Johannesburg - The total number of civil summonses issued for debt decreased by 5.5% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same quarter last year, Statistics SA (Stats SA) said on Thursday.
"A 1.8% decrease was recorded between September 2013 and September 2014," Stats SA said.
The total number of civil judgements recorded for debt in the third quarter on 2014 decreased by 16.6% compared with the third quarter of 2013.
"A decrease of 19.2% was recorded year-on-year in September 2014."
Stats SA said the total value of civil judgments recorded for debt decreased by 21.7% between the third quarter of 2013 and the third quarter of 2014.
A year-on-year decrease of 17.1% was recorded in September 2014.
In September, 24 684 civil judgments for debt amounting to R333.7m were recorded, Stats SA said.
The largest contributors were money lent at R95 3m or 28.6%; "other" debts at R70.4 m or 21.1% and services at R67 8m or 20.3%.
The survey was conducted from a sample of magistrates' offices in South Africa.
Number of civil summonses issued for debt down by 5,5% in Q3:2014 y/y. A 1,8% drop recorded in Sept'14 y/y #StatsSA http://t.co/k2Qo3EaUF6
— Stats SA (@StatsSA) November 20, 2014