Guides for South African lenders

Collecting what you are owed, by the book.

Plain guides to the notices, letters, deadlines and fees that decide whether a South African lender gets paid. Each one cites the law it relies on.

• Section 129 notice: what a lender must send before going to courtWhat a section 129 notice must say, how to deliver and prove it, the 10 business day wait, debt review and reinstatement, with a free sample notice.
• Letter of demand in South Africa: template, rules and how to deliver itA free South African letter of demand template and generator: what it must say, the Small Claims Court 14 day rule, delivery by post, email or WhatsApp.
• Prescribed debt in South Africa: how long a lender has to collectPrescribed debt in South Africa for lenders: the Prescription Act periods, what restarts the clock, the NCA section 126B ban, and what to do before year 3.
• Debt collection fees in South Africa: what a collector may charge in 2026Debt collection fees in South Africa from 6 March 2026: R25 a letter or call, R3.50 an SMS, the R1,225 cap, NCA in duplum limits and agency commissions.
• Acknowledgement of debt: what makes an AOD enforceable, with a templateAcknowledgement of debt (AOD) meaning for lenders: what makes it enforceable, consent to judgment, prescription, e-signing, and a free AOD template.
• Garnishee order: how a lender gets and uses an emoluments attachment orderA garnishee order (emoluments attachment order) explained for lenders: the 25% salary cap, court authorisation since 2018, steps, costs and how to stop one.
• DebiCheck for lenders: how mandates work and what to do when a collection failsWhat DebiCheck is, how TT1, TT2 and TT3 mandates work, why a valid DebiCheck debit order cannot be reversed, and what lenders do when a collection fails.
• How to start a micro lending business in South Africa: NCR registration, costs and interest capsHow to start a micro lending business in South Africa: NCR registration steps and documents, current NCR fees, interest and fee caps, and reporting duties.