South Africa records R293.1 million in civil debt judgments, a 4.9% increase

In February 2026, 9 256 civil judgements for debt amounting to R293.1 million were recorded -  representing a 4.9% increase from the previous year.

According to StatsSAs preliminary statistics of civil cases for debt report,  the largest contributors to the total value of judgements were:

• ‘other’ debts (R74.6 million or 25.4%);

• money lent (R74.5 million or 25.4%);

• services (R62.8 million or 21.4%); and

• promissory notes (R40.4 million or 13.8%)

"The total value of civil judgements recorded for debt increased by 4.9% in the three months ended February 2026 compared with the three months ended February 2025.

"The total number of civil judgements recorded for debt increased by 1.9% in the three months ended February 2026 compared with the three months ended February 2025," StatsSA found. 

The largest positive contributors to the 1.9% increase were civil judgements relating to:

• services (contributing 3.8 percentage points); and

• ‘other’ debts (contributing 1.4 percentage points)

Rent was the largest negative contributor.

It found the total number of civil summonses issued for debt decreased by 2.5% in the three months ended February 2026 compared with the three months ended February 2025.

"The total number of civil summonses issued for debt decreased by 2.5% in the three months ended February 2026 compared with the three months ended February 2025.

"The largest negative contributors to the 2.5% decrease in civil summonses issued were services (contributing -3.4 percentage points), and money lent (contributing -1.8 percentage points).‘Other’ debts (contributing 3.1 percentage points) was the largest positive contributor," StatsSA found. 

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