Summative Assessments Module 2: Mathematical Literacy

Civil judgments for debt down 15.8% in first quarter

June 23, 2005

By PaliLehohla

Not all data released by Statistics SA make the headlines. However, some of the less prominent statistical releases contain important insights, which shed light on trends and developments in society as a whole and the economy in particular.

For example, each month Stats SA releases data on civil cases for debt. This survey, which covers a sample of magistrates’ offices, collects information regarding civil cases recorded, civil summonses issued and civil judgments recorded. 

Its provides information on the extent of unpaid debt in South Africa, which is used by the private and public sectors as an indicator of economic performance.

Each month the survey covers the number of civil cases recorded; the number of civil summonses issued for debt; the number of civil judgments recorded for debt; and the value of civil judgments recorded for debt.

The most recent data released in this series reports on three periods: the month of March 2005; change over the period March 2004 to March 2005; and change between the first quarter of 2004 compared with the first quarter of 2005. 

In most areas monitored there was a decrease in the indicators of debt. The total number of civil summonses issued for debt in the first quarter of 2005 decreased by 16.4 percent compared with the first quarter of 2004.

The big contributors to this decrease were summonses issued in respect of money lent (down 6 percentage points), promissory notes (down 2.3 percentage points), “other” services (down 2.3 percentage points), goods sold on open account (down 1.7 percentage points) “other” debts (down 1.7 percentage points) and rent (down 1.4 percentage points).

Following this pattern, the total number of civil judgments recorded for debt for the first quarter of 2005 decreased by 15.8 percent compared with the first quarter of 2004.

The contributors to this decrease were civil judgments in respect of money lent (down 5.1 percentage points), promissory notes (down 2.4 percentage points), rent (down 2.2 percentage points), and “other” debts (down 1.8 percentage points). 

The total value of civil judgments recorded for debt for the first quarter of 2005 decreased by 5.3 percent compared with the first quarter of 2004. 

The major contributors to this decrease were civil judgments recorded in respect of promissory notes (down 4.1 percentage points) and “other” debts (down 2 percentage points). 

However, this decrease was slightly counteracted by an increase in civil judgments recorded in respect of professional services (1 percentage point). 

Turning to the month of March this year, 65 406 civil judgments for debt amounting to R521 million were recorded.

The largest contributors to this amount were civil judgments relating to money lent (R155.3 million, or 29.8 percent), “other” debts (R135 million, or 25.9 percent) and promissory notes (R77.4 million, or 14.9 percent). During this month, 108 302 new civil summonses for debt were issued.

Comparative data released as at March 2005 show a decline in the number of civil summonses issued for debt between March 2001 and March 2005. Peaking in December 2002 at over 159 000, the March 2005 figure has fallen to just over 108 000.

The number of civil judgments recorded for debt reached a high of approximately 105 000 in mid-2003, falling to approximately 65 400 in March 2005.

Today Stats SA releases the latest data on civil cases for debt, which will reflect the position as at April 2005. Although a lesser-known indicator of trends in the economy, this monthly release provides important insights into economic performance. 

PaliLehohla is the statistician-general and head of Statistics SA. For more information on Stats SA and its outputs, including the latest statistics of civil cases for debt, visit www.statssa.gov.za, or contact user services on (012) 310-8600