Debt collectors have been given until the end of August to register with the Debtor’s Council.

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Penuell Maduna launched the Debtors Council in Pretoria this week, to sweep out unscrupulous collectors and regulate the industry.

Failure to register with the council will result in collectors not being recognised as legitimate.

"The Council will regulate all the debt collectors and also ensure that they operate according to rules and regulations laid down by the Council," said Maduna.

The minister said it had come to the department’s attention that some unscrupulous collectors were forcing vulnerable people, such as pensioners, to hand over their identity documents. In other instances, people's properties were being unlawfully attached.

According to Council chairperson Advocate Jasper Noeth, once a debt collector was registered, the Council would have jurisdiction over and could charge the collector if he or she was found to be guilty of improper conduct.

"We are currently working on a code of conduct which will be distributed to all registered members," said Noeth. "This will give members of the public a chance also to lodge their complaints with the Council".

Source: BuaNews

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