Advanced Search

National Credit Amendment Act


Published: 2014-05-19

Subscribe to a Global-Regulation Premium Membership Today!

Key Benefits:

Subscribe Now for only USD$40 per month.
National Credit Amendment Act
Please note that most Acts are published in English and another South African official language. Currently we only have capacity to publish the English versions.
This means that this document will only contain even numbered pages as the other language is printed on uneven numbered pages.
Government Gazette
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Vol. 587 Cape Town 19 May 2014 No. 37665
THE PRESIDENCY No. 389 19 May 2014 It is hereby notified that the President has assented to the following Act, which is hereby published for general information:–
Act No. 19 of 2014: National Credit Amendment Act, 2014

2 No. 37665 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19 May 2014 Act No. 19 of 2014 National Credit Amendment Act, 2014
GENERAL EXPLANATORY NOTE:
[ ] Words in bold type in square brackets indicate omissions from existing enactments.
Words underlined with a solid line indicate insertions in existing enactments.
ACT To amend the National Credit Act, 2005, so as to amend certain definitions; to provide for the alteration of the governance structure of the National Credit Regulator; to empower the Chief Executive Officer to delegate certain functions to other officials of the National Credit Regulator; to provide for the registration of payment distribution agents; to tighten measures relating to debt counsellors and the conduct of their practices as debt counsellors; to allow registrants to voluntarily cancel their registration; to empower the Minister to issue a notice for the removal of adverse consumer credit information; to provide for automatic removal of adverse consumer credit information; to empower the National Consumer Tribunal to declare a credit agreement reckless; to provide for the registration and accreditation of alternative dispute resolution agents; and to provide for matters connected therewith.
BE IT ENACTED by the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, asfollows:— Amendment of section 1 of Act 34 of 2005
1. Section 1 of the National Credit Act, 2005 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), is hereby amended—
(a) by the deletion of the definition of ‘Board’; (b) by the insertion after the definition of ‘‘Cabinet’’ of the following definition:
‘‘ ‘code of conduct’ except in respect of the industry code of conduct contemplated in section 76, means a code regulating the interaction between or among persons conducting business within an industry;’’;
(c) by the deletion of the definition of ‘member of the Board’; (d) by the substitution for the definition of ‘‘mortgage’’ of the following
definition: ‘‘ ‘mortgage’ means a mortgage bond registered by the registrar of deeds over immovable property that serves as continuing covering security for a mortgage agreement;’’;
(e) by the substitution for the definition of ‘‘mortgage agreement’’ of the following definition:
‘‘ ‘mortgage agreement’means a credit agreement that is secured by [a pledge of immovable property] the registration of a mortgage bond by the registrar of deeds over immovable property;’’;
5
10
15
20
(English text signed by the President) (Assented to 16 May 2014)
4 No. 37665 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19 May 2014 Act No. 19 of 2014 National Credit Amendment Act, 2014
(f) by the insertion after the definition of ‘‘pawn transaction’’ of the following definition:
‘‘ ‘payment distribution agent’ means a person who on behalf of a consumer, that has applied for debt review in terms of this Act, distributes payments to credit providers in terms of a debt re- arrangement, court order, order of the Tribunal or an agreement;’’;
(g) by the substitution for the definition of ‘‘prohibited conduct’’ of the following definition:
‘‘ ‘prohibited conduct’ means an act or omission in contravention of this Act[, other than an act or omission that constitutes an offence under this Act, by— (a) an unregistered person who is required to be registered to
engage in such an act; or (b) a credit provider, credit bureau or debt counsellor];’’; and
(h) by the substitution in the definition of ‘‘secured loan’’ for paragraph (b) of the following paragraph:
‘‘(b) retains, or receives a pledge [or cession of the title] to any movable property or other thing of value as security for all amounts due under that agreement;’’.
Amendment of section 17 of Act 34 of 2005
2. Section 17 of the principal Act is hereby amended— (a) by the substitution in subsection (4) for the words preceding paragraph (a) of
the following words: ‘‘The National Credit Regulator [may] must—’’;
(b) by the substitution in subsection (4)(b) for the words preceding subparagraph (i) of the following words:
‘‘(b) [negotiate agreements] enter into a valid agreement with any regulatory authority to—’’;
(c) by the deletion in subsection (4) of the word ‘‘and’’at the end of paragraph (c); (d) by the insertion in subsection (4) of the word ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph
(d); (e) by the addition in subsection (4) of the following paragraph:
‘‘(e) notify the Registrar of Banks designated in terms of the Banks Act, 1990 ( Act No. 94 of 1990), within the agreed time frame, of its intention to investigate a bank as defined in the Banks Act, 1990.’’; and
(f) by the substitution in subsection (5) for paragraph (a) of the following paragraph:
‘‘(a) [may negotiate agreements] must enter into a valid agreement with the National Credit Regulator, as anticipated in subsection [4](4)(b); and’’.
Repeal of sections 19, 20, 21 and 22 of Act 34 of 2005
3. Sections 19, 20, 21 and 22 of the principal Act are hereby repealed.
Amendment of section 23 of Act 34 of 2005
4. Section 23 of the principal Act is hereby amended— (a) by the substitution for subsection (1) of the following subsection:
‘‘(1) The Minister must appoint a suitably qualified and experienced person as Chief Executive Officer of the National Credit Regulator, who [— (a) with the advice, and subject to the oversight, of the Board; and (b) is accountable to the Board] must be responsible for all matters pertaining to the functions of the National Credit Regulator.’’;
4
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
6 No. 37665 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19 May 2014 Act No. 19 of 2014 National Credit Amendment Act, 2014
(b) by the deletion of subsection (2); and (c) by the addition of the following subsections:
‘‘(3) The Chief Executive Officer is the accounting authority for the National Credit Regulator, and as such is responsible for— (a) all income and expenditure of the National Credit Regulator; (b) all revenue collected by the National Credit Regulator; (c) all assets, and the discharge of all duties and liabilities of the
National Credit Regulator; and (d) proper and diligent implementation of this Act in order to achieve
the objects stipulated in this Act. (4) The Chief Executive Officer may—
(a) assign management and other duties to employees with appropriate skills to assist the National Credit Regulator in the management, or control of the National Credit Regulator; and
(b) delegate, with or without conditions, any of the powers or functions of the Chief Executive Officer to any suitably qualified employee of the National Credit Regulator, but such delegation does not divest the Chief Executive Officer of responsibility for the exercise of any power or performance of any duty.
(5) The Minister may appoint a person who is suitably qualified and experienced, as a Deputy Chief Executive Officer to assist the Chief Executive Officer in carrying out the functions of the National Credit Regulator.’’.
Amendment of section 25 of Act 34 of 2005
5. Section 25 of the principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution in subsection (1) for the words preceding paragraph (a) of the following words:
‘‘The Chief Executive Officer or any employee duly authorised by the Chief Executive Officer—’’.
Amendment of section 26 of Act 34 of 2005
6. Section 26 of the principal Act is hereby amended— (a) by the substitution for subsection (4) of the following subsection:
‘‘(4) To be eligible for appointment or designation as a member of the Tribunal, and to continue to hold that office, a person must— (a) not be subject to any disqualification set out in subsection (5); and (b) have submitted to the Minister a written declaration stating that the
person— (i) is not disqualified in terms of subsection (5); and (ii) does not have any interests referred to in subsection
(5)(b).’’; and (b) by the addition of the following subsections:
‘‘(5) A person may not be a member of the Tribunal if that person— (a) is an office-bearer of any party, movement, organisation or body of
a partisan political nature; (b) personally or through a spouse, partner or associate—
(i) has or acquires a direct or indirect financial interest in a registrant; or
(ii) has or acquires an interest in a business or enterprise, which may conflict or interfere with the proper performance of the duties of a member of the Tribunal;
(c) is an unrehabilitated insolvent or becomes insolvent and the insolvency results in the sequestration of that person’s estate;
6
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
8 No. 37665 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19 May 2014 Act No. 19 of 2014 National Credit Amendment Act, 2014
(d) has ever been, or is, removed from an office of trust on account of a guilty finding in respect of a complaint of misconduct related to fraud or the misappropriation of money;
(e) is subject to an order of a competent court holding that person to be mentally unfit or disordered;
(f) within the previous 10 years has been, or is, convicted in the Republic or elsewhere of theft, fraud, forgery or uttering a forged document, perjury, an offence under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004 (Act No. 12 of 2004), an offence under the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, 2001 (Act No. 38 of 2001), or an offence involving dishonesty; or
(g) has been convicted of any other offence committed after the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, took effect, and sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine.
(6) For the purpose of subsection (5)(b), a financial interest does not include an indirect interest held in any fund or investment if the person contemplated in that subsection has no control over the investment decisions of that fund or investment. (7) A member of the Tribunal must promptly inform the Minister in
writing after acquiring an interest that is, or is likely to become, an interest contemplated in subsection (5)(b). (8) A member of the Tribunal must not—
(a) engage in any activity that may undermine the integrity of the Tribunal;
(b) attend, participate in or influence the proceedings of the Tribunal, if, in relation to the matter before the Tribunal, that member has an interest—
(i) contemplated in subsection (5)(b); or (ii) that precludes that member from performing the functions
of a member of the Tribunal in a fair, unbiased and proper manner;
(c) make private use of, or profit from, any confidential information obtained as a result of performing that person’s functions as a member of the Tribunal; or
(d) divulge any information referred to in paragraph (c) to any third party, except as required as part of that person’s official functions as a member of the Tribunal.
(9) If, at any time, it appears to a member of the Tribunal that a matter being considered by the Tribunal during proceedings concerns an interest of that member referred to in subsection (8)(b), that member must— (a) immediately and fully disclose the nature of that interest to the
members present; and (b) withdraw from the proceedings to allow the remaining members to
discuss the matter and determine whether the member should be prohibited from participating in any further proceedings concerning that matter.
(10) The disclosure by a member of the Tribunal in terms of subsection (9)(a), and the decision by the Tribunal in terms of subsection (9)(b), must be expressly recorded in the records of the proceedings in question. (11) Proceedings of the Tribunal, and any decisions taken by a
majority of the members present and entitled to participate in those decisions, are binding despite— (a) a member of the Tribunal failing to disclose an interest as required
by subsection (9); or (b) a member of the Tribunal, having an interest, attending or
participating in those proceedings.’’.
Amendment of section 29 of Act 34 of 2005
7. Section 29 of the principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution in subsection (5) for paragraph (a) of the following paragraph:
‘‘(a) must remove the Chairperson or any other member of the Tribunal from office if that person becomes subject to any of the disqualifications referred to in section [20(2)] 26(5); and’’.
8
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
10 No. 37665 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19 May 2014 Act No. 19 of 2014 National Credit Amendment Act, 2014
Amendment of section 32 of Act 34 of 2005
8. Section 32 of the principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution in subsection (2) for the words preceding paragraph (a) of the following words:
‘‘(2) If, during a hearing in which a member of the Tribunal is participating, it appears to that member that the matter concerns a financial or other interest of that member contemplated in section [20(2)(b)] 26(5)(b), that member must—’’.
Substitution of section 34 of Act 34 of 2005
9. The following section is hereby substituted for section 34 of the principal Act:
‘‘Remuneration and benefits
34. (1) The Minister may, in consultation with the Minister of Finance, determine salary, allowances, benefits or any other terms and conditions of employment for members of the Tribunal. (2) The salary, allowances or benefits of a member of the Tribunal may
not be reduced during the term of office of such a member.’’.
Amendment of section 40 of Act 34 of 2005
10. Section 40 of the principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for subsection (1) of the following subsection:
‘‘(1) A person must apply to be registered as a credit provider if [— (a) that person, alone or in conjunction with any associated person,
is the credit provider under at least 100 credit agreements, other than incidental credit agreements; or
(b)] the total principal debt owed to that credit provider under all outstanding credit agreements, other than incidental credit agree- ments, exceeds the threshold prescribed in terms of section 42(1).’’.
Amendment of section 42 of Act 34 of 2005
11. Section 42 of the principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for subsection (1) of the following subsection:
‘‘(1) [On the effective date, and at intervals of not more than five years, the] TheMinister, by notice in theGazette, must determine a threshold [of not less than R500 000,] for the purpose of determining whether a credit provider is required to be registered in terms of section 40(1).’’.
Insertion of section 44A in Act 34 of 2005
12. The following section is hereby inserted in the principal Act after section 44:
‘‘Registration of payment distribution agents
44A. (1) A person may apply to the National Credit Regulator to be registered as a payment distribution agent. (2) (a) A person must not offer or engage in the services of a payment
distribution agent, or hold themselves out to the public as being authorised to offer any such service, unless that person is registered as a payment distribution agent in terms of this Chapter. (b) A consumer is not obliged to make use of the services of a payment
distribution agent.
10
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
12 No. 37665 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19 May 2014 Act No. 19 of 2014 National Credit Amendment Act, 2014
(3) In addition to the requirements of section 46, an applicant for registration as a payment distribution agent must satisfy any prescribed education, experience or competency requirements. (4) Payment distribution agents must—
(a) maintain fidelity insurance and trust accounts; and (b) submit such financial accounts as may reasonably be required by the
National Credit Regulator for purposes of a financial audit. (5) No credit provider shall have any direct or indirect interest which is
inconsistent with the objects of this Act, in the management or control of the business operations of a payment distribution agent or debt counselling business. (6) Any natural or juristic person who operated as a payment distribution
agent prior to the commencement of the National Credit Amendment Act, 2014, must comply with subsection (1) within a period of 12 months from the date of commencement.’’.
Amendment of section 45 of Act 34 of 2005
13. Section 45 of the principal Act is hereby amended— (a) by the substitution for subsection (3) of the following subsection:
‘‘(3) If an application complies with the provisions of this Act and the applicant meets the criteria set out in this Act for registration, the National Credit Regulator, after considering the application, must register the applicant [,] subject to section 48 unless the National Credit Regulator after subjecting the applicant to a fit and proper test or any other prescribed test, is of the view that there are other compelling grounds that disqualify the applicant from being registered in terms of this Act.’’; and
(b) by the addition of the following subsections: ‘‘(4) The Minister may prescribe the criteria to be considered in
conducting a fit and proper test contemplated in subsection (3). (5) The Minister may prescribe—
(a) the criteria for registration; (b) the duties and obligations of a registrant; and (c) the fees that may be charged by a registrant.’’.
Amendment of section 46 of Act 34 of 2005
14. Section 46 of the principal Act is hereby amended— (a) by the substitution for subsection (2) of the following subsection:
‘‘(2) A natural person may not be registered as a credit provider, debt counsellor or payment distribution agent if that person is an unrehabili- tated insolvent.’’; and
(b) by the substitution in subsection (3) for the words preceding paragraph (a) of the following words:
‘‘(3) A natural person may not be registered as a credit provider [or], debt counsellor, or payment distribution agent, if that person—’’.
Amendment of section 48 of Act 34 of 2005
15. Section 48 of the principal Act is hereby amended— (a) by the substitution in subsection (1) for the words preceding paragraph (a) of
the following words: ‘‘If a person qualifies to be registered as a credit provider, the National Credit Regulator must further [consider the application, relating to] apply the following criteria in respect of the application:’’;
12
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
14 No. 37665 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19 May 2014 Act No. 19 of 2014 National Credit Amendment Act, 2014
(b) by the substitution in subsection (1) for paragraph (b) of the following paragraph:
‘‘(b) the commitments, if any, made by the applicant or any associated person in connection with combating over-indebtedness and compliance with a prescribed code of conduct as well as affordability assessment regulations made by the Minister on the recommendation of the National Credit Regulator [, including whether the applicant or any associated person has subscribed to any relevant industry code of conduct approved by a regulator or regulatory authority]; and’’; and
(c) by the addition of the following subsection: ‘‘(1A) The Minister may prescribe criteria and measures to determine
the outcome of affordability assessments provided for in this section.’’.
Insertion of section 48A in Act 34 of 2005
16. The following section is hereby inserted in the principal Act after section 48:
‘‘Code of Conduct
48A. (1) The Minister may prescribe a code of conduct contemplated in section 48(1)(b), only after the National Credit Regulator has— (a) published the proposed code of conduct for public comment; (b) considered any submissions made during the public comment period; (c) consulted with—
(i) persons conducting business within the relevant industry; and (ii) relevant accredited persons; and
(d) made any revisions to the proposed industry code as published for comment.
(2) A code of conduct must be consistent with the purposes of this Act. (3) The National Credit Regulator—
(a) must monitor the effectiveness of any code of conduct issued in terms of this Act; and
(b) may reasonably require persons conducting business within the relevant industry to provide information necessary for the purposes of—
(i) monitoring in terms of paragraph (a); or (ii) reviewing the effectiveness of a prescribed code of conduct
relative to the purposes of this Act. (4) A registrant must not, in the ordinary course of business, contravene
an applicable code of conduct as contemplated in section 48(1)(b).’’.
Amendment of section 49 of Act 34 of 2005
17. Section 49 of the principal Act is hereby amended— (a) by the deletion in subsection (1) of the word ‘‘or’’ at the end of paragraph (c); (b) by the substitution in subsection (1) for the full stop at the end of paragraph (d)
of the following words ‘‘; or’’; and (c) by the addition in subsection (1) of the following paragraph:
‘‘(e) if the National Credit Regulator, on compelling grounds, deems it necessary for the attainment of the purposes of thisAct and efficient enforcement of its functions.’’.
Amendment of section 51 of Act 34 of 2005
18. Section 51 of the principal Act is hereby amended— (a) by the deletion in subsection (1) of the word ‘‘and’’at the end of paragraph (b);
14
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
16 No. 37665 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19 May 2014 Act No. 19 of 2014 National Credit Amendment Act, 2014
(b) by the insertion in subsection (1) of the word ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph (c); and
(c) by the addition in subsection (1) of the following paragraph: ‘‘(d) a penalty for late renewal of registration by registrants which must
be imposed by the National Credit Regulator on a registrant who fails to pay his or her prescribed registration renewal fees within 30 days from the date on which such fees were payable.’’.
Amendment of section 52 of Act 34 of 2005
19. Section 52 of the principalAct is hereby amended by the substitution in subsection (4) for paragraph (b) of the following paragraph:
‘‘(b) [subject to timely payment of the prescribed registration renewal fees,] remains in effect until— (i) the registrant is deregistered; [or] (ii) the registration is cancelled in terms of this Act[.]; or (iii) it has lapsed on the last day upon which the prescribed renewal fee
should have been paid in terms of section 51(1)(c).’’.
Insertion of section 58A in Act 34 of 2005
20. The following section is hereby inserted in the principal Act after section 58:
‘‘Additional requirements for cancellations
58A. (1) A registrant who voluntarily requests that his or her registration be cancelled must— (a) submit a notice in the prescribed manner and form, and an affidavit to
the National Credit Regulator, stating— (i) the registrant’s intention to voluntarily cancel his or her
registration; (ii) reasons for such cancellation; and (iii) the date on which the cancellation shall take effect;
(b) attach to the said notice proof that all the affected consumers, credit providers and all credit bureaux have been notified about the intended cancellation; and
(c) attach to the said notice the registration certificate issued to that registrant by the National Credit Regulator.
(2)A registrant whose registration has been cancelled in accordance with subsection (1) must, in the prescribed manner and form, submit an affidavit to the National Credit Regulator stating that the consumers referred to subsections (1)(b) have been transferred to another registrant chosen by the consumer. (3) A credit provider who voluntarily requests that his or her registration
be cancelled shall, in the prescribed manner and form, submit a cancellation notice to the National Credit Regulator accompanied by— (a) the registration certificate that was issued to that credit provider; and (b) an affidavit from the accounting officer, auditor or authority of such
credit provider, confirming that the registered activities have ceased. (4) The Minister may prescribe the procedure for the hand over and
transfer of records of consumers where the registrant ceases to operate for any reason, including cancellation of registration, lapsing of registration, death or incapacity.’’.
Amendment of section 71 of Act 34 of 2005
21. Section 71 of the principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for subsections (1), (2), (3) and (4) of the following subsections respectively:
16
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
18 No. 37665 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19 May 2014 Act No. 19 of 2014 National Credit Amendment Act, 2014
‘‘(1) A consumer whose debts have been re-arranged in terms of Part D of this Chapter, [may apply to a debt counsellor at any time for a clearance certificate relating to that debt re-arrangement] must be issued with a clearance certificate by a debt counsellor within seven days after the consumer has— (a) satisfied all the obligations under every credit agreement that was subject to
that debt re-arrangement order or agreement, in accordance with that order or agreement; or
(b) demonstrated— (i) financial ability to satisfy the future obligations in terms of the
re-arrangement order or agreement under— (aa) a mortgage agreement which secures a credit agreement for the
purchase or improvement of immovable property; or (bb) any other long term agreement as may be prescribed;
(ii) that there are no arrears on the re-arranged agreements contemplated in subparagraph (i); and
(iii) that all obligations under every credit agreement included in the re-arrangement order or agreement, other than those contemplated in subparagraph (i), have been settled in full.
(2) A debt counsellor must for the purposes of the demonstration envisaged in subsection (1) (b), apply such measures as may be prescribed. (3) If a debt counsellor [refuses] decides not to issue or fails to issue a clearance
certificate as contemplated in subsection [(2)(b)(i)] (1), the consumer may apply to the Tribunal to review that decision, and if the Tribunal is satisfied that the consumer is entitled to the certificate in terms of subsection [(2)(b)(i)] (1), the Tribunal may order the debt counsellor to issue a clearance certificate to the consumer. (4) (a)A [consumer to whom a clearance certificate is issued in terms of this
section may] debt counsellor must within seven days after the issuance of the clearance certificate, file a certified copy of that certificate, with the national register established in terms of section 69 of this Act [or any credit bureau] and all registered credit bureaux.
(b) If the debt counsellor fails to file a certified copy of a clearance certificate as contemplated in subsection (1), a consumer may file a certified copy of such certificate with the National Credit Regulator and lodge a complaint against such debt counsellor with the National Credit Regulator.’’.
Insertion of section 71A of Act 34 of 2005
22. The following section is hereby inserted in the principal Act after section 71:
‘‘Automatic removal of adverse consumer credit information
71A. (1) The credit provider must submit to all registered credit bureaux within seven days after settlement by a consumer of any obligation under any credit agreement, information regarding such settlement where an obligation under such credit agreement was the subject of— (a) an adverse classification of consumer behaviour; (b) an adverse classification enforcement action against a consumer; (c) an adverse listing recorded in the payment profile of the consumer; or (d) a judgement debt. (2) The credit bureau must remove any adverse listing contemplated in
subsection (1) within seven days after receipt of such information from the credit provider. (3) If the credit provider fails to submit information regarding a
18
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
20 No. 37665 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19 May 2014 Act No. 19 of 2014 National Credit Amendment Act, 2014
settlement as contemplated in subsection (1), a consumer may lodge a complaint against such credit provider with the National Credit Regulator. (4) For the purposes of this section—
(a) ‘adverse classification of consumer behaviour’means classification relating to consumer behaviour and includes a classification such as ‘‘delinquent’’, ‘‘default’’, ‘‘slow paying’’, ‘‘absconded’’, or ‘‘not contactable’’; and
(b) ‘adverse classification of enforcement action’ means classification relating to enforcement action taken by the credit provider, including a classification such as ‘‘handed over for collection or recovery’’, ‘‘legal action’’, or ‘‘write-off’’.’’.
Amendment of section 73 of Act 34 of 2005
23. Section 73 of the principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for subsection (1) of the following subsection:
‘‘(1) The Minister [must, within a period of six months after the effective date,] may, at any time prescribe— (a) the nature of, time-frame, form and manner in which consumer credit
information held by credit bureaux must be reviewed, verified, corrected or removed; [and]
(aA) the manner in which a registered auditor may confirm that the consumer credit information referred to in paragraph (a) has been reviewed, verified, corrected or removed; and
(b) the time frame and schedule for the exercise by consumers of their rights in terms of section 72(1)[,
within a period of one year after the regulations being promulgated].’’.
Amendment of section 82 of Act 34 of 2005
24. Section 82 of the principal Act is hereby amended— (a) by the substitution for subsections (1) and (2) of the following subsections,
respectively: ‘‘(1) [Subject to subsections (2)(a) and (3), a]A credit provider may
determine for itself the evaluative mechanisms or models and procedures to be used in meeting its assessment obligations under section 81, provided that any such mechanism, model or procedure results in a fair and objective assessment and must not be inconsistent with the affordability assessment regulations made by the Minister. (2) The Minister must, on recommendation of the National Credit
Regulator, make affordability assessment regulations.’’; and (b) by the deletion of subsections (3) and (4).
Amendment of section 83 of Act 34 of 2005
25. Section 83 of the principal Act is hereby amended— (a) by the substitution for the heading of the following heading:
‘‘[Court may suspend reckless credit agreement] Declaration of reckless credit agreement’’;
(b) by the substitution for subsection (1) of the following subsection: ‘‘(1) Despite any provision of law or agreement to the contrary, in any
court or Tribunal proceedings in which a credit agreement is being considered, the court or Tribunal, as the case may be, may declare that the credit agreement is reckless, as determined in accordance with this Part.’’;
(c) by the substitution in subsection (2) for the words preceding paragraph (a) of the following words:
20
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
22 No. 37665 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19 May 2014 Act No. 19 of 2014 National Credit Amendment Act, 2014
‘‘If a court or Tribunal declares that a credit agreement is reckless in terms of section 80(1)(a) or 80(1)(b)(i), the court or Tribunal, as the case may be, may make an order—’’;
(d) by the substitution in subsection (3) for the words preceding paragraph (a) of the following words:
‘‘If a court or Tribunal, as the case may be, declares that a credit agreement is reckless in terms of section 80(1)(b)(ii), the court or Tribunal, as the case may be—’’;
(e) by the substitution in subsection (3) for paragraph (a) of the following paragraph:
‘‘(a) must further consider whether the consumer is over-indebted at the time of those [court] proceedings; and’’;
(f) by the substitution in subsection (3) for the words preceding subparagraph (i) of paragraph (b) of the following words:
‘‘if the court or Tribunal, as the case may be, concludes that the consumer is over-indebted, the said court or Tribunal may make an order—’’; and
(g) by the substitution in subsection (4) for the words preceding paragraph (a) of the following words:
‘‘Before making an order in terms of subsection (3), the court or Tribunal, as the case may be, must consider—’’.
Amendment of section 86 of Act 34 of 2005
26. Section 86 of the principal Act is hereby amended— (a) by the substitution for subsection (2) of the following subsection:
‘‘(2)An application in terms of this section may not be made in respect of, and does not apply to, a particular credit agreement if, at the time of that application, the credit provider under that credit agreement has proceeded to take the steps contemplated in section [129] 130 to enforce that agreement.’’;
(b) by the substitution for subsections (10) and (11) of the following subsections, respectively:
‘‘(10) (a) If a consumer is in default under a credit agreement that is being reviewed in terms of this section, the credit provider in respect of that credit agreement may, at any time at least 60 business days after the date on which the consumer applied for the debt review, give notice to terminate the review in the prescribed manner to— [(a)] (i) the consumer; [(b)] (ii) the debt counsellor; and [(c)](iii) the National Credit Regulator[, at any time at least 60 business days after the date on which the consumer applied for the debt review][.]; and
(b) No credit provider may terminate an application for debt review lodged in terms of this Act, if such application for review has already been filed in a court or in the Tribunal.’’;
(11) If a credit provider who has given notice to terminate a review as contemplated in subsection (10) proceeds to enforce that agreement in terms of Part C of Chapter 6, the [Magistrate’s Court] court hearing the matter may order that the debt review resume on any conditions the court considers to be just in the circumstances.’’.
Amendment of section 89 of Act 34 of 2005
27. Section 89 of the principal Act is hereby amended— (a) by the substitution in subsection (5) for the words preceding paragraph (a) of
the following words:
22
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
24 No. 37665 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19 May 2014 Act No. 19 of 2014 National Credit Amendment Act, 2014
‘‘If a credit agreement is unlawful in terms of this section, despite [any provision of common law,] any other legislation or any provision of an agreement to the contrary, a court must make a just and equitable order including but not limited to an order that—’’; and
(b) by the deletion in subsection (5) of paragraphs (b) and (c).
Substitution of section 91 of Act 34 of 2005
28. The following section is hereby substituted for section 91 of the principal Act:
‘‘Prohibition of unlawful provisions in credit agreements and supple- mentary agreements
91. (1)Acredit provider must not directly or indirectly, by false pretences or with the intent to defraud, offer, require or induce a consumer to enter into or sign a credit agreement that contains an unlawful provision as contemplated in section 90. (2) A credit provider must not directly or indirectly require or induce a
consumer to enter into a supplementary agreement or sign any document, that contains a provision that would be unlawful if it were included in a credit agreement.’’.
Amendment of section 100 of Act 34 of 2005
29. Section 100 of the principal Act is hereby amended by the addition of the following subsection:
‘‘(3) A person who contravenes this section is guilty of an offence.’’.
Amendment of section 106 of Act 34 of 2005
30. Section 106 of the principal Act is hereby amended by the addition of the following subsection:
‘‘(8) The Minister may, in consultation with the Minister of Finance, prescribe the limit in respect of the cost of credit insurance that a credit provider may charge a consumer.’’.
Insertion of section 126B in Act 34 of 2005
31. The following section is hereby inserted in the principal Act after section 126A:
‘‘Application of prescription on debt
126B. (1) (a) No person may sell a debt under a credit agreement to which thisAct applies and that has been extinguished by prescription under the Prescription Act, 1969 (Act No. 68 of 1969). (b) No person may continue the collection of, or re-activate a debt under
a credit agreement to which this Act applies— (i) which debt has been extinguished by prescription under the Prescrip-
tion Act, 1969 (Act No. 68 of 1969); and (ii) where the consumer raises the defence of prescription, or would
reasonably have raised the defence of prescription had the consumer been aware of such a defence, in response to a demand, whether as part of legal proceedings or otherwise.’’.
Amendment of section 129 of Act 34 of 2005
32. Section 129 of the principal Act is hereby amended— (a) by the substitution for subsection (3) of the following subsection:
‘‘(3) Subject to subsection (4), a consumer may at any time before the
24
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
26 No. 37665 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19 May 2014 Act No. 19 of 2014 National Credit Amendment Act, 2014
credit provider has cancelled the agreement, remedy a default in such credit agreement by paying to the credit provider all amounts that are overdue, together with the credit provider’s prescribed default adminis- tration charges and reasonable costs of enforcing the agreement up to the time the default was remedied.’’.
(b) by the substitution in subsection (4) for the words preceeding paragraph (a) of the following word:
‘‘A [consumer] credit provider may not re-instate or revive a credit agreement after—’’; and
(c) by the addition of the following subsections: ‘‘(5) The notice contemplated in subsection (1)(a)must be delivered to
the consumer— (a) by registered mail; or (b) to an adult person at the location designated by the consumer.
(6) The consumer must in writing indicate the preferred manner of delivery contemplated in subsection (5). (7) Proof of delivery contemplated in subsection (5) is satisfied by— (a) written confirmation by the postal service or its authorised agent,
of delivery to the relevant post office or postal agency; or (b) the signature or identifying mark of the recipient contemplated in
subsection (5)(b).’’.
Amendment of section 130 of Act 34 of 2005
33. Section 130 of the principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution in subsection (1) for paragraph (a) of the following paragraph:
‘‘(a) at least 10 business days have elapsed since the credit provider delivered a notice to the consumer as contemplated in section 86[(9)](10), or section 129(1), as the case may be;’’.
Amendment of section 134 of Act 34 of 2005
34. Section 134 of the principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution in subsection (1) for the words preceding paragraph (a) of the following words:
‘‘As an alternative to filing a complaint with the National Credit Regulator in terms of section 136, a person may refer a matter or a dispute following an allegation of a reckless credit agreement that could be the subject of such a complaint as follows:’’.
Insertion of sections 134A and 134B in Act 34 of 2005
35. The following sections are hereby inserted in the principal Act after section 134:
‘‘Registration and accreditation of alternative dispute resolution agents
134A. The National Credit Regulator must register and accredit alternative dispute resolution agents.
Deregistration of alternative dispute resolution agents
134B. (1) Subject to subsection (2), registration and accreditation in terms of section 134A may be cancelled by the Tribunal on application by the National Credit Regulator, if an alternative dispute resolution agent— (a) fails to comply with any condition of its registration and accreditation;
or (b) contravenes this Act.
26
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
28 No. 37665 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19 May 2014 Act No. 19 of 2014 National Credit Amendment Act, 2014
(2) If an alternative dispute resolution agent fails to comply with any condition of its registration or accreditation or contravenes this Act, and such alternative dispute resolution agent is also licensed by another regulatory authority, the National Credit Regulator may— (a) impose conditions on the registration of such alternative dispute
resolution agent consistent with its licence, if any; (b) refer the matter to the regulatory authority that licensed such
alternative dispute resolution agent, with a request that the regulatory authority review that licence in the circumstances; or
(c) at the request, or with the consent, of the regulatory authority that licensed that alternative dispute resolution agent, apply to the Tribunal for cancellation of the registration and accreditation.
(3) A regulatory authority to whom a matter has been referred to in terms of subsection (2)(b)— (a) must conduct a formal review of the alternative dispute resolution
agent’s licence; (b) to the extent permitted by the legislation in terms of which the
alternative dispute resolution agent is licensed, may suspend that licence pending the outcome of that review; or
(c) may request, or consent to, the National Credit Regulator lodging an application with the Tribunal for cancellation of the registration.
(4) The National Credit Regulator must attempt to reach an agreement as contemplated in section 17(4) with any regulatory authority that issued a licence to an alternative dispute resolution agent that is registered in terms of section 134A, to co-ordinate the procedures to be followed in taking any action in terms of subsections (2) and (3). (5) The registration of an alternative dispute resolution agent is cancelled
as of— (a) the date on which the Tribunal issues an order; or (b) in the case of a voluntary cancellation, the date specified by the said
alternative dispute resolution agent in the notice of voluntary cancellation.
(6) An alternative dispute resolution agent whose registration has been cancelled must not engage in any formerly registered activities after the date on which the cancellation takes effect.’’.
Amendment of section 136 of Act 34 of 2005
36. Section 136 of the principal Act is hereby amended by the substitution for subsection (1) of the following subsection:
‘‘(1)Any person may submit a complaint concerning an alleged contravention of this Act or a complaint concerning an allegation of reckless credit to the National Credit Regulator in the prescribed manner and form.’’.
Amendment of section 163 of Act 34 of 2005
37. Section 163 of the principal Act is hereby amended— (a) by the substitution for subsection (1) of the following subsection:
‘‘(1) A credit provider, debt counsellor or payment distributing agent must ensure that its employees or agents are trained in respect of the matters to which this Act applies.’’;
(b) by the insertion after subsection (1) of the following subsections: ‘‘(1A) The Minister must prescribe the requirements and standards for
the training contemplated in subsection (1). (1B) Until the regulations envisaged in subsection (1A) have been
made, credit providers, debt counsellors and payment distributing agents must ensure that its employees or agents are trained to such an extent that they can contribute to the purpose of this Act.
28
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
30 No. 37665 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19 May 2014 Act No. 19 of 2014 National Credit Amendment Act, 2014
(1C)Adebt counsellor may only make use of agents for administrative tasks relating to debt review.’’; and
(c) by the substitution in subsection (3) for paragraph (b) of the following paragraph:
‘‘(b) that person must disclose to the consumer in writing the amount of any fee or commission that will be paid if the agreement is concluded; and’’.
Amendment of law
38. The laws specified in the Schedule hereto are hereby amended to the extent specified in that Schedule.
Short title and commencement
39. This Act is called the National Credit Amendment Act, 2014, and shall come into operation on a date fixed by the President by proclamation in the Gazette.
30
5
10
32 No. 37665 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19 May 2014 Act No. 19 of 2014 National Credit Amendment Act, 2014
Schedule
No and year of Act
Short title Extent of Amendment
Act No. 24 of 1936
Insolvency Act, 1936 1. The Insolvency Act is hereby amended by the insertion after section 8 of the following section:
‘‘Debt review
8A. A debtor who has applied for a debt review must not be regarded as having committed an Act of insol- vency.’’.
Act No. 68 of 2008
Consumer Protection Act, 2008
1. Section 71 of the Consumer Protec- tion Act is hereby amended by the sub- stitution for subsection (1) of the fol- lowing subsection:
‘‘(1) Any person may file a com- plaint concerning a matter contem- plated in section 69[(1)](c)(iv) [or (2)(b)] with the Commission in the prescribed manner and form, alleging that a person has acted in a manner inconsistent with this Act.’’.
32
34 No. 37665 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19 May 2014 Act No. 19 of 2014 National Credit Amendment Act, 2014