DebtBusters
Debt Counselling · 132 reviews
#11
Rank
7.5/10
Our Score
How we rate
Each lender is scored out of 10 across five weighted factors: customer reviews (35%), loan terms & cost (25%), transparency (15%), NCR registration (15%), and customer support (10%). We are independent and never accept payment for higher rankings. Read full methodology →
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Debt Counselling Terms
Min Debt
Any amount
Process Length
36–60 months
Initial Fee
NCR-regulated
Monthly Fee
NCR-regulated
NCR Number
Not listed
Services Offered
- ✓Debt Counselling
- ✓Debt Consolidation
- ✓Credit Monitoring
Top Loans from Our Experts
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓ Nine-time winner of the Top National Debt Counsellor award at the Debt Review Awards, reflecting consistent industry recognition
- ✓ Has assisted over one million South Africans, giving the team deep experience across a wide variety of debt situations
- ✓ Provides immediate legal protection under the NCA, preventing creditors from taking legal action, repossessing assets, or issuing summonses once debt review is active
- ✓ Clients make a single consolidated monthly payment, simplifying financial management during the repayment period
- ✓ Free credit monitoring service included, allowing clients to track their credit report and score at no additional cost
- ✓ Extended operating hours including weekends make it accessible for working South Africans who cannot call during standard business hours
- ✓ Strong customer service feedback, with multiple reviewers citing responsive consultants and thorough follow-up communication
Disadvantages
- ✗ Debt review typically takes between 36 and 60 months to complete, which is a significant multi-year commitment
- ✗ Clients under debt review are flagged on their credit profile and cannot access any new credit facilities during the process
- ✗ The debt review flag remains on the credit bureau record until a clearance certificate is issued and the bureaus are updated
- ✗ Debt review is a formal legal process under the NCA and cannot simply be exited once a court order has been granted without following the correct legal procedure
- ✗ Specific NCR registration number (NCRDC) and detailed fee schedule are not prominently published on the website, requiring consumers to enquire directly
- ✗ Debt review does not cover home loans in the same way as unsecured debt in all cases, and consumers should clarify how their mortgage is treated upfront
- ✗ The process requires consistent monthly payments over several years; missed payments can jeopardise the court order and legal protection
About DebtBusters
DebtBusters is South Africa's most awarded debt counselling company, recognised as the Top National Debt Counsellor at the Debt Review Awards nine times. Based in Cape Town and operating nationally, the company has guided over a million South Africans toward financial freedom through structured, NCR-regulated debt review and debt counselling services under the National Credit Act 34 of 2005.
The company offers formal debt review under Section 86 of the NCA, debt consolidation, and free credit monitoring. Through skilled negotiation with banks and creditors, DebtBusters works to reduce a client's total monthly debt repayments, often significantly, while providing immediate legal protection against repossession, summonses, and judgements. Clients make a single consolidated monthly payment managed on their behalf.
DebtBusters is suited to South Africans who earn a regular income but find themselves unable to meet all their monthly debt obligations across multiple creditors. Their process is designed to be straightforward, with a personalised repayment plan structured to fit the client's budget, a clear timeline to completion, and ongoing support from a dedicated team throughout the full debt review period.
How Does DebtBusters Work?
The process begins with a free consultation and affordability assessment, during which a DebtBusters consultant reviews the client's income, living expenses, and full list of outstanding debts to confirm over-indebtedness under the National Credit Act. Once accepted, DebtBusters formally notifies all creditors and the credit bureaus that the client is under debt review in terms of Section 86 of the NCA, triggering immediate legal protection. A restructured repayment proposal is then negotiated with each creditor, seeking reduced monthly instalments and, where possible, lower interest charges, before being formalised through a consent order or Magistrate's Court order. The client then makes a single monthly payment via DebiCheck or similar payment arrangement, which is distributed to all creditors by a registered Payment Distribution Agency, continuing until all included debts are settled in full.
Requirements
- South African resident with a valid South African ID document
- Proof of regular income, such as recent payslips or bank-stamped bank statements
- Recent bank statements, typically covering the last three months
- A complete list of all current creditors, account numbers, and outstanding balances
- Proof of residential address, such as a utility bill or lease agreement
- Confirmation of all monthly living expenses to allow an accurate affordability assessment
- The applicant must be genuinely over-indebted, meaning monthly debt repayments and living expenses exceed net monthly income
Who Is DebtBusters Best For?
DebtBusters is designed for South Africans who earn a regular salary or income but are struggling to keep up with repayments across multiple credit accounts, whether those are personal loans, vehicle finance, credit cards, store accounts, or other credit agreements. It is particularly well suited to individuals who need immediate legal protection from creditor action and want a structured, professionally managed path to becoming debt-free. It is not appropriate for consumers who are unemployed with no income, as a realistic repayment plan requires some level of consistent earnings.
Is DebtBusters Safe & Legit?
Debt counselling through DebtBusters is conducted under the National Credit Act 34 of 2005, which is overseen by the National Credit Regulator. All registered debt counsellors in South Africa must hold a valid NCR registration number in the format NCRDCxxxx, and the fees they may charge are capped and regulated by the NCR to protect consumers. Once a client is formally placed under debt review, the NCA provides statutory legal protection, meaning creditors are prohibited from pursuing further legal action, issuing summonses, or repossessing assets for the duration of the review process.
Registered Credit Provider (NCR)
Our Full Review
DebtBusters has established itself as one of the most prominent debt counselling companies in South Africa since its founding, operating under the regulatory framework of the National Credit Act 34 of 2005. The company has won the Top National Debt Counsellor accolade at the Debt Review Awards nine times, a record that reflects consistent performance and peer recognition within the debt counselling industry. Having guided over a million South Africans through the debt review process, DebtBusters brings considerable practical experience to clients who are navigating what is often a stressful and complex financial situation.
The core offering is formal debt review under Section 86 of the NCA, a legal process in which a registered debt counsellor formally assesses a consumer's over-indebtedness, notifies all creditors and credit bureaus, and negotiates a restructured repayment plan. DebtBusters also offers debt consolidation as an alternative for clients whose circumstances allow for a single consolidated arrangement rather than full statutory debt review. Their free credit monitoring tool adds practical value by allowing clients to check their credit report and track improvements to their credit score throughout the process and beyond.
As required under the NCA, DebtBusters must hold a valid NCR registration number and comply with the NCR's regulated fee structure. Fees for debt counselling in South Africa are subject to NCR guidelines, which include a restructuring fee and a monthly aftercare fee, typically capped at a percentage of the debt repayment amount. Consumers are encouraged to request a full fee disclosure upfront before signing any agreement, as these costs will form part of the monthly repayment arrangement. The website does not publish the specific NCRDC registration number or a detailed fee schedule openly, so prospective clients should request this information directly during their initial consultation.
Customer feedback reflects a broadly positive experience, particularly around consultant responsiveness and the quality of individual support. Reviewers frequently highlight the professionalism of consultants, timely follow-up, and the practical relief felt once repayments are reduced and legal protection kicks in. Verified customer accounts describe situations ranging from business debt that threatened marriages to over-extended credit use by young earners, and in both cases clients credit DebtBusters with providing real, lasting relief. The company holds a Trustpilot score of 4.1 from 136 reviews, with the majority of recent feedback rated five stars.
Overall, DebtBusters represents a credible, experienced, and well-regulated option for South African consumers who are over-indebted and need a professionally managed route to financial recovery. The multi-year commitment and restrictions on new credit are inherent to the debt review process itself rather than specific to this provider, and consumers should approach debt review with a clear understanding of what the process entails. For those who meet the requirements and are committed to the process, DebtBusters offers the expertise, track record, and ongoing support needed to see the process through to a clearance certificate.
User Reviews (132)
Very good service from consultant
Very good service
Client service is beyond exceptional
Client service is beyond exceptional
Amazing Service
The consultant was absolutely brilliant, assisting me with all issues at hand. She also sent me a follow up email as per the conversation discussed. 10/10 Service
Great service
Always going above and beyond for customers satisfaction. Quick turnaround time on queries
Not applicable
Not applicable
Service is great
Service is great
Very friendly And efficient
Very friendly And efficient
Only 3 months left,and i'll be…
Only 3 months left,and i'll be debtfree,i can recommend Debtbusters even in my sleep,they really know how to bust your debt,they really are the best
You attend to my need promptly
You attend to my need promptly
Communication
Communication
Feedback was immediately provided
The communication was provided within the peeriod with clear indication of what could be the outcome.
DO NOT TRUST THIS COMPANY!
Very poor service and extremely poor communication. Multiple follow ups were made, yet no proper response or assistance was provided. Important requests were apparently not processed despite assurances from staff, which caused unnecessary stress and serious inconvenience. There was little accountability, no urgency, and no meaningful feedback when it was most needed. Overall, a very disappointing experience. This company takes your money and does not pay your creditors of which confirmation was provided by my car finance company of which they terminated contract with Debt Buster which resulted in almost having my car repossessed in the process. DO NOT EVER MAKE THE BIGGEST MISTAKE BY DEALING WITH THIS COMPANY!!!!!!!!!!!
Zilungile is an absolute star
Zilungile is an absolute star. Very impressive service, an asset to your organization.
Make it simple
Thanks for explaining
service
The level of serve I got this morning from debt buster call was so helpful. So clear and understandable. This was exactly what I needed to hear Thank you
Laaiqah Khan was truly a great help
Laaiqah Khan was truly a great help , thank you for calling me back and resolving my query .
DebtBusters: The Most Unprofessional, Hostile Customer Experience I’ve Had in Years
I am deeply disappointed with the service I received from DebtBusters. After reaching out for assistance, I was met with short, unhelpful email responses that did absolutely nothing to address my questions or the reason for my enquiry. To make matters worse, I was assigned a consultant named Jeanpi, whose conduct was completely unprofessional and unacceptable. This was, without exaggeration, one of the worst customer service experiences I have ever had. I was spoken over, interrupted, and at one point shouted at, as a potential customer. That is shocking. As someone who is a Head of Customer Support, I can confidently say that this behavior reflects severe customer-handling issues. If this consultant worked under me, he would be removed from call duties immediately and required to attend a disciplinary proceeding for: Dereliction of duty Brand and reputational damage Failure to uphold basic customer service standards No customer, even a potential one should ever feel disrespected, dismissed, or mistreated when reaching out for help. This experience has completely destroyed any confidence I might have had in DebtBusters’ ability to support customers with professionalism and care. This was horrific service, and I am beyond disappointed. I DO NOT OR EVER WILL recommend this company to anyone.
good
Made thing easier
Clear and honest responses.
Clear and honest responses.
Fast and easy
Fast and easy
Showing 20 of 132 reviews
Contact DebtBusters
Frequently Asked Questions
What services does DebtBusters offer?
DebtBusters offers formal debt review under Section 86 of the National Credit Act, debt consolidation for qualifying clients, and a free credit monitoring service that allows consumers to view their credit report and track their credit score. Their debt counsellors negotiate directly with creditors on the client's behalf to reduce monthly repayments and provide legal protection during the process.
Is DebtBusters registered with the NCR?
All debt counsellors operating legally in South Africa must be registered with the National Credit Regulator and hold a valid NCRDC registration number. DebtBusters operates as a registered debt counselling company under the NCA. Consumers are advised to request and confirm the specific NCRDC registration number directly from DebtBusters before entering into any agreement, as this is a consumer right under the National Credit Act.
How long does the debt review process take?
The debt review process with DebtBusters typically takes between 36 and 60 months, depending on the total amount of debt included in the review and the restructured repayment amounts negotiated with creditors. The exact timeline is set out in the repayment proposal and confirmed by a court order. Some clients may complete the process sooner if they are able to increase their monthly payments or settle accounts early.
What are the fees for debt counselling with DebtBusters?
Debt counselling fees in South Africa are regulated by the National Credit Regulator and include a once-off restructuring fee and a monthly aftercare fee, which is typically a percentage of the monthly debt repayment, subject to NCR caps. DebtBusters does not publish a detailed fee schedule on their public website, so prospective clients should request a full, transparent fee breakdown during the initial consultation before signing any agreement.
Can I take out new credit while under debt review?
No. Once you are formally placed under debt review under Section 86 of the NCA, you are legally prohibited from applying for or taking on any new credit for the duration of the process. Your credit profile will also reflect the debt review flag, which will remain until you receive a clearance certificate confirming that all included debts have been settled in full.
What happens when I complete the debt review process?
Once all debts included in the debt review have been fully repaid, your debt counsellor issues a Section 71 clearance certificate. This certificate is submitted to all credit bureaus and your registered debt counsellor, formally removing the debt review flag from your credit profile. From that point, you are no longer under debt review and may begin rebuilding your credit profile by managing new credit responsibly.
Will I be protected from legal action by creditors during debt review?
Yes. One of the key benefits of formal debt review under the NCA is immediate legal protection. Once DebtBusters notifies your creditors and the credit bureaus that you have applied for debt review, creditors are legally prevented from issuing summonses, obtaining judgements against you, or repossessing your assets, provided you maintain your restructured monthly payments as agreed.
How do I get started with DebtBusters?
You can contact DebtBusters by calling 086 999 0606, completing the callback request form on their website at debtbusters.co.za, or visiting their offices at the 4th Floor, Mutual Park, Jan Smuts Drive, Pinelands, Cape Town. Their consultants will conduct a free initial assessment of your income, expenses, and debt obligations to determine whether debt review or another debt solution is appropriate for your situation.