Credit Amnesty

In 2019, the South African government implemented a credit amnesty (formally the Removal of Adverse Consumer Credit Information and Credit Bureau Amnesty Regulations) that required credit bureaus to remove certain adverse listings — specifically paid-up judgements and adverse payment profile information — from consumers’ credit records. The amnesty was intended to help consumers who had settled their debts but were still being penalised by old listings. It was a one-time intervention and is not a permanent programme. Consumers sometimes incorrectly believe a new amnesty is available — as of 2026, no subsequent credit amnesty has been implemented, and normal credit bureau listing rules apply.