When Can a Creditor List a Debtor with a Credit Bureau?
- Sep 9, 2025
- 1 min read
Adverse credit bureau listings can place serious pressure on a debtor. However, where the debt is genuinely disputed, a creditor should proceed carefully.
What happened?
Two transport companies entered into a logistics agreement with a client. When trucks were delayed at a national border, the transporters charged standing-time fees.
The client disputed the charges and, through its attorneys, made clear that it would not pay them. The transporters then threatened to list the client as a slow payer with credit bureaus unless payment was made within 72 hours.
Why it matters
The client approached the Pretoria High Court for an urgent interdict to prevent any credit bureau listing pending the final determination of the dispute.
The court confirmed that it had jurisdiction and granted interim protection. The decision highlights the risk of using credit bureau listings as pressure where the underlying debt remains disputed.
Key takeaway
Creditors should distinguish between a debtor who simply refuses to pay and a debtor who raises a genuine dispute. A premature adverse listing may create litigation risk.