Business Rescue · Eastern Cape

Business Rescue
in the Eastern Cape

SAAC acts for companies in financial distress throughout the Eastern Cape. We are licensed by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission and we take appointments across the province, from the automotive corridor around Gqeberha and East London through to the agricultural districts and the former Transkei.

100% Confidential
Immediate Availability
Nationwide Coverage
Licensed Practitioners (CIPC)
125+
Engagements
5,550+
Jobs Saved
17+
Years Experience

Book Your Free Confidential Assessment

No obligation. Speak to a licensed practitioner today.

Every day you wait, options narrow. Act now.
✓ Thank you! A practitioner will contact you within 2 business hours.
R395m
PCF Raised
144
Rescue Plans Co-authored
17
M&A Transactions

What the Eastern Cape economy is doing to companies right now

A business rescue practitioner is licensed nationally, not provincially. One licence carries across every division of the High Court, so the practitioner you appoint does not have to be based in your town. What matters is whether they understand the business, the sector and the creditors you are dealing with.

The provincial picture is severe and it is getting worse. Official unemployment in the Eastern Cape rose to 44.6 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, up from 42.5 per cent in the preceding quarter, and the expanded rate has reached 63.1 per cent. The province shed a further 43,000 jobs over that period.

Sixteen of the province's thirty-nine municipalities are officially in distress and cannot reliably deliver water, electricity or roads. For a manufacturer or a processor, that is not a governance story. It is a direct operating cost, an interruption to production, and in many cases the reason a viable business stops being able to meet its obligations.

Automotive manufacturing is the single largest contributor to Eastern Cape GDP, and it is under real pressure. The province's auto hub has taken the brunt of national manufacturing job losses, and during 2026 a major vehicle plant has been reported as facing closure. When an assembler cuts volumes, the damage travels straight down the supply chain to component makers, logistics operators and the service businesses around them.

Areas we act in: Gqeberha, East London, Makhanda, Mthatha, Queenstown, Uitenhage, Jeffreys Bay and Port Alfred, and elsewhere in the Eastern Cape.

Applications and court matters arising from a rescue in this province are dealt with in the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, which sits at Makhanda as its main seat and also at Gqeberha, Bhisho and Mthatha.

Single-customer exposure in the automotive supply chainComponent suppliers built around one assembler carry enormous concentration risk. A volume cut or a model change at the plant can remove most of a supplier's revenue in a single quarter, while the tooling, the debt and the workforce all remain.
Municipal service failureInterrupted water and electricity supply raises costs, damages stock and stops production. Businesses that would otherwise trade profitably find themselves funding generators, tankers and overtime out of working capital.
Distance from the inland marketFreight costs from the Eastern Cape to Gauteng are a permanent margin drag. When fuel rises or a route degrades, thin-margin manufacturers and distributors feel it before anyone else.
Agricultural cyclesCitrus, wool, mohair, dairy and game operations carry long working capital cycles and real weather risk. A single poor season can turn a solvent farming company into a distressed one.
SARS enforcementOnce a company falls behind on VAT or PAYE, collection steps tend to arrive faster than the recovery does.

Is Your Business Facing These Challenges?

You are not alone. Thousands of South African business owners face these pressures every year — and most can be resolved through business rescue if you act in time.

When cash flow dries up, creditors are at your door, or liquidation feels unavoidable, it is overwhelming. You have invested years — sometimes decades — building your company. The thought of losing it all is devastating.

But there is still a way forward — if you act now. Business rescue under Chapter 6 of the Companies Act provides a legally protected pathway to restructure, stabilise, and recover. SAAC has guided over 130 companies through this process.

The single most important thing you can do right now is speak to a licensed practitioner. It costs nothing to have that conversation, and it could save everything.

Talk to a Practitioner Now
Cash Flow Crisis Unable to meet monthly obligations, payroll, or supplier payments
Creditor & SARS Pressure Demand letters, judgments, or SARS enforcement action against your business
Threat of Liquidation A creditor has applied for, or is threatening, liquidation proceedings
Employee & Stakeholder Risk Jobs at risk, key staff leaving, or supplier relationships breaking down

Business Rescue That Works

We specialise in helping South African companies avoid liquidation and regain stability through proven, legally structured rescue strategies.

Legal Protection from Creditors

Immediate moratorium on creditor claims under Chapter 6 of the Companies Act — buying you the time and space to restructure.

Credible Restructuring Plans

Bespoke business rescue plans developed by experienced practitioners — realistic, legally compliant, and stakeholder-approved.

Creditor Negotiations

Expert negotiation with banks, SARS, suppliers, and landlords to restructure debt and preserve stakeholder value.

Turnaround & Recovery

Operational restructuring, cash flow management, and post-rescue support to restore profitability and long-term stability.

Your Path to Stability — 4 Steps

From your first confidential call to full recovery, we guide you through every step of the business rescue process.

1

Confidential Assessment

We start by understanding your unique situation — finances, creditors, operations, and options — in complete confidence.

2

Tailored Rescue Plan

We develop a legally compliant rescue plan designed to stabilise your business and protect employees, creditors, and shareholders.

3

Engage & Negotiate

We handle all creditor negotiations, court filings, and legal protections — so you can focus on running the business.

4

Recover & Rebuild

We guide you through execution, monitor progress, and provide ongoing support until your business is back on solid ground.

Tiaan Herbst — Senior Business Rescue Practitioner, SAAC
Licensed BRP · CIPC Registered
"

Having gone through the same experience of starting SAAC, I feel your pain. I can remember those days and nights when business demanded too much — up early trying to crack problems, often pondering if success would come tomorrow. It's understandable, but now you know you are not alone. This is where SAAC comes in: so that one does not ever arrive at such a point, overpowered or left in darkness when business challenges hit.

Big businesses or small, no matter the industry, we stand as a reliable ally. We do more than business rescue, restructuring, or distressed turnarounds — we provide something invaluable: hope and support when things are tough.

Tiaan Herbst
Senior Business Rescue Practitioner · PTP (BA) Hons MBA
CIPC Licensed 125 Documented Engagements R395m Raised MBA Qualified Nationwide Practice

Frequently Asked Questions

Every business is different, but some questions come up again and again. Here are quick answers to help guide your next step.

Absolutely — and we strongly encourage it. A preliminary conversation is completely free, confidential, and carries no obligation whatsoever. Many clients find that speaking to a practitioner early opens options they did not know existed. You can call us directly on 082 787 9298 or submit the form above and we will contact you within 2 business hours.
Costs vary depending on the size and complexity of your business. Practitioner fees are typically structured as a combination of a monthly retainer and a success fee — and in many cases, post-commencement finance (PCF) can be arranged to fund the rescue process itself. The initial assessment is always free. We will give you a clear cost estimate during your first consultation so there are no surprises.
The Companies Act requires a business rescue plan to be published within 25 business days of the practitioner's appointment. The overall process — from commencement to conclusion — typically takes between 3 and 18 months depending on complexity. What matters most is acting quickly: the sooner rescue proceedings begin, the more options remain available to you.
Liquidation ends the company — assets are sold, employees lose their jobs, and creditors receive cents in the rand. Business rescue is designed to save the company: it provides a temporary moratorium on creditor claims, allows the business to continue trading, and gives management and practitioners the opportunity to restructure and recover. Creditors almost always receive a better return through rescue than liquidation. Business rescue is the preferred outcome for all stakeholders.
Yes. SARS debt is one of the most common triggers for business rescue proceedings. Once a company is placed under business rescue, a moratorium applies to SARS enforcement actions as well. Our practitioners have extensive experience negotiating with SARS as part of the rescue plan, including structured payment arrangements and compromise agreements. Do not wait for SARS to escalate — contact us immediately.

Don't Wait Until It's Too Late

Every day you delay, your options narrow and risks grow. Business rescue is only available to companies that are financially distressed — not yet insolvent. The window to act is now.

Request Your Free Confidential Assessment
✓ Thank you! A practitioner will contact you within 2 business hours.

Contact SAAC Directly

Our practitioners are available for immediate consultation. Call, email, or visit one of our offices.

Call Us Now

Immediate availability for urgent situations

082 787 9298 011 881 5533 021 141 7744

Johannesburg Office

West Tower, 2nd Floor
Nelson Mandela Square
Maude Street, Sandton 2146

011 881 5533

Cape Town / Stellenbosch

Ground Floor, The Vineyard Office Park
Building 2B, Devon Valley Road
Stellenbosch 7600

021 141 7744