www.debtfreedigi.co.za

DebtfreeSouth Africa’s debt counselling magazine

August 2012

During the brief history of our industry, there have been many occasions when we spoke about the direction that our industry would take, why certain matters where not addressed and how was it possible that DCs had so little support. We have all suffered, endured and felt the pains of despair on more than a few occasions. Looking back at all our many obstacles, the fights amongst ourselves, the bullying tactics of attorneys and credit providers, the desperation of our clients and the endless hours we take to ensure our clients are protected – amazingly we have persevered and can proudly say we are the ones left standing.

What many of us do not even realise, is how successful we as an industry are. Collectively we all have helped to save tens of thousands of cars, homes and lives. We have saved families being torn apart, given sanity to those in debt but most of all, we have become an important part in helping to save the South African economy. The New Economic Rights Alliance have formed an independent Debt Counselling Union. Every DC and association has been invited to join the existing stronghold of an NPO who currently has more than 100,000 consumers on their database. New Era are the one’s responsible for helping in the Michael Tellinger case. They

TO ALL “CONSUMER DEBT GUARDIANS”

YOU HAVE A VOICE

have currently served Summons on every bank in SA - and debt counsellors via theDCI have been called to join forces with them in their fight for justice. Included into their court papers will be the debt counselling industry’s own fight for justice – the bad faith that terrorises not only our consumers but every DC and their attorney. This is a massive class action that is happening right now.For the first time every debt counsellor has been invited into an action personally. It is the first time that we, as an industry, can voice our concerns and build a case together with a stronghold of consumers backing us as we do them. This is about the masses of voices

all singing the same song, not a chosen few singing their own tune.In this theDCI Special Edition of Debtfree DIGI you will find a letter from NewERA about the Union. To join go to http://micro2.majesticinteractive.co.za/bf.php?fid=1197Queries should be addressed to the Chairman at NewEra who you can mail at: chairman@newera.org.za If ever there was a time to Speak Up, Stand Together And Unite As One – it is now.

UNITED WE STAND

Debt review and distribution software.Proud Software provider to DC Partner, Payment Distribution Agency.

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Debt Wise Solutions

C O N T E N T S

5 Editors notes

9 News

20 DEBT VADER Amandla! Awetu!

23 VATMAN Death & taxes

26 Mpho Thekiso

30 Need to not speed 32 Service directory

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Debt Review Software by

Bitech is recognised as the leading Debt Counsellor software system supplier.

Simplicity is rich in functionality and caters for all Debt Counsellor requirements e�ortlessly.

Simplicity is leading edge technology and Bitech stay at the forefront of development - we continue to lead the way!

The Simplicity system is fully integrated with Hyphen PDA, which provides you, the Debt Counsellor, with an uninterrupted and e�cient service with no manual intervention and in total control.

Some features of the Simplicity system are completely unique unique, amongst others is the ability to create customised legal documentation instantaneously.

Bitech prides itself on its after sales service and the support it provides to Debt Counsellors - this is as important as the excellence of the Simplicity product!

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Hyphen Technology (Pty) Limited is a member of the FirstRand Group

Hyphen PDA is a division of Hyphen Technology (Pty) Limited, which is wholly-owned by the FirstRand Group - �nancial soundness is important when considering a PDA!

Hyphen PDA is at the top of its game and is unrivalled in the collections and payment space.

Hyphen PDA essentially operates with the use of banking systems (iSeries mainframe computers) and the PDA and Payments Engine are fully integrated - as a result you will seldom, if ever, query the status of your collections or payments.

The reports generated are everything a Debt Counsellor will need to manage the business - reporting is immediate, current and always available.

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Contact Bitech

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Simplici ty

First off, give yourself a gold medal! Why? Why not? You’r a good person aren’t you? You deserve it. We already know you have great taste in reading material. Ah, shucks go on and give yourself another medal just for that. But seriously... the fun and games of the Olympics is over and once again a mild distraction fades into memory as reality and the obligations we face come back to stress us.

Well, at least if you are reading this magazine then like thousands of other South Africans, you have decided to be proactive about tackling your debt. Taking action about a problem always helps reduce your stress levels. So...give yourself another gold medal!

The last few weeks have not only been about being glued to your TV screen. There has been some crazy things going one, like the tragic news story of a debt-stressed consumer who committed suicide because of not knowing what to do about her debt. In the news section you will also find out about how ABSA sold a

consumer’s house on auction for only R1000. Madness! The debate over VDMS is still raging on, and while all that is going on, the NCR are complaining about DC’s outsourcing some of their work load to ADR’s. Oh, by the way the NCR outsourced an investigation into VDMS and it is rumoured that the results are back.

Once you have caught up on the news, look at the unfair treatment of consumers under debt review and consider why this is happening, and what you could do about it. We also have advice and features on industry role players and lot, lots more.

Remember how determined you were to start working out to get “abs” like those Olympians? Well, use that determination to push you to new heights of physical fitness and we hope that you can use this months issue to get you just one step closer to the ultimate ‘gold medal’ - being debt free.

EDITOR’S NOTE

www.dcmgroup.co.za

INDUSTRY CONSUMER

ABSA sell consumers home for R1000.00

ABSA ‘s home loans legal team make a huge mess up.A young Cape Town consumer received the shocking news that ABSA sold her house for only R1000. She bought the house just three years ago and borrowed an amount of R195 000 from ABSA to do so.This single mother has rightly said: “I’m financially ruined”. ABSA have, as is the norm in situations where they take legal action against a bond, now asked that she pay off the balance of the loan amount (less the R1000 but plus legal costs). In fact, they asked her to pay back the “the shortfall balance of R268 239.98“. The consumer can clearly not afford to do so. Her dream of owning her own home has now turned into an nightmare.The consumer has tried to talk to ABSA about the matter and has said “It’s impossible. It doesn’t make any sense for a house to the value of R195 000 to be sold for R1000,” Various parties, including the NewERA have become involved with publicizing this matter. They have said of this story that “Our banking system is out of control.”The sale in execution ordered by ABSA seems to have taken place a while ago and this consumers story has only recently come to

light.It just goes to show how lackadaisical the ABSA home loans legal team must be to allow such an incredibly stupid situation to develop. In what way does this help the bank get it’s money back?No doubt somebody is about to find themselves without a job and ABSA will have to do some fancy footwork to explain this sort of behavior away.

You can visit NewERA’s website at: http://www.newera.org.za/ or you can contact ABSA for a home loan via their website here: http://www.absa.co.za/Absacoza/

Debt Review vs Debt Mediation

Debt Review or Debt Mediation? Which way will you go?Debt Review as done by Debt Counsellors is naturally a form of debt mediation. The Debt Counsellor who is also seen by the National Credit Act (NCA) as an alternative dispute resolution agent (ADR) mediates between a consumer and a credit provider. In most cases this happens as part of the debt review process which leads to court and a debt restructuring court order from a magistrate. However a new (or rather should we say an old) form of debt mediation has reared it’s head recently as the National Debt Mediation Association (NDMA)

NEWS FLASHFor daily debt counselling news visit www.debtfreedigi.co.za

has tried to break out of it’s corner back into debt mediation. The NDMA has recently been identified as a credit provider representative body to resolve disputes that Debt Counsellors and consumers have with uncooperative creditors. It seems that while this new role has proved the usefulness of the NDMA to BASA (the Banking Association of South Africa) and it’s other members and has ‘kept it in the game’ the NDMA now want to get back into the arena they were first created for: debt mediation.Due to the fact that Debt Counsellors have been and are busy with debt mediation either through a voluntary or statuary process this has brought the NDMA into conflict with some Debt Counsellors.

Over the last few days theDCI (the Debt Counselling Industry) an online resource and forum for consumers and Debt Counsellors has spoken out about the possible conflict of interests that the NDMA face as a credit provider representative body. This was sparked off by the proposed Voluntary Debt Mediation program (VDMS) which the NDMA are trying to promote. Basically it is almost identical to voluntary debt review (which has not met with great success due to credit provider resistance over the last 5 years). The National Credit Regulator is nervous of the process and representatives from the National Credit Tribunal have said it (VDMS) appears to be an attempt by the banking association to avoid regulation (by the NCR). This is now being investigated by an external consulting firm. It is rumoured that the report from this external firm has come back to the NCR. The results have not as yet been published by the NCR. Some say that the report points to conflicts

with the National Credit Act and other Acts as well, however this remains to be seen. One source has told Debtfree that the NDMA intend to “go ahead with VDMS” even if the report is negative saying that they will “wait for the NCR to take legal action to stop them“. It is unclear if this is the case certainly there seems little benefit to fighting with the NCR. The NDMA have come out strongly in regard to comments made by Deborah Solomons of theDCI saying that her warning to consumers to weigh the motives of the NDMA’s proposed debt mediation and to consider if all consumer rights will be protected as effectively as when under debt review. The NDMA’s CEO Magauta Mphahlele has said that the claims are: ” flawed, baseless, malicious and misleading to both consumers and the public.”What is of interest. is that the leadership of the Debt Counsellors Association of South Africa (DCASA) have taken a pro VDMS stance. Recently DCASA released a newsletter that came out in full support of VDMS and stated that all members of the National Executive Committee of DCASA were in full support of the program. It is unclear how many actual members of the rank and file of DCASA support the program as many members are surprisingly uninformed about the system which sits poised to replace their normal way of doing business.The Alliance of Professional Debt Counsellors (AllProDC) has taken the opposite stance in regard to this matter.The NDMA hope that most slightly indebted consumers will be able to be helped through the VDMS system. Calculations as produced by the software which Debt Counsellors have been using called DCRS and which will be used in VDMS comes up with nice rearranged

NEWS CONT.

payment plans quite quickly for consumers who have between 70 and 80% of their actual debt obligation available. This means that a consumer can potentially get a 20% to 30% reduction in repayments through both Debt Review and voluntary debt mediation done with the DCRS program.This represents great relief for these consumers.Sadly the results using the DCRS system have fallen off to only half (53%) of the few matters been handled each month in this manner actually being finalised.The NDMA points to both creditors and debt counsellors not using the system correctly or following through to conclusion as the reason for this dramatic drop in success. What is clear is that while the rich or those with only unsecured credit can easily benefit from the DCRS system (that the NDMA manage) the poor and those with a mixture of secured and unsecured credit with low or fluctuating income, do not. These consumer’s proposals will have to continue to go to court for debt restructuring as creditors often simply wish to remove the consumers assets and repossess or sell them.For now the accusations fly back and forth and consumers are left wondering which to choose, debt review or debt mediation. They will have to wait on the NCR to speak out on the matter.

Repo Rate drops by 50 base points

In a surprise move, the Reserve Bank lowered the repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.0% during July 2012.This means that the prime rate is now at 8.5%.Gill Marcus, the Reserve Bank Governor, quoted reduced inflationary risks, and has dropped

interest rates in an attempt to boost the economy, given the developments in the euro zone and mentioned the worldwide slowdown in GDP growth as another motivational factor.“While very few commentators forecast a rate cut today‚ the announcement indicates the nature of the tightrope being walked by the Reserve Bank,” said FNB regarding the cut. This move should reduce pressure on troubled consumers who should perhaps use this opportunity to make inroads into their larger debts before the rate increases once more.

Debt stress leads consumer to terrible decision

It is sad when one hears stories about consumers not knowing how to deal with their debt: “Baby, I am so sorry. I owe many people some money and I don’t have that kind of cash to pay them.” Those are among the final words written by a 22-year-old women from the Diepsloot area. Her name, ironically, was Happiness Mbedzi. Shortly after writing these words she ended her own life. In the suicide note Mbedzi left behind for her partner, Ephraim Mudau, she went so far as to list all the people she owed funds to, alongside the amount of money she owed them. Her debts added up to only R3,320.During the week she borrowed money to go to a local store in Diepsloot to buy rat poison. A couple passing by, found her body later that same day, laying face down in the township’s extension 13. A suicide note was found next to her body together with the phone number for her relative. One of her relatives said the day before she died, people had come looking for Happiness to try collect some of the money

NEWS CONT.

she owed.One journalist stated that in the area where Happiness lived , “Debt is a big problem because we have such a huge unemployment rate,…In most cases, you will find young women selling their bodies to be prostitutes, while the young men resort to criminal activities,” …There is nowhere people can turn to for help if they are indebted,”.Like so many others, Happiness had resorted to borrowing money to make ends meet. There has been a recent unsecured lending boom in South Africa. Rajeen Devpruth, manager of statistics at the National Credit Regulator (NCR) said that ” the global housing market is dead, so credit providers are looking to other markets to make their money.” They are now heavily promoting unsecured credit loans. Another industry expert points to a sad truth “what consumers aren’t usually aware of is that a significant amount of money goes into the cost of the loan. Unfortunately consumers mostly look at the cost of the installment or repayment, and not the entire cost of credit and generally don’t shop around for credit …people who borrow money at this rate don’t understand that this cost of borrowing isn’t sustainable,”…In Diepsloot, around 2 out of every 3 young people are unemployed. Some say that this makes a small unsecured loan at a local bank look like a good idea for residents who just want to make ends meet. But steep interest rates make it virtually impossible for many of these consumers to ever pay the loan back. This means these loans are actually recklessly granted. Proving this allegation however could cost several thousand rand at court. Something that these consumers cannot afford to attempt to prove, even if they wanted

to. Desperate consumers often underestimate their living costs and some credit providers might turn a blind eye to inconsistencies in loan applications.Sadly many consumers like Happiness don’t know where or how to get help. “If I had told u the truth, u were going to be angry with me-so I decided to kill myself,” Happiness wrote in her suicide note, before saying she didn’t know of anyone who could help her with her debt problem.What a tragedy that Happiness was unable to go for debt counselling, since the NCR have recently engaged in educational drives about debt review in the area.Is Debt Review available to all?Even if she had gone looking for help, a sad truth is that she may have struggled to find a Debt Counsellor to help her. After all, there are still very few of these professionals in South Africa. Only around 500 practice in South Africa at the moment. Many Debt Counsellors have quit the industry due to pressure from credit providers against the industry, as well as the stress of the heavy workload. Another factor is that at the moment the revenue/fee structure for debt counselling make consumers, like Happiness, unprofitable and thus undesirable to some Debt Counsellors. Then too with some unscrupulous credit providers pressurizing consumers even after they have entered debt review (instead of acting in good faith in the process) consumers might still be pushed to extremes.If you face debt stress, seek help at once. Don’t hide your debt and the stress it is causing you. Tell someone. They say a problem shared is a problem halved. Debt Review can help consumers to settle their debts over time and Debt Counsellors can help consumers create

NEWS CONT.

better household budgets.Visit sites like www.thedci.co.za or read the service directory in Debtfree DIGI each month. Most Debt Counsellors do not even charge the NCA allowed fee of R50 to make an appointment. Get help today!

NCR critisize Equillore regarding ADR

The National Credit Regulator (NCR) have spoken out against Debt Counsellors using outsourced alternative dispute resolution agents.

They feel this is the Debt Counsellors job themselves, and should not be handed to another party. They particularly have picked on the company Equillore who have been offering Debt Counsellors this service helping them sort out issues with credit providers.

The NCR circular on the subject stated:ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTIONThis circular is intended to advise all debt counsellors on the practice that the NCR has observedwith regards to alternative dispute resolution agents.

A company called Equillore which conducts alternative dispute resolution is planning to mediate on debt counselling matters where consent is not reached with credit providers. They allege to have agreement with some debt counsellors who, instead of referring debt counselling matters to court, will refer such cases to them for mediation until credit providers consent.

Debt counsellors’ attention is drawn to the following conditions of registration:

Condition A(2): “The Debt Counsellor must perform debt counselling in a manner that is consistent with the purpose and requirements of the Act. The Debt Counsellor must in all instances act professionally and reasonably in providing debt counselling services to consumers and provide such services in a manner that is timely, fair, non-discriminatory and does not bring the NCR or debtcounselling into disrepute.”

Condition A(5): “The Debt Counsellor must not engage in any activity which could be in conflict with the interest of the consumers to whom debt counselling services are provided, or which may lead to such conflict. The Debt Counsellor should not enter into any agreements or engage in any activity which may prevent him or her from acting in the best interest of the consumers to whom debt counselling services are provided.”

The National Credit Regulator views the intervention by Equillore and any other ADR agents to be undermining and detrimental to the debt counselling process and advise all debt counsellors to refrain from engaging and participating in these activities.

Workshop and Conference for Debt Counsellors in August The Alliance of Professional Debt Counsellors (AllProDC) is hosting a series of provincial workshops for Debt Counsellors about issues they face in regard to debt review.Members and non members alike are invited

NEWS CONT.

to attend.Here are the details: AllProDC would like to invite you to a workshop:Date: 23 August 2012Time: 9:30 for 10:00 till 15:00Place: Parow Golf ClubCost: R150 which will include, tea/coffee and a lunchSubject: Focus on problems you as a DC experience before and after a court order has been granted. This will be in the form of a discussion and all dc’s will be encouraged to participate in the discussion.Looking forward to seeing you there.

If you wish to attend you can email AllProDC at: secretary@allprodc.org

You can’t help but notice that the AllProDC workshop will be held the day after the Debt Counsellors Association of South Africa (DCASA) conference which will be held in Kempton Park on the 22nd of August 2012.The Guest Speakers at the DCASA conference are: • Judge Monus Flemming – Judicial view of the NCA• Mike Schussler – Unpacking the Economy for Debt Counsellors• Frans Haupt – Possible amendments to the National Credit Act.• Caroline Smith – Demonstration of the Switch that will be implemented in September• Magauta Mphahlele - Voluntary Debt Mediation System (should be interesting what she can or can’t say)• Paul Slot – The future of Debt Counselling : tying everything together.

Cost to attend the Conference:DCASA members: FreeStaff of DCASA members: R200Non-members: R350

Debt Counsellor sues consumer for defamation

Debt Counsellor Deborah Solomons was present at court in Bellville Cape Town Magistrates Court on Thursday 02 August in order to sue a consumer for saying defamatory things about her. It seems that the consumer...lets call him Steven B* and her, have previously been to court back in 2011. In that action in 2011, it seems that Ms Solomon obtained a interdict against Steven B* to get him to stop saying nasty things about her. The Interdict states that she sought to have him “interdicted and restrained with immediate effect, from unlawfully defaming and infringing upon the good name, dignitos and fama of the applicant (Deborah) to any and all third parties, by accusing her of theft and fraudulent acts in her capacity as a debt counsellor“. It further stated that he was to be interdicted from ...”unlawfully threatening and intimidating the applicant and her employees“. In that matter it seems that Steven B had to pay costs. The consumer has publicly stated in regard to another matter which has raised him to international fame, ”when i start something, whatever i do, i give it 100%“. It seems this might not be the case in regard to debt review matters however. It seems the consumer was placed under debt review for a brief period of only 2 months before the Debt Counsellor issued a 17.4 (kick you out of debt review)

letter due to non-payment. It seems that the consumer later once again entered debt review with Ms Solomon briefly, about a year later, which is when things went sour leading to the interdict.Because of the conditions of the settlement agreement reached last week Ms Solomons was unable to comment on details, Debtfree DIGI has determined that an out of court settlement was agreed upon “without prejudice” between herself and Mr Steven B.It is an interesting case, as it shows other Debt Counsellors should not take bad publicity sitting down. Debt Counsellors often find that they receive the best clients via referrals from existing clients. if a good story spreads quickly, then a bad one will do so twice as fast. It is thus important to take prompt action when a consumer begins to talk negatively about them. Debt Counsellors obviously want to address any legitimate concerns that consumers may have, but should not be shy to take legal action if necessary if they feel they are being maligned of defamed.*Consumer’s name has been changed a bit

Over 2000 Debt Review consumers complain about harassment from banks

The consumer petition: Stop banks acting in bad faith has come to a close. It seems that over 2000 consumers feel they have been harassed by the banks while under debt review. The actual number is undoubtedly higher, however this petition did not receive support from the Debt Counsellors Association of South Africa ( DCASA) nor from the Alliance of Professional Debt Counsellors (AllProDC) so

the number (though high - representing about 1/3rd of all the people applying for debt review in a single month) may therefore only represent those DC’s and some consumers who are not closely affiliated with these organizations. DCASA stated that they did not want to support the petition and thus upset their good working relationship with the Banking Association of South Africa members (BASA). They feel that matters should be dealt with on a case by case basis, not in bulk. AllProDC were seemingly a bit preoccupied with their growth as an organization during the petition and could not give it too much attention. At present, they are trying to get all their members to sign their Code of Conduct as a priority.Sadly many consumers who are under debt review are seemingly discriminated against.[ED- See Debt Vader’s Article this month] Often these consumers face a higher level of collection pressure than other consumers. They are litigated against faster and if you take the time to read the many comments by those who joined the petition you can really feel their pain and frustration.

What the NDMA can’t do for you

The NDMA or National Debt Mediation Association – which is a credit provider representative body- have been trying to assist consumers to deal with problems that arise with their debt review (the NDMA also do debt mediation as well). They run a call center that consumers and Debt Counsellors can call.

NEWS CONT.

In many cases the NDMA have been able to assist consumers to get creditors to stop harassing them or trying to kick them out of debt review among other problems.Each month the NDMA get about 130 complaints from consumers.Out of these, about 15 complaints are about creditors sending consumers summonses.Around 26 of those monthly complaints are about creditors who decide they don’t want to cooperate with the consumers debt review and want to “terminate” them. (No, not kill them – just hand the consumer back to their Collections department)Another 26 complaints are about creditors repossessing cars.Then there were other complaints about all sorts of things. While in regard to most types of complaints the NDMA helped half the consumers to sort out their problems in regard to Car Repossessions most of the matters were not resolved in favor of the consumer. The NDMA say this is because ”Car repossessions were mostly unfavourable due to the credit provider having the right of termination of repossession and the consumer not being able to meet the conditions for reinstatement due to lack of affordability or the credit provider having concluded litigation and in a process of auctioning the assets to recover monies.”So it seems that if legal action has happened then it is of little value to complain to the NDMA. They also say that “The status of these accounts makes it difficult for the NDMA to negotiate reinstatement, hence the importance of consumers seeking assistance early.”Basically the NDMA can help with many smaller, simple matters but once legal action has commenced in regard to a car repossession

they are mostly not able to assist consumers all that often.This does not mean that consumers should not complain just that they should be realistic in asking a Credit Provider representative body to stop credit providers (mostly the banks in the case of vehicles) doing whatever they want. To find out more about the NDMA head over to: http://www.ndma.org.za/

NewERA sue the “Greedy Monsters”

The Sheriff of the Court has just served the four major banks, and the Reserve Bank, with a summons from the New Economic Rights Alliance: Case number 27478/12.Simply put, the NewERA is asking the High Court to declare our money lending system fraudulent and unconstitutional. We are not suing for money. Alternatively, we are asking the Court to suspend all legal action currently taken against every South African by the banks, until a full investigation has been undertaken into our banking system.Here is what they say about their legal action: “It may be bold. It may be daring. But it is 100% correct. The banks are doing some terrible things behind our backs and two years of research by dozens of people around the country, working in their spare time and for no money, has culminated in this action. It is a miracle that we made it this far. We are very proud.”What can you do about it?Take an interest in our money system. Understand WHY we are taking action against the banks. Download and watch “The Dark

NEWS CONT.

Secrets of Money” here (or watch it on YouTube here). We cannot stress this enough – for the sake of your family’s future, you need to know how the money system works. The legal document is attached, but it is complicated, so commentary will be available soon to help you understand it.Follow and comment on the case at www.thebigcase.co.za. Become a paying member here or donate a small amount to our cause.

The banking system is a greedy monster that is coming to eat us. Only we, the people, can stop it.THE NEW ECONOMIC RIGHTS ALLIANCE

Return of the Jedi - Retraction:In the July 2012 issue of Debtfree our correspondent, Sith Lord of Debt Review Debt Vader, made some colourful comments about Paul Slot, Andre Synman and Luke Hirst. Debtfree was able to do some digging and was able to determine that neither Luke nor Andre have been directly involved in the implementation of the VDMS pilot project in which Debt Busters and Consumer Assist were lined up to participate in (before the NCR put it on hold). Also Debt Vader, in typical Sith Lord style, was nasty in saying that these three experienced Debt Counsellors and businessmen will “agree to anything to further their own interests”. We apologise if the “dark side” of these comments offended anyone.

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DEBT VADER

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VAT MAN

debtstar

Mail your comments to Debt Vader on debtvader@debtfreedigi.co.za

DEBT VADERAmandla! Awetu!

CONSUMER

Loosely translated means “Power! To us! Amandla, Awetu! signified the call to equality and the fight against discrimination during the apartheid years. It seems South Africans have obtained that freedom only to promptly sell ourselves into slavery to the Banks. The Banks quickly swooped into what they described as a new market segment, the “previously disadvantaged” and sold them everything from credit cards and personal loans to mortgage bonds and asset finance. Why? Because it was an easy sale! Now years later, the cat’s out the bag on unsecured lending and the effects that servicing these loans have on the average household are evident.

The DTI thought the answer was the NCA, which was intended to help the lower and middle income groups re-establish financial stability but which has instead labeled these well meaning consumers further. Consumer’s who enter the debt review system often face unimaginable discrimination by the judiciary, banks and even their own employers and real estate agents!!!

The judicial system discriminates against persons under debt review, because they see debt review as the consumer’s ‘last chance’ at rehabilitation. When a consumer is not in the debt review system and he defaults on a car payment, the bank calls him up and they arrange a double payment at the end of the

next month. If he defaults again, he may even be given a second opportunity to correct the default and finally he will be issued with a Notice in terms of S129 informing him of his default, demanding payment and informing him that legal process is imminent. Some consumers can go for months and months without any action taken against them. Consumer’s under debt re-arrangement orders are not afforded the same courtesy. Should a debt review consumer default on even one debt review payment to a credit provider they immediately move to enforcement proceedings.

If a person has entered the debt review process but no debt re-arrangement court order is yet obtained, the credit provider will issue a S86(10) termination letter letting the consumer and the debt counsellor know that legal action is imminent. If a mistake has been made there is still time to rectify it before the matter reaches the courts and the consumer has to incurs huge legal costs.

However, once a consumer has obtained a debt re-arrangement order, no notice is required in terms of S88, thus the first time a consumer or his debt counsellor become aware of a ‘supposed’ default is when the Sheriff of the Court serves him a summons. More often then not, these terminations (that then result in a summons) are incorrect or premature from the creditors side and there is a reasonable explanation for

any perceived default. Consumers who are under debt re-arrangement orders are not even given an opportunity to correct these mistakes and thus have to incur legal costs to defend the matter in court.

S66(1) of the NCA speaks to the protection of consumer rights: “a credit provider must not, in response to a consumer exercising, asserting or seeking to uphold any right set out in this Act ….. a) discriminate directly or indirectly against the consumer, compared to the credit providers treatment of any other consumer who has not exercised, asserted or sought to uphold such right. b) penalize the consumer.c) alter or propose to alter the terms or conditions of a credit agreement with the consumer, to the detriment of the consumer; ord) take any action to accelerate, enforce, suspend or terminate a credit agreement with a consumer.

So here’s the question: The judiciary has gone on record stating that no notice is required in terms of S88. How does the judiciary and the banks explain their treatment of consumers under S88(3) of the NCA?

The banks have also discovered that Applications for Summary Judgments scare already anxious consumers into promising higher installments outside of the debt re-arrangement orders and this works well because if the consumer successfully opposes an Application for Summary Judgment, he gets leave to defend and the only cost order that can be made is that the costs of the Summary

Judgment Application will be decided once the trial has been decided. The banks have no intention of going to trial so the consumer has to pay his attorneys and advocates. This amounts to thousands of Rands which the banks know they do not have.Being under debt review can also place a stigma on consumers seeking a means to responsibly manage their finances. Applying for a new job can be a nightmare, because uninformed potential employer’s who do credit checks see the person is under debt review and might view them as risky employees. Incorrectly thinking they are more likely to steal or that they will take more leave days to sort out their financial issues and ultimately that they will be less productive employees. Real estate agents are somewhat more circumspect in their discrimination against persons under debt review. Imagine the situation where a consumer loses his home and now needs to rent. Often estate agents will not rent a home to them because they also do credit checks and once they discover that a consumer is under ‘debt review’ the premises is suddenly no longer on the market. “Sorry”!This kind of discrimination reeks of the old South Africa. Unfair legal process? Can’t live were you want? Can’t get the job you are qualified for? Is this perhaps the new era of “banking apartheid” ?

CONSUMER

There are two certainties in life, as the common saying goes, Death and Taxes.

One of the forms of taxes many are obligated to register for is VAT. However, due to the current economic climate that is hovering over us, we may find ourselves in a position where we do not have enough physical hard cash to cover our VAT bill.

Is the any relief for such person (or companies) who are unable to settle their VAT bill immediately as it becomes due? SARS has provided for such cases, but be warned, it comes at a cost. Let’s explore this a bit.

Who qualifies for the VAT deferral of payment?The answer is basically any person (both Individuals and/or companies) who has registered as a VAT vendor and has a VAT number.

How does it work?

There are 2 groups SARS splits this into:1. Those who owe more than R50,0002. Those who owe less than R50,000

If you owe more than R50,000, SARS will extend 2 options to you.a. You can repay the debt over 3 monthsb. You can repay the debt over 6 months.

If you owe less than R50,000 then SARS will only grant you a 3 month deferral period.

How does one apply for a VAT deferral?Again, the split applies:If you owe less than R50,000; you can call the SARS Call centre (0800 00 7277), and you can arrange the deferral while you are on the line with the call centre agent.If you owe more than R50,000; you will need to go into a SARS branch, and arrange with one of the VAT consultants to grant you a deferral plan.

What does this cost?Quite simply, it is not cheap to defer payments.SARS will charge you a 10% penalty, as well as an interest amount of 8.5% pa pro-rata over your deferral payment.

For example:I owe R65,000 in VAT that I would like to defer over 6 months. How much will I end up paying?VAT: R65,00010% penalty: R6,5008.5% *R65,000*6/12 = R2,763= R74,263 / 6 Months = R 12 377 per month for 6 months.

Therefore at the end of the day, I will land up paying R9, 263 more than I would have had I not chosen to defer.

Therefore, if you can, strive to pay your VAT bill on time, every time. It will save you a lot of money at the end of the day.

DEATH & TAXESI am VATm

an

As the Debt Counselling industry itself has gone thorough changes so to have those companies who offer debt review related services. With many companies coming and going over the years, consumers are looking for stable, long lasting brands that can meet their needs.

In 2012 the DCM Group and its subsidiary brands have gone through a metamorphosis, the outcome of which is a fresh new look and feel. New branding accompanies this new perspective.

While in the past DCM has offered services under a variety of brands it seems that DCM’s acquisition of several different brands resulted in an organisation that was presenting a myriad images and messages to the various target markets which it services. As a result, some consumers where not aware of the range of services which DCM could offer or were confused about who owned these brands.

The new branding brings all these various brands under one recognisable parent company, namely DCM. The individual brands and logos have now been incorporated into the DCM Group of Companies with DCM Group as the lead brand.

This means that DCM Consumer Assist, DCM Care Premier and DCM Corporate are now sub-brands; and that the NPDA is being the endorsement brand for the whole Group.

When describing the ongoing changes in the industry and the performance of the various DCM brands Anton Viljoen CEO of the DCM Group says: “ We look forward to many more exciting times in the years ahead...the DCM Group will grow from strength to strength”

DCM are moving forward and are now positioned for even greater growth and success.

The DCM Group get a fresh new look

www.dcmgroup.co.za/brands

Dealing with large corporations can sometimes be frustrating. Putting a face to the department you are dealing with certainly helps build our confidence and a better relationship with them. This month Debtfree DIGI got the chance to speak to the head of one of SA’s largest Debt Review departments: Mpho Thekiso at FNB Debt Review.

We got to ask her a few questions:

Df: Tell us a little about your work background?

When I first started working, I was employed as a Rural Sociologist in the Department of Rural Development within the Lesotho Government. I left Lesotho to pursue a career in consumer protection in South Africa. After five years I deviated from ‘consumerism’ and dedicated my time to advocacy against gender based violence.

Df: When did you get into the credit industry and debt review?

I joined the National Credit Regulator as a Debt

MPHO THEKISO

Counselling Project Manager back in 2003. I was part of the team that piloted debt counselling in South Africa between 2003 and 2006, prior to the implementation of the National Credit Act in 2007.

Df: Wow, that sure is something! So you were there right from the beginning. You don’t work for the NCR any longer though...

True, I left the NCR at the end of January 2010 to become part of the Debt Review Centre at First National Bank in February the same year. I am still in the employ of FNB as Head of Debt Review Centre.

I now have a perspective of both worlds, as a consumer advocate and a credit provider. I have realized that credit providers and debt counsellors are sadly not on the same page on a number of issues, especially relating to the macro economics of debt review. This is the biggest challenge. The second biggest challenge is communication. We are not communicating as much as we should. We need to bridge that gap.

Df: What’s happening @ FNB debt review at the moment?

Our number one priority is to provide awesome service to Debt Counsellors and our customers from the beginning of the process to the end. This is not negotiable. We want to get closer to debt counsellors than ever before, to get to understand each other better and have a common goal – to bring back the culture of repayments and bring relief to debt stressed consumers. We have Open Days where debt

counsellors come to visit our office and we have a round table discussion on debt review and related matters as well as address their issues of concern. Going forward these will be more structured and topical. We believe that face to face discussion is better than e-mails and telephone discussions.

Df: What lies ahead for FNB Debt Review and the industry as a whole?

As the industry mellows, in my opinion, there should be specialization in counselling in various areas. For example, there should be debt counsellors specializing in mortgage counselling and others in counselling for the self-employed consumers, etc. Currently the self-employed are not treated differently from the salaried consumers, the same debt review formula is applied to both. The reality is that at credit granting stage, the criteria applied to assess their application is different. Therefore the debt review formula must also be different, after all debt is the flip side of credit. Mortgage-stressed consumers on the other hand need specialized intensive care. They need specialized debt counsellors. I foresee an improved cooperation and collaboration between debt counsellors and credit providers. We have already overcome so many obstacles.

From FNB, we are planning to extend our services to debt counsellors and consumers to add a human touch to the current processes and to live by our motto “How can we help you?”

PO Box 102405

Moreleta Plaza, 0167

South Africa

Tel: 082 515 1496

Fax: 086 558 2311

Email: admin@newera.org.za

24 July 2012

Dear Debt Counsellor

We are a non-profit organisation, duly registered in South Africa with 115,000 supporters. Like you,

the tolerance levels of our Members has reached boiling point with the banks.

As such, The New Economic Rights Alliance has filed an action against Standard Bank, Nedbank,

First National Bank, ABSA and the South African Reserve Bank under case number 27478/2012 in the

South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg. Details and documentation can be found at

www.thebigcase.co.za.

The aforesaid action is brought in terms of Section 172 of the Constitution where, inter alia, we will be

seeking the Honourable Court’s determination on the legality and constitutionality of three trade

methodologies that form the cornerstone of modern banking:

1) The ‘fractional reserve’ system;

2) The widespread practice of securitisation;

3) Seignorage

As per our previous letter, we have decided to proceed with the establishment of a Debt Counsellors

Union (DCU) that fits under the banner of the NewERA. This will be a completely independent union

for debt counsellors run by debt counsellors. The banks are formidable force. However, if we unite and

leverage off each other’s strengths, it will significantly increase our changes of bringing transparency

to banking.

To join the DCU, please visit the link below.

http://micro2.majesticinteractive.co.za/bf.php?fid=1197

We look forward to creating a united force!

Kind regards,

THE NEW ECONOMIC RIGHTS ALLIANCE

www.newera.org.za

If you are a car owner you no doubt see them as a mixed blessing. True, you have to cough up big bucks on services and tyres to keep the thing on the road but it sure is convenient and like many others it probably is helping you earn money as well. Head down to the petrol station and you can find yourself staring at the total figure digits on the pump spinning as fast as your head. Ouch!

We look at a few tips to save you a few bucks when on the road.

TIP ONE: Don’t speed. If you speed you will get caught. If you get caught you will have to pay fines that you can little afford. If you don’t pay your fines...well, lets say you don’t want to do that or the next time you are pulled over you might be walking home. Driving faster increases the wind resistance on your vehicle and at higher speeds it requires higher expenditure of fuel to cover distances. Most fuel economy tests are conducted at low speeds. So when the sales person told you your car would get 15 km to the litre they meant driving at a measured pace.

TIP TWO: after starting up your engine there is no need to let the car idle for a long time.

Maybe once upon a time you had to do this but not with the cars on the market today. Give the engine a moment or two and then head off.

TIP THREE: Try to drive at an even pace. Avoid speeding up and then slowing down repeatedly. To do so, keep an eye on the traffic up ahead and anticipate what is going to happen. If you can get into the top gear and cruise, do so. When driving in town try not to race from traffic light to traffic light. You can normally only go as fast as the person in front of you anyway. You are not the star of “need for speed - drag racer”.

Tip Four: Stay off your cell phone. When talking on your phone you are distracted, which can lead to you speeding (see point one) or driving at an uneven pace (see point three). It can also lead to accidents. Do you have enough saved up to cover the cost of an accident? What if you were to get hurt and could not work for a few months? What if you hurt someone?

If you have money saving tips you would like to share with others email us on: tips@debtfreedigi.co.za

NEED TO NOT SPEED

CONSUMER

DEBT COUNSELLING

AA Debt Counselling CentreAnthea JohannesNCRDC531Tel: +27 (0) 21 982 0522Cell: +27 (0) 84 402 7032

Alan Watts NCRDC 962NCR registered Debt Counsellor Tel: 084 4448439 Fax: 086 6501954alan@active-debt-counselling.co.zawww.active-debt-counselling.co.za

Central SA Debt Counsellors082 950 7806Fax: 086 563 1621

Consumer AssistJohann VermeulenTel: 0861 628 628

Credit Matters021 431 9100info@creditmatters.co.za

CS Debt CounsellingBernidene Smith NCRDC 764057 352 4115/352 5000Welkom - Free state

Darran ManikamNCRDC704debt@mailbox.co.za

Debtbusters0861 663 328 (NO DEBT)

Debt BudgetTel: 021 824 8885

Debt Solve Debt CounsellorsOffice: 033 397 0945

DEBTINCNCRDC’s 1071, 1188, 1189.Tel: (022) 713-2021Fax: (022) 713-2028Share Call: 0861 20 21 20E-mail: Info@debtinclusive.co.zaWebsite: www.debtinclusive.co.zaSMS: HELP to 35075

DebtSafe0861 100 999

Debt SeriousWe are serious about debtVida Scheepers NCRDC1792Po box 394, Garsfontein, Pretoria 0042Fax no: 086 553 9403vscheepers@mweb.co.za

Debt RehabColleen Van Wyk(BCom, LLB)Debt Counsellor NCRDC2619Tel: 083 290 0848Tel: 011 740 7374Fax: 086 716 9694Website: http://debtrehab.co.za

Debt eezyYour Debt Solution made EasyAshley Carstens NCRDC858 Tel: 021 839 2809 Fax: 083 512 4160 / 086 665 9125 Email: debt.eezy@gmail.comWebsite: www.thedci.co.za

Debt RescueNeil RoetsNCR DC 474Cell: 083 644 7406Tel: 0861 800 009Fax: 086 523 0617E-mail: admin@debtrescue.co.zawww.debtrescue.co.za

Debt Management & Counseling Services“The greatest glory in livinglies not in never falling,but in rising every time we fall.” - Nelson MandelaDerry Burge NCRDC108140 Irene Avenue, La Concorde,Somerset West, 7130 Tel: 021 855 5997 Cell: 074 177 5375 Fax: 021 855 1195 or 0865413200E-mail: dburge@telkomsa.net

Durban Debt Counselling ServicesSuite 112, 1st floor Union Club Building353 Sm ith StreetDurban, 4001Tel: 031 301-7893Fax: 031 301-5809phumla.ngema@telkomsa.net

SERVICE DIRECTORY

SERVICE DIRECTORYDebt Counselling South AfricaCape Town BranchTel: 021 919 66 94Rod De WittNCRDC831Visit: www.debtcounsellingsa.co.za Fincorp debt Counsellors ccCecilia Zwarts fincorpdc@yahoo.com

Holistic Debt Counsellorsinfo@holisticdc.co.zaHelpdesk Debt CounsellorsAllan HoffmanTel: 0861 000 754

Help-U-Debt (Vaal Triangle) WanineTel: 082 445 3967

Help-U-Debt (Potchefstroom)Madra083 390 3275

Help-U-Debt (Parys)Marilouise082 920 6249

Help-U-Debt (Vanderbijlpark)Herma083 320 8303

Incentive Debt Counselling“Paving the way to a Debt Free Tommorrow”Darran Manikam NCRDC704Tel: (031) 409 9379Fax: (031) 409 1327Cell: 0845898286Branches: Phoenix and Shallcross

Indigo debt counsellors CCTel: 087 808 9734

Fax: 086 580 8675 indigodc@iburst.co.za

MG Consulting Strand - Helderberg AreaTelkom : 021 853 4537 Mobile Phone: 082 450 7459Fax Number: 0866 220 690E-Mail: info@mgconsultingwww.mgconsulting.co.za

NDA Debt CounsellorsYour Trusted Debt CounsellorsGary Williams (NCRDC 143)Tel: 034 315 3880 Fax: 086 612 4112gary@ndad.co.za www.ndad.co.za

Rihanyo Debt Counselling(012) 804 50 57

Think Green Debt CounsellingSandi Pauwsandipauw@mweb.co.zaTel : 012 991 6638Cell : 082 460 7800Fax : 086 219 2615

U-Win Debt CounsellorsCoreli Roos - NCR DC 509Aliwal North, Burgersdorp, Bethulie, GariepDam, Smithfield, SpringfonteinCell:079 626 66241croos@global.co.za

Zuné Coetzer Debt CounsellorsNCRDC 159924 van der Stel Street, Dan PienaarBloemfonteinTel: 051-4364515Fax: 086 5870 845Email: zunecoetzer1@gmail.com

DEBT RESTRUCTURING SERVICES

BORDER REGION:

DRS BEACON BAYJohan PretoriusCell: 082 324 4038Office: 043 748 1139

DRS BUFFALO CITYHerman MariasCell: 082 378 3743Office: 043 7210652

DRS KING WILLIAMS TOWNHerman MaraisCell: 082 378 3743Email: herman@drssa.co.za

DRS CRADOCKOffice: 043 721 0652

DRS QUEENSTOWNHerman Marais Cell: 082 378 3743 Email: herman@drssa.co.za

DRS MTHATHAHerman Marais Cell: 082 378 3743 Email: herman@drssa.co.za

EASTERN CAPE:

DRS ALBANYOffice: 041 373 9693Email: dcfull@drssa.co.za

DRS ALGOAMarius WeyersCell: 083 497 3219Email: marius@drssa.co.za

DRS BOND CHOICEAndrea AtkinsonOffice: 041 393 7000Email: andrea.atkinson@drssa.co.za

DRS CENTRAL EXPRESSDerryn FishOffice: 041 373 9693586 2020Email: derrynfish@drssa.co.za

DRS DESPATCHIsabe LandmanCell: 072 337 3328Office: 041 933 1189Email: isabe@drssa.co.zaDRS HUMANSDORPMorne SteynCell: 083 298 8182Office: 042 291 0135Email: Morne@drssa.co.za

DRS NKONKOBE (Fort Beaufort)Bernadine von der DeckenCell: 083 2859289Office: 046 645 1898Email: bernadine@drssa.co.za

DRS KIRKWOODKeith Le RouxCell: 073 207 1675Office: 041 451 0474Email: keith@drssa.co.za

DRS PORT ELIZABETHDerryn FishCell: 084 515 6135Office: 041 453 8961Email: derryn@drssa.co.za

DRS SIDWELL EXPRESSKeith Le RouxCell: 073 207 1675Office: 041 451 0474Email: Keith@drssa.co.za

DRS SOMMERSET EASTLuther De BruynCell: 082 568 2970Office: 042 243 1107Email: luther@drssa.co.za

DRS UTENHAGELynn LindoorCell: 083 7174 183Email: Lynnl@drssa.co.za

FREESTATE:

DRS GOLDFIELDS (Welkom)Irvin Billy (Derryn Fish)Cell: 072 114 4427Office: 081 319 0083Email: Billy@drssa.co.za

DRS MANGAUNGAmanda JohnsonOffice: 041 373 9693Email: dcfull@drssa.co.za

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

DRS SOUTH FREESTATENelmarie De langeCell: 079 236 3615Office: 053 591 0734Email: nelmarie@drssa.co.za

GARDEN ROUTE:

DRS DE AARVeronique Louw (Derryn Fish)Cell: 076 382 2020Office: 053 631 1189

SERVICE DIRECTORY

SERVICE DIRECTORYEmail: deaar1@drssa.co.za DRS GEORGEFrancois Van ZylCell: 079 522 1930Office: 044 874 2820Email: francoisv@drssa.co.zaDRS EDEN (Hartenbos)Bruno MertschTel: 042 291 1083/4Email: brunom@drssa.co.za

GAUTENG:

DRS CENTURION EXPRESSAmanda JohnonOffice: 041 373 9693Email: dcfull@drssa.co.za

DRS LYNNWOODJunique JuliusOffice: 012 807 4339Email: lynnwood1@drssa.co.za

DRS PRETORIA EXPRESSBen VermeulenCell: 082 442 8654Office: 012 331 2145Email: bverm@lantic.net

DRS PRETORIA NOORDOffice: 041 373 9693Email: dcfull@drssa.co.za

DRS ROODEPOORT EXPRESSDerryn FishOffice: 041 373 9693Email: dcexpress@drssa.co.za

DRS RUSTENBURG Amanda JohnsonOffice: 041 373 9693Email: dcfull@drssa.co.za

KWA ZULU NATAL:

DRS GREYVILLEVyas JuggernathCell: 083 206 0300Office: 031 309 8716Email: vyas@drssa.co.za

DRS KOKSTAD Melanie LouwrensCell: 083 269 0424Office: 039 727 1430Email: melanie@drssa.co.za

DRS MORNINGSIDE DURBANErica Mtshali (Amanda Johnson)Cell: 076 578 8660 Office: 031 301 5990email ericah@drssa.co.za

DRS PHOENIXVyas JuggernathCell: 083 206 0300Office: 031 309 8716Email: vyas@drssa.co.za

DRS PIETERMARITZBURGSanele ZuluCell: 083 543 3487Office: 033 394 8319Email: sanele@drssa.co.za

WESTERN CAPE:

DRS BELLVILLEPatricia BekkerOffice: 021 948 8523 / 4Email: patricia@drssa.co.za

DRS DIAMONDClive PalmerOffice: 021 421 8563Email: clive@drssa.co.za

DRS TYGERBERGCraig LakeyCell: 082 627 0957Office: 021 945 4062Email: craiglakey@drssa.co.za

DRS WEST COASTMarius CoetzeeCell: 082 978 4407Office: 022 713 3766Email mariusc@drssa.co.za

DRS SALDANHAMarius CoetzeeOffice: 022 713 3766Email: mariusc@drssa.co.za

DRS SOLUTIONSChristelle de VilliersCell: 084 586 5600Email: cdv@vodamail.co.za

SERVICE DIRECTORYSUPPORT SERVICES

Staff Line Ndizani Executive RecruitmentCell no: 083 3028163Direct Line: (011) 468 - 2150E- Mail: saki@staffline.co.za

Information resources & serviceswww.thedci.co.za

DesigntimesSouth Africa’s creative resourcewww.designtimes.co.za

TRAINING

Compuscan Academy 0861 51 41 31www.compuscanacademy.co.za

You & Your MoneyWestern Cape: NCR Debt Counsellor Training: For a Cutting Edge Course with practical input contact: You & Your MoneyDawn JacksonDawnjackson.training@telkomsa.netCell: 072 1769789(021) 761 3287

FINANCIAL

ABSA Customer Debt Repair Line0861 005 901

Credit Ombudsman0861 662837

Experian011 799-3400 debtcounsel@experian.co.za

Eric StresoFinancial PlannerB Juris LL B CFP MBATel: 0833273358Fax: 086 612 7912

Fair Debt0829019788 or 012-3772558ray@fairdebt.co.za

PACFIN Financial Solutions Head OfficeTel: +27 11 9757445Fax: 086536878336 Van Riebeeck roadKempton Park 1619pieter@pacfin.co.zaMonte Carlo BuildingNo 8 VoortrekkerstreetKempton Park 1619

Kempton ParkContact: Reyno CoetzeeTel: +27 11 3945363Fax: 0866048002Cell: +27 73 3690884kemptonpark@pacfin.co.zaBoksburg / GermistonContact: Armand PosthumusTel: +27 11 8921911Fax: 0865620378

NelspruitContact: Ann BakerTel: +27 13 7415559Fax: 0880 1374 15559Cell: +27 82 9024236jeleroux@telkomsa.net

SpringsContact: Wynand MclachlanTel: +27 11 8113728Fax: +27 11 8113728Cell: +27 83 2754014/5wynmc@telkomsa.net

Gooseberry Business AdvisoryTel: 012 644 0589

NedbankDebt Rehabilitation & Recoveries Services0860 109 279

STD BankDebt review HelplineTelephone: 0861 111 402 TransUnion0861 482 482

ThinkmoneyFinancial comparison websiteContact: Gareth MountainTel: 079 0996 798www.thinkmoney.co.za

WIZARD Vereeniging Making Mortgage MagicWanine SmitTel:+27 16 454 1132Fax:+27 86 686 3678 Cell:+27 82 445 3967 www.wizard.za.com

FINANCIAL PLANNING Eric StresoFinancial PlannerB Juris LL B CFP MBATel: 0833273358Fax: 086 612 7912

SERVICE DIRECTORYLEGAL

Karen van Staden Tel: 012 998 9117 / 012 993 2132Fax: 086 721 6467 / 086 662 1153Email: karen@hauptearle.co.zaoffice@hauptearle.co.zawww.hauptearle.co.za

Scheepers AttorneysGerhard Scheepersschlaw@iburst.co.za

LUCID AttorneysTel: 011 880 1100Fax: 011 880 1101Email: info@lucidsa.comwww.lucidliving.co.za/attorney

Ludick Attorneysbev.ludickattorneys@gmail.com

Prinsloo & AssociatesAttorneys and conveyancersNanika Prinsloo Farm Bergamot, Paarl 7620P O Box 6199, Paarl 762014 Laing Street, Barrydale 6750Cell: 072-8558-106Fax: 086-623-5986nanika@vodamail.co.zawww.empowerlaw.co.za

RM Brown and Associates 601 Pier House, 13 -17 Heerengracht, Cape TownDocex 138 Cape Town t: 021 431 9127, f: 021 425 0875 e: lodea@rmbrown.co.za

Agiliti CCColleen Van Wyk(BCom, LLB)Tel: 083 290 0848Tel: 011 740 7374Fax: 086 716 9694Website: http://agiliti.co.za

CREDIT BUREAUS

Compuscan 0861 514 131www.compuscan.co.za

Computer Profile Bureau0861 28 7328www.c-p-b.co.zaExperianwww.experian.co.zaBusiness- 0861 63 60 70 Consumer- 0861 10 5665

Micro Lenders Credit Bureau 0861 28 7328 www.mlcb.co.za

TransUnion 0861 886 466www.transunion.co.za

XDS 0860 937 000 www.xds.co.za

EVENTS

DCASA CONFERNCE22 AugustThe theme of the DCASA Conference is tomorrow-today and Debt Counsellors who want to understand the impact of the future on their business can expect to leave the Conference well informed.

Judge Flemming will unpack the NCA as only he can, Mike Schussler will unpack the economy as only he can, nobody is better equipped than Frans Haupt to inform Debt Counsellors about proposed changes to the NCA , Magauta Mphahlele will unpack VDMS, the NDMA will showcase the first deliverable of the Switch and Paul Slot will tie everything together towards the end.

Is it time to expand your Debt Counselling practice?

Do you need specialist Attorneys with a national footprint?

Do you need expert advice on how to protect your practice and your clients?

Are you informed about recent statutory and legal developments within the industry?

Attorneys servicing individual needs

Pretoria: +27(0)12 998 9117 www.hauptearle.co.za Nelspruit: +27 (0)13 752 7084

If you want to subscribe, advertise or be listed in our directory please contact us! magazine@debtfreedigi.co.za

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