DebtBusters review — is it legit?
Important: DebtBusters is not a lender — it will not give you a loan. It is an NCR-registered debt-counselling service that helps over-indebted South Africans go through debt review under the National Credit Act. Below is what debt review is, how DebtBusters fits in, and how to decide whether it’s the right path for you.
DebtBusters is a registered debt-counselling business operating under the National Credit Act. Debt review is a real legal process — but it is a serious step with consequences (you can’t take new credit while under review), so it suits people who are genuinely struggling to keep up, not those simply shopping for a loan.
DebtBusters operates through NCR-registered debt counsellors (registration numbers NCRDC1801, NCRDC2374, NCRDC2499, NCRDC4172). You can confirm any debt counsellor’s current registration yourself on the NCR’s public register at ncr.org.za. Only an NCR-registered debt counsellor may lawfully place you under debt review.
What debt review actually is
Debt review (also called debt counselling) is a legal process under the National Credit Act for people who can’t keep up with their debt repayments. A registered debt counsellor assesses your income, expenses, and debts, then negotiates a single, more affordable monthly repayment plan with your credit providers, which a court or tribunal can make an order. Here is what to understand before you commit.
This review covers one provider. For the process itself, with no provider attached, read our neutral guide to how debt review works in South Africa.
Your debts are restructured into a single reduced monthly instalment you can realistically afford, distributed to your creditors on your behalf.
Once you are under review, credit providers generally can’t take legal action to enforce the covered debts, provided you keep up the agreed payments.
While under debt review you are flagged and cannot take out new credit. This is a real trade-off — it’s the point of the process, but plan for it.
A lower monthly payment usually means repaying over a longer period, which can increase the total cost. That’s not automatically bad — but go in with eyes open.
What debt review costs
Debt-counselling fees are regulated under the National Credit Act and prescribed by the NCR — a debt counsellor may not charge more than the set maximums. They are usually paid from your monthly repayment, not upfront in a lump sum.
| Fee (NCR-regulated) | What it is | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | A once-off fee to start the debt-review process. | R50 (excl VAT) |
| Administration fee | A once-off fee for setting up your file with the credit providers. | R300 (excl VAT) |
| Restructuring fee | A once-off fee for negotiating and setting up your repayment plan. | up to R8 000 (excl VAT), or R9 000 if you are married in community of property |
| Monthly aftercare fee | An ongoing fee to administer and monitor your plan each month. | 5% of your instalment, max R450 (excl VAT) |
These are the NCR-prescribed maximums that apply to every debt counsellor under the National Credit Act — not fees DebtBusters publishes on its own site, and not an upfront lump sum (they come out of your single monthly repayment). These caps come from NCR circular 001/2018, the most recent fee guideline we could find, and each one is the lesser of the actual amount and the cap. The older R6 000 restructuring cap still circulates online but has been superseded. DebtBusters must show you its actual fees in writing before you sign.
Is debt review right for you?
- You genuinely can’t keep up with your monthly debt repayments.
- You want one affordable payment instead of juggling several.
- You want legal protection from creditors while you repay.
- You’re prepared not to take new credit until you’re debt-free.
- –You can still manage your repayments — review is a serious step, not a shortcut.
- –You’ll need new credit soon — you can’t borrow while under review.
- –A longer repayment period can mean paying more in total over time.
- –You’re looking for a loan — debt review will not give you one.
How applying for debt review works
You apply for debt review with a registered debt counsellor — it’s a legal process, not a product you buy.
A registered debt counsellor reviews your income, expenses, and debts to check whether you’re over-indebted and whether review is the right fit.
If review suits you, the counsellor negotiates one reduced monthly payment with your credit providers and applies to have it made an order.
You make one payment each month until the covered debts are settled, then receive a clearance certificate and exit the process.
Legal protection typically begins soon after your application is accepted, but the full process runs for as long as it takes to repay your restructured debt. The exact turnaround DebtBusters advertises is not published here yet — ask for it in writing before you commit.
Debt review is one route; debt consolidation is another, and sometimes doing neither is right. Explore your options with no obligation before you decide.
DebtBusters & debt review FAQ
Is DebtBusters a legitimate company?+
Yes. DebtBusters is an NCR-registered debt-counselling practice operating under the National Credit Act. You can verify any debt counsellor’s registration on the National Credit Regulator’s public register at ncr.org.za. A legitimate counsellor will always give you their fee schedule in writing and never demand a large upfront payment.
Does DebtBusters give loans?+
No. DebtBusters is a debt counsellor, not a lender. It does not lend you money — it helps restructure the debt you already have into one affordable monthly payment through the debt-review process. If you are looking for a loan, debt review is not the answer.
Will debt review hurt my credit record?+
While you are under debt review you are flagged and cannot take new credit — that’s a deliberate part of the process. Once you complete review and settle the covered debts, you receive a clearance certificate and the flag is removed. It is a serious step, so weigh it carefully against your alternatives.
What does debt review with DebtBusters cost?+
Debt-counselling fees are regulated under the National Credit Act, so they are the same maximums for every counsellor: a once-off application fee of R50 excluding VAT, a once-off administration fee of R300 excluding VAT, a once-off restructuring fee of the lesser of your distributable amount or R8 000 excluding VAT (R9 000 if you are married in community of property), and a monthly aftercare fee of the lesser of 5% of your instalment or R450 excluding VAT. They come out of your monthly repayment, not as an upfront lump sum.
What’s the difference between debt review and debt consolidation?+
Debt review is a legal process run by a registered debt counsellor that restructures your existing debts and protects you from creditors. Debt consolidation is taking a single new loan to pay off several debts, so you owe one lender. Consolidation is a loan; review is not. A longer term on either can cost more overall — so compare the total cost, not just the monthly payment.