That can help reduce some of our electrical usage bills -which is a cost we are having to pay more and more attention to these days. Besides nothing really dries your clothes and leaves them fresh like direct sunlight. A little sun can go a long way in terms of our health and mood so...break out those shorts (not time for the bikini yet) “Time flies like the wind and fruit flies like and start burning that winter weight. Let the bananas” so they say. Can you believe we are in hawks and the public prosecutor worry about September? Wow and September has turned who did what and rather focus on getting out to be quite an interesting month for the debt free and maybe even going outside and debt counselling industry. Sure all that nasty getting a little sun for a change.

86 (10), banks being nasty to home owners, continues and DC’s and Advocates are running around left, right and centre trying to ensure no ones rights get trampled unnecessarily however the real focus this month was on announcements that were meant to be made regarding the job of NCR CEO/Regulator - which have not been forth coming. Rather what has

EDITOR

INDUSTRY

CONSUMER

NEWS FLASH DC Partner information regarding consumer deposit references DC Partner PDA have issued the following information: Dear Debt Counsellor Please take note of the fact that as from Monday, 19 September 2011, all our bank accounts will be changed to be subjected to transaction referencing.

All deposits that are made into the account will be forced to be subjected to a referencing check.

NCR warns DCs Leaving the Industry The NCR have issued the following statement about DC’s who drop clients and leave them in the lurch suddenly: We would like to appeal to all debt counsellors to inform the NCR when you change your contact details or when you are no longer practising as a debt counsellor. If you do not intend practising debt counselling further, we would expect that you fill out a form 10 and send to our registration department.

To this end we would appreciate that you find another DC to take over your files and Only the following references will be allowed: request that the proper transfer procedures are followed or alternatively request that the ID Number, which contains of 13 digits and NCR assist you in this regard so that consumers in the correct ID format, or the Application are not in any way prejudiced by you leaving number, which must always contain App + the the industry. physical number.

Too many DCs have brought debt counselling We trust that this will ensure speedy and into disrepute by absconding and leaving clients accurate allocation and ensure speedy in the lurch. Such conduct is unacceptable and distributions. the NCR will be taking action against those debt counsellors with a view to prosecuting Please forward all enquiries to pda@dcpartner. such offenders as this places a huge burden on co.za the NCR to assist these clients.

Kind Regards DC Partner

“The consumer must, for example, be able to choose whether they cede their existing life A recent complaint laid by a consumer with the policy, instead of taking out credit insurance Credit Ombud against a credit provider shows from the credit provider.” just how vigilant consumers should be when He says that monthly service fees are never taking out loans. allowed to be more than R50 plus VAT per The consumer took out a loan of R5000 with a month or R600 plus VAT per year. All interest micro lender, but soon realised that he would and initiation fees are regulated under the Act. not be able to pay back the loan as agreed.

“A consumer must also be made aware that “The credit provider put a garnishee order on should they default on a credit agreement, my salary for R800 per month to recover the they are liable for collection and attorney fees debt from October 2008 to March 2011,” he as legislated in the Magistrates Court Act and explains. “The total amount I had paid by April Rules, Debt Collectors Act, High Court Act and 2011 was amazingly, R24 000, but I was told Rules and the frameworks of the relevant law societies,” adds van Schalkwyk. “Not paying that I still owed R6 760 on the loan.” back a loan on time can cost consumers far The Credit Ombud investigated the case and more than the original amount they borrowed found that the collections agent for the micro just in interest and collection fees alone,” he lender had acted in contravention of the says. “The best way to avoid this is to make National Credit Act (NCA) and was ordered sure that you really can afford the loan in the to close the file and write off the outstanding first place.” balance. The Credit Ombud also issued a letter to the consumer’s salary department, Van Schalkwyk advises consumers to regularly requesting that the garnishee be stopped with check the status of the outstanding amount of their loan and what charges they are being immediate effect. billed for on a regular basis.

“Credit providers are entitled to include a number of charges in a credit agreement, but “A consumer must be advised on the total these must be in line with the national credit amount that they will be liable for, inclusive of regulations,” says Credit Ombud, Manie van all applicable costs,” says van Schalkwyk. “Once Schalkwyk. Costs which a credit provider is you see that something untoward is happening allowed to include in the credit agreement on your account or you suspect that you are over and above the principle debt or capital being over-charged, you can complain to the amount include service fees, initiation fees, Credit Ombud.” credit insurance and interest.

He adds: “educating yourself about how much “The credit agreement must explain all the of the original loan amount and of the interest costs to the consumer,” says Van Schalkwyk. you are paying off will help you put a budget Credit Ombud helps a consumer...somewhat.

and financial plan in place to pay off your debt more quickly. Also beware of loan agreements that seem to offer very good terms – if you default you could end up sacrificing your financial freedom.”

review process this strange situation would not have occurred.

A large number of taxi owners have entered into debt review since the inception of the NCA. They say that some DC’s who set the matters before courts did not make arrangements for these consumers to pay even reduced payments monthly during the time the matters were waiting at court. Due to Wesbank being unwilling to come to a reasonable settlement they have now sat out of pocket for many months while the court application was on the waiting lists. It seems that if Wesbank had been able to help consumers more in the debt

Wesbank have not stated what the long term plan is for recovering the shortfalls that could now possibly result from a glut of taxi owners losing their way of earning a living. When a vehicle is sold for a loss by the bank on auction then the consumer is still liable for the loss for years to come. Of course, these consumers will have no work and thus no means to repay the loss. It is a sad situation where neither party really wins in the end. It has been said though, that the banks are so desperate for funds that they are happy to just try increase their cash

These non paying consumers have naturally not been popular at the bank. Indeed since debt review is a fair debt collection process it is No information was released about the strange that there were some consumers who consumer receiving any funds back if there were not making monthly payments. Wesbank had been an exceeding of NCA Section 103(5) have not revealed what percentage of taxi however. owners under debt review were not paying monthly.

Consumers can contact the Credit Ombud office on 0861 66 28 37 or visit www.creditombud. Normally consumers pay each and every org.za month they are under debt review. The debt review process is the ultimate “fair” collection process ensuring all creditors are treated fairly (big or small).

Wesbank blame Debt Counsellors for telling taxi owners about debt review Many taxi owners did make regular payments via the process. However even in these cases Recently Wesbank have been saying how Wesbank often wanted more funds from happy they are since Collett v FRB has set them each month than the consumer could a precedent that allows them to take taxi responsibly afford. Wesbank are now happy owners to the High Court to try get the court that they can take these consumers to high to ignore the debt review applications of these court and cause them to pay extra thousands consumers in the Magistrates Courts and try of Rands in legal fees and maybe loose their get permission to sell these consumers taxis. means of earning a living.

flow in the short term and not worry about the long term for the moment.

making a change to these letters.

Mr. Nieuwoudt stated that he feels this is a victory for the DC industry.

However many banks are finding that matters going to the High Courts are simply being referred back to the Magsistrates Courts as is suggested in the Collett v FRB ruling. The banks are many times having to foot the bill in these NCR COLLUSION ALLEGATION cases. So, instead of increasing their income monthly, they are incurring further costs even A tender was issued by the NCR on 24 August in the short term. in regard to a call centre and other services which the NCR wish to out source. So? No Wesbank too face the challenge that if a matter big deal right? There has been some concern is referred to debt review because funds may however since the deadline for submission have been lent “recklessly” to consumers (who was 6 September. That means there was about could not afford it)these matters cannot be 8 working days for submission. Since such a referred to the High Court according to the tender calls for many documents etc to be Collett ruling. In such cases the bank may be submitted could anyone sucessfully tender punished according to the Credit Act. in such a short time unless they had been gioven a heads up? Some parties are shouting “collusion”.

ABSA to change controversial wording of Section 129 letters Recently ABSA started using a new Section 129 letter which was somewhat...ambiguous about the effect of the 129 on debt review. Paul Nieuwoudt of Munnik & Associates-Munnik Debt Counseling lead the charge by many concerned DC’s in regard to the wording.

ABSA have now decided to change the controversial wording of their Section 129 letter after considereding the issue that Mr Nieuwoudt raised in his open letter and in the interest of further improving consumer education to their customers. They have stated that they do not admit to any contravention of For more regularly updated news follow us the banking code of practice but will now be on twitter http://twitter.com/Debtfree_DIGI

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INDUSTRY

CONSUMER

TROUBLE AT THE NCR The National Credit Regulator looks after the credit industry and helps with implementation of certain aspects of the National Credit Act. The post of Regulator - the CEO of the bodyhas been unoccupied for several months since Mr. Gabriel Davel relatively abruptly left the post last year. At the time accusations were being hurled against Mr. Davel by some Debt Counsellors and investigations into allegations were under way. When Mr. Davel suddenly declared his intent to leave plans were put in place to find a new Regulator. Those plans have taken a long time to come to fruition and the

post currently remains vacant. In the interim Mr. Peter Setou who had occupied a post of importance at the NCR, helping to educate South Africans in regard to the National Credit Act (NCA), was looked to, to lead the way.

Indeed he was a leading candidate to take the post permanently. However that prospect suddenly looked to change when Mr. Setou was put on ‘special leave’ from his post as Senior Manager for Education and Strategy recently. Many were caught by surprise when this happened including Mr. Setou himself.

In response to the ‘special leave’ he was ordered to take Mr. Setou appealed to the CCMA since he was unhappy about the situation. He asked that he not be put on “special leave”...or at least that he would be told the reasons why the board of the NCR had done so.

Hawks and Public Prosecutors office formally charged Mr. Setou with Conflict of interest, fraud and misconduct.

The conflict of interest charges allegedly relate to, among other things, the granting work to companies of which he was a member. The The CCMA did not see him go back to work fraud charges supposedly also tie back to this at the NCR as he would have liked but it did company and involve the changing of figures set a deadline for the NCR to put their money on quotation documents so as to allow the where their mouth was (so to say). The NCR consulting firm he is a member of to have the were given until the end of August to formally lowest quotation for work (and thus to get the charge Mr. Setou with something or they were contract) and other cases of misconduct. to allow him back to work.

Another charge relates to Mr. Setou breaking Rumors as to the reasons for the ‘special leave’ the conditions of his “special leave” in discussing abounded and the NCR remained silent until the matter with the press. The Business Day, almost the very last minute when they, the among others, has published

several articles regarding Mr. Setou and the industry (including some quite inflammatory articles which have stirred up quite the hornets nest) it is now alleged that Mr. Setou broke the conditions of his “special leave by discussing the matter with the press. It is hard to tell if this is hard core investigative research or a product of political infighting and mud slinging. Either way it has alerted many to the fact that not all is paradise in the industry and at the Regulator.

Debtfree DIGI can categorically state that Mr. Setou did not discuss these matters with us.

Mr. Setou has reportedly said that all these things have been investigated before and that he is not guilty. The Hawks and public prosecutor are however now involved and there will be hearings during the month of September (and beyond) in this regard.

The investigation essentially takes Mr. Setou out of the running for the post of ‘Regulator’ for the NCR regardless of the outcome of the matter. Unless the post is not filled till later and he is exonerated of the charges.

Times have not been easy at the NCR as employees have no doubt been asked to either provide evidence to support or refute the claims.

Some people have jokingly have said that “the NCR can’t take your call right now because they are too busy shredding documents and waving magnets over hard drives”. Well, that may not be the case but it no doubt has been a strain on the currently leaderless organisation which is already fighting an uphill battle trying to bring Credit Providers into compliance, as well as, running around the country arguing points of the NCA in court trying to gain clarity on the actual meaning of the Act itself.

When contacted the NCR declined to comment further since there is an ongoing investigation.

No public statement on the subject has been made to date.

This matter does not obviously effect consumers nor DC’s or Credit Providers directly however if the allegations do prove true then there will be a negative effect in the public’s mind in regard to all the work done by the NCR to date. It may even call into question work done by honest Mr. Davel faces similar allegations regarding the hard working DC’s and others in the industry. awarding of certain contracts to certain parties While there would be no basis for that, it is true with which he had a personal relationships as that perception is reality. So this could be a big well as other serious allegations.

PR blow for an industry which has not had a lot of positive exposure recently..

Obviously both Mr. Davel and Mr. Setou, while nervous of the outcome, will be happy to have the allegations heard and dealt with out in the open. The accusations have been made and regardless of the reasons for these allegations (be they true or not) dealing with the matter in the public space will bring closure to the matter.

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CONSUMER

Some mornings my Ouma sticks her head into the room and offers us all “poor mans pizza”.

Basically it is a fancy version of melted cheese sarmies under the grill. Yummy! You know what’s better than poor mans pizza? Normal Pizza. There is just something about hanging out on the beach or visiting friends and having some pizza and a cold glass of Coke. Now it’s not diet food but man it’s some kind of comfort food. Maybe it is all that starch and gluten that sends signals to the pleasure centers of my brain. The snag is that pizza is not a comfort on your purse these days. In fact, for glorified toasted cheese you might rightly feel horrified with the prices some places charge for their pizzas. So I grabbed some menus from various pizza delivery places and compared that to making it my self. You might be interested in comparing the price difference. Ok, so there are dozens of different types of pizza styles and flavors. For the sake of this experiment i decided to stick to a basic ham and pineapple pizza.

Thick crust? thin crust? Well, that’s up to you.

Store One: Hawaiian (Ham and Pineapple), Medium R R49.95 for one pizza, Large R67.95 for one pizza.

Store Two: Ham & Pineapple R58.90 (one large pizza) My kitchen: 4 pack of pre-made pizza bases: R 27.00, block of cheese: R 12.00, ham: R 8, pineapple: R5.00, Total: R52.00 for four medium sized pizza’s. For 4 regular pizza’s which is much like 2 large pizza’s from the shops. To

make it even cheaper you could get a bag of Dough for about R10.00 and some tomato base for about R7.00 and have the same amount of bases to your particular liking for only R17.00 rather than R27.00 a saving of R10.00 which will buy you another bag of dough for another time. So roughly you can have 4 pizzas home made for the price of one store bought.

The moral of the story here is that if you have a craving for some yummy pizza save yourself a few bucks and grab the ingredients and enjoy some delicious home made pizza. It’s a treat for the whole family and truth is everyone deserves a treat every now and then. Even when times are tight. Eating out is easy and i hesitate to say fun, rather convenient maybe but paying hefty bills is far from convenient. I would rather save those extra rands for my kids school outings or my electricity bill which seems to keep going up. Eating out is costly. My friends recently told me of an occasion when they were in the home of pizza - Italy, that made me laugh and cringe at the same time. They went to a restaurant and ordered a margarita pizza. They swear it was the most delicious pizza they ever ate.

So nice in fact that they wanted to order a second one. Then they realised they had not even checked the menu to see how much it cost.

After all how much can a pizza cost, especially one with basically no toppings Well it cost... (wait for it) R250.00 . For a margarita! Ouch, no wonder they are still paying the trip off on their credit cards. I keep telling them they seriously need debt counselling. Guess they will only be having poor mans everything for a while.

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INDUSTRY

COMPUSCAN ACADEMY TRAINING SEMINAR ON DEBT REVIEW

One of the Debtfree DIGI team got to sit in on a seminar about the debt review process hosted by Compuscan Academy. We thought we would give you some feed back on what happened on the day.

The seminar was held at a lovely venue with approximately 11 attending. The snacks were nice and the atmosphere relaxed. What was of interest was that all those attending were from Credit Providers (Cp’s). No Debt Counsellors (DC’s) were present. Many attending had a limited knowledge of the process and recent changes as a result of court rulings on the subject. Invidulator Craig Sassman brought his knowledge of the subject to the audience in a straight forward and easy manner. The audience did not seem afraid to ask questions or offer opinions. It was clear that one or two attending obviously did have extensive day to

day experience with the debt review process.

What surprised us was the aggressive and negative view most CP’s attending had toward the process. In fact Craig had to spend quite some time discussing the advantages of the process to the CP’s . Advantages such as higher recovery rates and reduced collection cost.

Even then it felt as if many of the CP’s were more interested in finding out if they could get out of the process rather than deal with it. Many CP’s were surprised to learn that they (through their associations and various bodies) had already consented to the DCRS proposal system. This is a system (developed and paid for by BASA to replace the previous NDMA rules) which electronically works out how to split a consumers available funds in a fair way to all creditors. If DC’s send a proposal that uses these rules Creditors must accept these proposals and not oppose the court process.

It is a way to speed the process and make fair concessions and arrangements. It is not the only way proposals are made but is growing in popularity. However this new system has been a real challenge for the PDA’s to implement and integrate. Especially as the DCRS is in a constant state of flux.

At the end of the session there were smiles and most seemed to have not only learned something but have enjoyed themselves as well.

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INDUSTRY

CONSUMER

A JOURNEY INTO ALTERNATIVES FOR DEBT COUNSELLING The hugger-mugger attitude within the debt counselling milieu necessitates an investigation into the search for feasible alternatives.

The origin of the contemporary laissez-faire attitude towards debt counselling can be sought in the interpretation that various roleplayers attributed to the National Credit Act (NCA) after its promulgation in 2007.

Although the spirit and purport of the NCA is perspicuous as stated in Sec (3), the various role players have elected to follow the route that best suits their pockets, to the detriment of the deserving people who are really in need of the protection afforded to them by the NCA. Initially the Debt Counselling process was supposed to be a “friendly”, speedy and affordable process where consumers, represented by skilled Debt Counsellors, negotiate with credit providers for a workable solution. What the NCA envisaged to be a smooth, flawless and affordable process, did not suit the ulterior motives some of the participating parties.

The friendly process was subsequently converted into a hostile one. This was cunningly done by kindling suspicion between Credit Providers and Debt Counsellors resulting in an artificial hostile debt counselling environment.

First and foremost the creation of Payment Distribution Agencies (PDAs) under protection of the NCR, followed by concessions to same

for training of DC’s, was paramount in creating polarisation between the various role-players.

In these training sessions, CPs were portrayed as the enemy and DCs were conned into believing that CPs intentions were always hostile and counterproductive.

Secondly the legal fraternity grabbed the opportunity to “divide and rule”. The suspicion created by the stooges of the training providers was exploited and eventually led to a triumphant channelling of funds from all directions (CP’s DC’s & consumers) to their own pockets.

The suspicious and hostile atmosphere suited the big winners in this confrontation: the PDAs and Lawyers. Sadly it is a fact that no matter what, the biggest loser is first and foremost the consumer and secondly, the credit providers with the biggest winners being the lawyers and PDAs. Every cent that is gluttonously extracted from consumers, narrows the pool of economicly active consumers that can participate and does irreparable damage to our national economy.

The obvious solution is to disperse of the hostility between consumer and CPs. The NCA created the Debt Counselling process which was hijacked and adapted to fit the unscrupulous guardians of same. Fortunately the ACT also envisaged an alternative in the form of an Alternative Dispute Resolution

Agent (ADRA). This is an option that is worth exploration.

There are various acts that may be valuable in a new approach to debt review of which the Consumer Protection Act is the most prominent.

8.Regulation by the NCR of the informal process is first prize; however informal debt counselling does not require the blessing of the NCR. If Concerned Debt Counsellors stand together they can render a professional service par excellence without the involvement of the NCR. It is paramount to unite to show Recommendation consumers that they will get a professional 1.Debt Counselling should consist of four personal service. phases; I.Determine whether the consumer is over indebted. II.Restructuring the debt in 9.If a consumer is given the opportunity to an informal way as negotiated with the CP’s choose between Debt Review and Alternative (Multi-lateral discussions with NCR & CP’s i.e. Dispute Resolution, where the latter is a better NDMA, BASA etc.) III.Formal Debt Counselling ,more affordable option, he really has no option (incorporate the Administration Process for but to choose ADR. accounts where legal action has commenced.)

IV.Payment directly to the CP. 10.Consumer’s financial means only stretch so far. Every cent that is forked out unnecessary is 2.To do Debt Counselling the informal way keeping a large percentage of consumers out (eg. ADR) will save the Consumer: I.PDA FEES of the DC process and is harming the entire II.Legal fees economy.

3.The CP will get much more money

What do we have? We have the moral high ground. We must endeavour to make the CPs 4.The whole process still falls under the NCA, part of the solution by negotiation with them. except Sec 86 (for Debt Counsellors) which is We have a solution. If a consumer has to choose not applicable in the informal process which is between ADR or using a Debt Counsellor that good news because the informal process is not renders Debt counselling unaffordable he yet regulated by the NCR. has no choice. If he has to choose between becoming debt free in half the time via ADR 5. The NCR and NDMA endorsed the idea of vs Debt restructuring then the obvious choice informal debt counselling and indicated that is Alternative Dispute Resolution!!! Many they are also investigating same. highly spirited, motivated and skilled DCs with impeccable integrity stand ready to serve the 6.Negotiations with all role-players is consumer without fear or favour. If we stand paramount and urgent. together we can render a service par excellence We appeal to the Credit Providers to do the 7.The two processes can run concurrently sensible thing and assist in establishing and with the eventual aim to move totally to the supporting ADR. informal process.

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As one of the five NCR accredited PDA’s (payment distribution agency’s) DC Partner has been part of the debt review industry since August 2008. Situated in George in the Western Cape, we are also the only PDA south of the Orange River.

The systems, infrastructure and staff of DC Partner have been exposed to collection and distribution of payments for the past decade.

DC Partner strives to render services of the highest standard to customers.

DC Partner makes use of excellent software, provided by Debt – Wise. The PDA module is locally based and inherently linked to the Debt – Wise Debt Counseling software, which is internet based. Consumer information seamlessly passes from the Debt Counseling System to the Payment Distribution Agency.

We are very excited to announce that we have integrated our PDA distribution system with the Debt-Wise front end software. The distribution system was developed to integrate into the Debt-Wise software in such a manner that the user will not need to change anything in their systems, but could just continue with their day to day work and would see the distribution side as an additional tab on their home screens.

At this stage we are systematically moving all our current clients to the new system and this goes hand in hand with in office training by one of our skilled training officers.

Our main focus during the planning and creating of this system was to maximize data availability and accuracy. The DC can log into the system from anywhere in the country and with the click of a button he/she will be able to see what is going on in their dedicated PDA trust account, which clients made payments within the last 1, 2, 8 or even 24 hours, what fees are due to be paid to him/her, which files have distributed, which clients are in default.

We do daily distributions on this system and it is therefore important to make the system as user friendly and interactive as possible as things happen very quickly.

This will enable the DC to always see and be on top off what is happening to all of their clients and react, if needed, immediately.

DC Partner offers free in house training at any location in the country and we will also give all interested DC’s free access to our system for a trial period of up to three months.

For any further queries please feel free to contact our offices at any time.

DC Partner George Office Willie Boshoff – pda27@dcpartner.co.za Arnold Steyn – pda28@dcpartner.co.za Herman Joubert – herman@dcpartner.co.za 044 873 4440, 044 873 4530, 044 873 4532 DC Partner Gauteng Office Francois Van Zyl – francois@dcpartner.co.za Konstant De Vos – vossie@debt-wise.co.za 012 348 7624

EVENTS The session will focus on the following: • An industry overview • An NDMA Organisational Overview • The NDMA’s role in Debt Mediation • An explanation of the Credit Providers Affiliation Requirements & Process • An outline of the Debt Counselling Rules System Credit Providers and Debt Counsellors will also have the opportunity to engage with each NDMA INVITE 2011 other as well as with the NDMA and ask any On the 1st January 2011 a new Credit Industry pertinent questions or seek clarification on any Code of Conduct came into effect, bringing with aspect of the debt mediation process. it a fresh set of challenges and opportunities for Credit Providers and Debt Counsellors alike. As Date: Tuesday, 27 September 2011 the industry body tasked with implementing Time: 09h00 to 13h00 the Code, the National Debt Mediation Venue: Protea Hotel Sea Point Association (NDMA) is responsible for ensuring that all Credit Providers who accept the Section Kindly RSVP by Tuesday, 20 September 2011 48(1)(b) conditions of registration through the NCR affiliate to the NDMA and comply with the For Queries: code. The NDMA is also tasked with ensuring Nontobeko Mzilethi that all Debt Counsellors who are registered Tel: 011 326 3459 with the NCR are regularly updated on latest Email: nontobekom@ndma.org.za developments and progress within the credit industry space.

NOTE: The NDMA will be hosting the same briefing session in the following areas as well: The CEO of the NDMA, Ms Magauta Mphahlele 28 Sept – Port Elizabeth invites you to a Joint Credit Provider and Debt 30 Sept – Durban Counsellor Briefing Session where stakeholders 4 Oct – Bloemfontein will be briefed by NDMA Management on the 6 Oct – Polokwane role of the NDMA in the debt mediation process, 11 Oct – Nelspruit existing trends, and the current status in terms 13 Oct - Rustenburg of the implementation of the Code of Conduct.

SERVICE DIRECTORY DEBT COUNSELLING AA Debt Counselling Centre Anthea Johannes NCRDC531 Tel: +27 (0) 21 982 0522 Cell: +27 (0) 84 402 7032 Alan Watts NCRDC 962 NCR registered Debt Counsellor Tel: 084 4448439 Fax: 086 6501954 alan@active-debt-counselling.co.za www.active-debt-counselling.co.za Central SA Debt Counsellors 082 950 7806 Fax: 086 563 1621 Consumer Assist Andre Snyman Tel: 0861 628 628 Credit Matters 021 431 9100 info@creditmatters.co.za CS Debt Counselling Bernidene Smith NCRDC 764 057 352 4115/352 5000 Welkom - Free state Darran Manikam NCRDC704 debt@mailbox.co.za Debtbusters 0861 663 328 (NO DEBT) Debt Budget ph. 021 701 7744 Debt Solve Debt Counsellors Office: 033 397 0945

DebtSafe 0861 100 999

Debtonators 041 585 0276

Debt Rehab Colleen Van Wyk(BCom, LLB) Debt Counsellor NCRDC2619 Tel: 083 290 0848 Tel: 011 740 7374 Fax: 086 716 9694 Website: http://debtrehab.co.za

Fincorp debt Counsellors cc Cecilia Zwarts fincorpdc@yahoo.com

Debt Rescue Neil Roets NCR DC 474 Cell: 083 644 7406 Tel: 0861 800 009 Fax: 086 523 0617 E-mail: admin@debtrescue.co.za www.debtrescue.co.za Durban Debt Counselling Services Suite 112, 1st floor Union Club Building 353 Sm ith Street Durban, 4001 Tel: 031 301-7893 Fax: 031 301-5809 phumla.ngema@telkomsa.net Debt Counselling South Africa Cape Town Branch Tel: 021 919 66 94 Rod De Witt NCRDC831 Visit: www.debtcounsellingsa.co.za Debt Knowledge Debt Counselling 082 379 2337

Holistic Debt Counsellors info@holisticdc.co.za Helpdesk Debt Counsellors Allan Hoffman Tel: 0861 000 754 Help-U-Debt (Vaal Triangle) Wanine Tel: 082 445 3967 Help-U-Debt (Potchefstroom) Madra 083 390 3275 Help-U-Debt (Parys) Marilouise 082 920 6249 Help-U-Debt (Vanderbijlpark) Herma 083 320 8303 MG Consulting NCRDC 1403 Strand - Helderberg Area Telkom : 021 853 4537 Mobile Phone: 082 450 7459 / 082 782 0595 Fax Number: 0866 220 690 E-Mail: info@mgconsulting / cambouris.christina@gmail.com www.mgconsulting.co.za

NDA Debt Counsellors Your Trusted Debt Counsellors Gary Williams (NCRDC 143) Tel: 034 315 3880 Fax: 086 612 4112 gary@ndad.co.za www.ndad.co.za Think Green Debt Counselling Sandi Pauw sandipauw@mweb.co.za Tel : 012 991 6638 Cell : 082 460 7800 Fax : 086 219 2615 Incentive Debt Counselling “Paving the way to a Debt Free Tommorrow” Darran Manikam NCRDC704 Tel: (031) 409 9379 Fax: (031) 409 1327 Cell: 0845898286 Branches: Phoenix and Shallcross Indigo debt counsellors CC Tel: 087 808 9734 Fax: 086 580 8675 indigodc@iburst.co.za Zuné Coetzer Debt Counsellors NCRDC 1599 24 van der Stel Street Dan Pienaar Bloemfontein Tel: 051-4364515 Fax: 086 5870 845 Email: zunecoetzer1@gmail.com

DRS ALGOA Marius Weyers Cell: 083 497 3219 Email: marius@drssa.co.za

BORDER REGION: DRS BEACON BAY Johan Pretorius Cell: 082 324 4038 Office: 043 748 1139 DRS BUFFALO CITY Herman Marias Cell: 082 378 3743 Office: 043 7210652 DRS KING WILLIAMS TOWN Herman Marais Cell: 082 378 3743 Email: herman@drssa.co.za DRS CRADOCK Office: 043 721 0652 DRS QUEENSTOWN Herman Marais Cell: 082 378 3743 Email: herman@drssa.co.za DRS MTHATHA Herman Marais Cell: 082 378 3743 Email: herman@drssa.co.za EASTERN CAPE: DRS ALBANY Office: 041 373 9693 Email: dcfull@drssa.co.za

DRS BOND CHOICE P.E. Andrea Atkinson Office: 041 393 7000 Email: andrea.atkinson@drssa.co.za DRS CENTRAL EXPRESS Derryn Fish Office: 041 373 9693586 2020 Email: derrynfish@drssa.co.za DRS DESPATCH Isabe Landman Cell: 072 337 3328 Office: 041 933 1189 Email: isabe@drssa.co.za DRS HUMANSDORP Morne Steyn Cell: 083 298 8182 Office: 042 291 0135 Email: Morne@drssa.co.za DRS NKONKOBE (Fort Beaufort) Bernadine von der Decken Cell: 083 2859289 Office: 046 645 1898 Email: bernadine@drssa.co.za DRS KIRKWOOD Keith Le Roux Cell: 073 207 1675 Office: 041 451 0474 Email: keith@drssa.co.za DRS PORT ELIZABETH Derryn Fish Cell: 084 515 6135 Office: 041 453 8961 Email: derryn@drssa.co.za

DRS SIDWELL EXPRESS Keith Le Roux Cell: 073 207 1675 Office: 041 451 0474 Email: Keith@drssa.co.za DRS SOMMERSET EAST Luther De Bruyn Cell: 082 568 2970 Office: 042 243 1107 Email: luther@drssa.co.za DRS UTENHAGE Lynn Lindoor Cell: 083 7174 183 Email: Lynnl@drssa.co.za FREESTATE: DRS GOLDFIELDS (Welkom) Irvin Billy (Derryn Fish) Cell: 072 114 4427 Office: 081 319 0083 Email: Billy@drssa.co.za

GARDEN ROUTE: DRS DE AAR Veronique Louw (Derryn Fish) Cell: 076 382 2020 Office: 053 631 1189 Email: deaar1@drssa.co.za DRS GEORGE Francois Van Zyl Cell: 079 522 1930 Office: 044 874 2820 Email: francoisv@drssa.co.za DRS EDEN (Hartenbos) Bruno Mertsch Tel: 042 291 1083/4 Email: brunom@drssa.co.za GAUTENG: DRS CENTURION EXPRESS Amanda Johnon Office: 041 373 9693 Email: dcfull@drssa.co.za

DRS MANGAUNG Amanda Johnson Office: 041 373 9693 Email: dcfull@drssa.co.za

DRS LYNNWOOD Junique Julius Office: 012 807 4339 Email: lynnwood1@drssa.co.za

DRS FOREISTATA EXPRESS (Bloemfontein) Derryn Fish Office: 041 373 9693 Email: dcexpress@drssa.co.za

DRS PRETORIA EXPRESS Ben Vermeulen Cell: 082 442 8654 Office: 012 331 2145 Email: bverm@lantic.net

DRS SOUTH FREESTATE Nelmarie De lange Cell: 079 236 3615 Office: 053 591 0734 Email: nelmarie@drssa.co.za

DRS PRETORIA NOORD Office: 041 373 9693 Email: dcfull@drssa.co.za DRS ROODEPOORT EXPRESS Derryn Fish Office: 041 373 9693 Email: dcexpress@drssa.co.za

DRS RUSTENBURG Amanda Johnson Office: 041 373 9693 Email: dcfull@drssa.co.za KWA ZULU NATAL: DRS GREYVILLE Vyas Juggernath Cell: 083 206 0300 Office: 031 309 8716 Email: vyas@drssa.co.za DRS KOKSTAD Melanie Louwrens Cell: 083 269 0424 Office: 039 727 1430 Email: melanie@drssa.co.za DRS MORNINGSIDE DURBAN Erica Mtshali (Amanda Johnson) Cell: 076 578 8660 Office: 031 301 5990 email ericah@drssa.co.za DRS PHOENIX Vyas Juggernath Cell: 083 206 0300 Office: 031 309 8716 Email: vyas@drssa.co.za DRS PIETERMARITZBURG Sanele Zulu Cell: 083 543 3487 Office: 033 394 8319 Email: sanele@drssa.co.za WESTERN CAPE: DRS BELLVILLE Patricia Bekker Office: 021 948 8523 / 4 Email: patricia@drssa.co.za

DRS DIAMOND Clive Palmer Office: 021 421 8563 Email: clive@drssa.co.za DRS TYGERBERG Craig Lakey Cell: 082 627 0957 Office: 021 945 4062 Email: craiglakey@drssa.co.za DRS WEST COAST Marius Coetzee Cell: 082 978 4407 Office: 022 713 3766 Email mariusc@drssa.co.za DRS SALDANHA Marius Coetzee Office: 022 713 3766 Email: mariusc@drssa.co.za DRS SOLUTIONS Christelle de Villiers Cell: 084 586 5600 Email: cdv@vodamail.co.za U-Win Debt Counsellors Coreli Roos - NCR DC 509 Aliwal North, Burgersdorp, Bethulie, GariepDam, Smithfield, Springfontein Cell:079 626 66241 croos@global.co.za Rihanyo Debt Counselling (012) 804 50 57 SUPPORT SERVICES Staff Line Ndizani Executive Recruitment Cell no: 083 3028163 Direct Line: (011) 468 - 2150 E- Mail: saki@staffline.co.za

Blank Design For all design and marketing needs including websites, brochures, business cards etc.

Steve Rosenberg steve@blankds.com 083 700 2020 www.blankds.com Designtimes South Africa’s creative resource www.designtimes.co.za TRAINING Compuscan Academy 0861 51 41 31 www.compuscanacademy.co.za FINANCIAL ABSA Customer Debt Repair Line 0860 356 356 Credit Ombudsman 0861 662837 Experian 011 799-3400 debtcounsel@experian.co.za Eric Streso Financial Planner B Juris LL B CFP MBA Tel: 0833273358 Fax: 086 612 7912 Fair Debt 0829019788 or 012-3772558 ray@fairdebt.co.za PACFIN Financial Solutions Head Office Tel: +27 11 9757445 Fax: 0865368783

36 Van Riebeeck road Kempton Park 1619 pieter@pacfin.co.za Monte Carlo Building No 8 Voortrekkerstreet Kempton Park 1619 Kempton Park Contact: Reyno Coetzee Tel: +27 11 3945363 Fax: 0866048002 Cell: +27 73 3690884 kemptonpark@pacfin.co.za Boksburg / Germiston Contact: Armand Posthumus Tel: +27 11 8921911 Fax: 0865620378 Nelspruit Contact: Ann Baker Tel: +27 13 7415559 Fax: 0880 1374 15559 Cell: +27 82 9024236 jeleroux@telkomsa.net Springs Contact: Wynand Mclachlan Tel: +27 11 8113728 Fax: +27 11 8113728 Cell: +27 83 2754014/5 wynmc@telkomsa.net Gooseberry Business Advisory Tel: 012 644 0589 Nedbank Debt Rehabilitation & Recoveries Services 0860 109 279 STD Bank Debt review Helpline Telephone: 0861 111 402

TransUnion 0861 482 482 Thinkmoney Financial comparison website Contact: Gareth Mountain Tel: 079 0996 798 www.thinkmoney.co.za WIZARD Vereeniging Making Mortgage Magic Wanine Smit Tel:+27 16 454 1132 Fax:+27 86 686 3678 Cell:+27 82 445 3967 www.wizard.za.com FINANCIAL PLANNING Eric Streso Financial Planner B Juris LL B CFP MBA Tel: 0833273358 Fax: 086 612 7912

LEGAL Brett Carnegie Attorneys Tel: +27 (21) 4470332 Fax: +27 (21) 4470338 Mobile: +27 (0)82 320 6099 www.carnegielaw.co.za Suite 23(B) Unit 8 Waverley Business Park Mowbray 7700 Scheepers Attorneys Gerhard Scheepers schlaw@iburst.co.za

LUCID Attorneys Tel: 011 880 1100 Fax: 011 880 1101 Email: info@lucidsa.com www.lucidliving.co.za/attorney Ludick Attorneys bev.ludickattorneys@gmail.com

Experian www.experian.co.za Business- 0861 63 60 70 Consumer- 0861 10 5665 Micro Lenders Credit Bureau 0861 28 7328 www.mlcb.co.za

Prinsloo & Associates Attorneys and conveyancers Nanika Prinsloo Farm Bergamot, Paarl 7620 P O Box 6199, Paarl 7620 14 Laing Street, Barrydale 6750 Cell: 072-8558-106 Fax: 086-623-5986 nanika@vodamail.co.za www.empowerlaw.co.za

TransUnion 0861 886 466 www.transunion.co.za

RM Brown and Associates 601 Pier House, 13 -17 Heerengracht, Cape Town Docex 138 Cape Town t: 021 431 9127 f: 021 425 0875 e: lodea@rmbrown.co.za Agiliti CC Colleen Van Wyk(BCom, LLB) Tel: 083 290 0848 Tel: 011 740 7374 Fax: 086 716 9694 Website: http://agiliti.co.za

Association of Debt Recovery Agents: 011 781 3337 www.adraonline.co.za

CREDIT BUREAUS

Department of Trade and Industry 0861 843 384 www.thedti.gov.za

Compuscan 0861 514 131 www.compuscan.co.za Computer Profile Bureau 0861 28 7328 www.c-p-b.co.za

XDS 0860 937 000 www.xds.co.za OTHER

Banking Ombud 0860 800 900 www.obssa.co.za Credit Bureau Association 011 463 8211 www.cba.co.za Credit Providers Association 011 789 6825 www.cpa.org.za

Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Ombud 012 470 9080 www.faisombud.co.za

Financial Services Board 012 428 8000 www.fsb.co.za Furniture Traders Association 011 789 6770 Legal Resources Centre 011 836 9831 www.lrc.org.za Long Term Insurance Ombud 021 657 5000 www.ombud.co.za Micro Finance South Africa 012 345 0809 www.mfsa.net Motor Industry Ombud 012 841 2945 www.miosa.co.za National Credit Regulator 0860 627 627 Ombud for Short term Insurance 011 726 8900 www.osti.co.za Pension Funds Adjudicator 021 674 0209 www.pfa.org.za South African Fraud Prevention 0860 101 248 www.safps.org.za The Banking Association 011 370 3500 www.banking.org.za SA FRAUD PROTECTION SERVICE (FREE SERVICE) www.safps.org.za 0860 101 248

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