The Complete Guide to Credit Scores and Debt Review in South Africa

A credit score is a number that summarises how a consumer has managed credit, based on information held by credit bureaux. In South Africa, scores are calculated from factors including payment history, how much credit you are using, the age of your accounts, and the types of credit you hold.

Lenders use this score, alongside affordability checks, to decide whether to extend credit and on what terms. A higher score generally indicates lower risk.

When you enter debt review, your debt counsellor notifies the credit bureaux, and a debt review indicator is placed on your credit profile. This signals to credit providers that you are under a formal restructuring process.

Under the National Credit Act, registered credit providers are restricted from extending new credit to you while the debt review is active. This is a protective feature — it prevents further borrowing while existing debt is being repaid.

During the process, your focus is on maintaining the single restructured monthly payment through the payment distribution agency. Consistent payments are the most important factor; missed payments can place the restructuring at risk.

You generally cannot access new credit during this period. The listing remains on your report until the process is completed.

Once your qualifying debts are settled and your debt counsellor issues a Form 19 clearance certificate, the certificate is submitted to the credit bureaux. By law, the bureaux are required to remove the debt review indicator from your profile.

Your credit profile then reflects your remaining accounts (such as an ongoing home loan) and your payment history. The debt review listing itself is removed.

After clearance, rebuilding credit is a gradual process. Maintain any remaining accounts perfectly, keep credit utilisation low, and avoid applying for multiple credit facilities at once. Over time, a consistent positive payment record raises your score.

Patience and discipline matter more than any single action — rebuilding is measured in months and years, not days.

Consumers frequently ask whether they can get credit during debt review (generally no), how long after debt review they can access credit (once the clearance certificate is processed), and whether the listing is permanent (it is not — it is removed after clearance).

The supporting articles below address each of these questions in detail.