About DEMASA
An independent non-profit authority established to bring structure, accountability and ethical standards to the debt mediation industry in South Africa.
“DEMASA was established to bring structure, accountability and ethical standards to the debt mediation industry — which is currently largely unregulated — and to build lasting trust between providers, attorneys and creditors.”
The absence of formal oversight in the debt mediation sector has led to inconsistent practices, consumer uncertainty, and reputational challenges for ethical operators who do things correctly. DEMASA was created specifically to address this — by setting minimum compliance standards, enforcing a binding Code of Conduct, and promoting responsible, transparent practices across the industry.
DEMASA is not a debt mediation service provider. We are the national self-regulatory authority — setting the rules, certifying those who meet them, and enforcing consequences for those who do not. We sit outside the industry and above it.
DEMASA promotes the use of attorney trust accounts, compliant consumer documentation, and transparent fee structures as the foundation of ethical debt mediation. Providers who operate this way are the providers DEMASA exists to protect and recognise.
Our long-term vision is to create an industry benchmark similar to regulated environments — where DEMASA accreditation is the recognised standard for trustworthy, compliant debt mediation across South Africa, acknowledged by regulators, banks, attorneys and consumers alike.
Accreditation & Verification
Reviews applications, verifies compliance and issues Membership Certificates, Numbers and Badges to qualifying providers.
Complaints & Ethics
Receives and processes complaints from consumers and members. Investigates and recommends sanctions with procedural fairness.
Standards & Compliance
Develops and reviews DEMASA standards, monitors regulatory developments, and issues compliance guidance and bulletins.
Training & Certification
Develops practitioner training pathways, manages CPD requirements and individual practitioner registration.
Long-Term Vision
DEMASA's vision is a fully professionalised debt mediation industry in South Africa — one where accreditation is the expected standard, not the exception. Where consumers can engage any DEMASA provider with full confidence. Where creditors and banks have a reliable, independently verified list of ethical operators they can trust. And where the industry is no longer characterised by its worst actors, but measured by its best.
DEMASA is governed by an independent, non-executive Board of Directors responsible for strategic oversight, standards approval and enforcement decisions.
Board appointments are being finalised. This page will be updated upon confirmation.
Accreditation & Standards Director
Debt Mediation Association of South Africa