******* collection on NFSAS student loan by MBD

I have been repeatedly harassed by Munnick Basson Dagama Incorporated Attorneys (MBD) concerning the collection of my NFSAS student loan. In 2014, I app**** for a student loan from the University of Wi****ersrand (Wits) for the qualification that I was studying towards, a Bachelor of Accounting Sciences. This financial aid was for a total of three years (2 ********** ). In 2017, I registered as a self-funding student, however by the end of the year I was deregistered and have not found employment since then. On 2 March 2019, I received the following SMS from MBD: "Your NFSAS student loan account has been handed over for collection. Call MBD on (011) ********** to arrange for payment. Ref: ********** ********** 34."

I ignored the above message because I am not employed. The following is an extract from the NFSAS website which states, "NSFAS student loans are income-contingent, which means that repayment commences when you start working."

Yesterday, 8 March 2019, I received another SMS from MBD: 'You have not responded to prior messages i.r.o your NFSAS loan. Payment is requested within 48 hours. Ref: ********** ********** 34. MBD tel (011) ********** ."

What made this SMS especially suspicious is that it contradicts NFSAS terms and conditions regarding repayment times, which states "No time limit is given for repayment, since this is determined by the salary of the debtor, and his or her ability to repay. Those who are unemployed are not expected to repay."

Because am not employed or even earning R30,000 per annum (the cut of limit for repayment) I can only include that this debt is ******* and is a heinous example of consumer victimisation.

As a young unemployed South African, I feel that the actions taken against me are of a malicious nature and further compound my already difficult situation. Worse still, every time MBD contacts me I am being billed.

Note that I have contacted NFSAS regarding the above and request that all attempts at further collection be stopped or I will pursue legal action.

Sincere regards Gloria Ndou