SABC Debt Collectors Use Threatening SMS To Chase TV Licence Payments

South Africans with outstanding TV Licences are being targeted by the SABC’s debt collectors, who are sending SMS messages offering “deals” in vague language and threatening “trace alerts.”

These tactics are raising eyebrows and leaving many TV Licence holders unsure of their rights.

This is not a new strategy. The SABC has previously relied on debt collectors to chase overdue payments, despite concerns over their aggressive messaging techniques.

Experts Warn Legal Action Against Defaulters Is Unlikely

According to the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), TV Licence holders should not be overly concerned by these messages. The SABC is unlikely to pursue legal action or damage credit records for non-payment.

“Threats of prosecution are merely threats that I believe the public is aware that the SABC and the debt collectors will not be able to carry out,” said Outa CEO Wayne Duvenage.

The Broadcasting Act limits penalties for failing to pay a TV Licence to a maximum fine of R500 or up to six months in prison. Outa notes that no defaulters are known to have been prosecuted for non-payment, making court action costly and impractical.

“Just like e-tolls — when the cost to collect is too high, and consequences of non-payment are almost zero — collection rates will most certainly decline,” Duvenage explained.

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Wayne Duvenage also highlighted the murky history of TV Licence debt collection in South Africa. “Several years ago, a Gupta-linked company called Lornavision was given the full rights to collect TV Licence revenue on behalf of the SABC,” he said.

“It was a money-making racket that lasted a couple of years, before a new board came in after Zuma’s exit and the dubious Lornavision contract was cancelled.”

Duvenage emphasized that it remains unclear how much of the recovered TV Licence debt actually benefits the SABC versus the debt collection agencies.

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