IN CONVERSATION WITH NICOLA MAWSON (freelance communications specialist as well as IOL and Personal Finance contributor)
Loading player...
Fewer South Africans and local businesses are being taken to court for unpaid debts, but those who do owe are owing more.
According to Statistics South Africa’s latest Civil Cases for Debt report, the number of civil summonses issued for debt declined by seven point four percent (7.4%) in the three months to August 2025, compared to the same period last year.
During this period, twenty-seven thousand seven hundred and seventy-six (27,776) people were taken to court out of a total of thirty-three thousand eight hundred and forty-eight (33,848) cases recorded. For the full year of 2024, there were four hundred and ten thousand four hundred and six (410,406) debt-related cases.
The biggest decreases were seen in money lent and “other” debts, both down by three point one percentage points (3.1), while promissory notes fell by one point five percentage points (1.5). Only services and rent categories recorded slight increases.
Civil judgments — court orders requiring individuals or companies to repay their debts — also fell, dropping eight point seven percent (8.7%) year-on-year.
While fewer cases involving unpaid service bills, personal loans, and general debts reached court, the total value of judgments increased by seven point seven percent (7.7%), showing that people are being taken to court for larger amounts.
Promissory notes, services, and rent were the main drivers behind this increase.
In August alone, South Africans faced ten thousand five hundred and fifteen (10,515) civil judgments with a combined value of R344.4 million. The largest portions came from services (R88.2 million), money lent (R79.5 million), and other debts (R68 million).
The data highlights a concerning trend: while fewer individuals are facing legal action, the average debt per case is growing, reflecting the rising financial pressures on households and businesses alike.
According to Statistics South Africa’s latest Civil Cases for Debt report, the number of civil summonses issued for debt declined by seven point four percent (7.4%) in the three months to August 2025, compared to the same period last year.
During this period, twenty-seven thousand seven hundred and seventy-six (27,776) people were taken to court out of a total of thirty-three thousand eight hundred and forty-eight (33,848) cases recorded. For the full year of 2024, there were four hundred and ten thousand four hundred and six (410,406) debt-related cases.
The biggest decreases were seen in money lent and “other” debts, both down by three point one percentage points (3.1), while promissory notes fell by one point five percentage points (1.5). Only services and rent categories recorded slight increases.
Civil judgments — court orders requiring individuals or companies to repay their debts — also fell, dropping eight point seven percent (8.7%) year-on-year.
While fewer cases involving unpaid service bills, personal loans, and general debts reached court, the total value of judgments increased by seven point seven percent (7.7%), showing that people are being taken to court for larger amounts.
Promissory notes, services, and rent were the main drivers behind this increase.
In August alone, South Africans faced ten thousand five hundred and fifteen (10,515) civil judgments with a combined value of R344.4 million. The largest portions came from services (R88.2 million), money lent (R79.5 million), and other debts (R68 million).
The data highlights a concerning trend: while fewer individuals are facing legal action, the average debt per case is growing, reflecting the rising financial pressures on households and businesses alike.
