Care for iMali is Sibanye-Stillwater’s employee indebtedness programme. It helps employees make better financial decisions and reduce their indebtedness.
Care for iMali is a personal debt education programme for employees in the South African operations and stands out as one of our most effective employee assistance efforts. The programme supports financial stability and wellbeing through resources such as training sessions, debt coaching, credit gateway services, debt review, loan consolidation, savings plans, personal goal setting, and measures to prevent debt judgement.
Launched in 2014 at our SA gold operations (after management identified a need for personal finance training), Care for iMali expanded to the SA PGM operations in 2019 following new asset acquisitions.
A key issue addressed by the programme involves emolument attachment orders (EAOs), where a court requires employers to deduct monthly amounts from salaries to cover debts. At Sibanye-Stillwater, these are commonly referred to as “garnishee orders,” which is also a legal term in South Africa and essentially works like an EAO. For clarity, we use “garnishee order” for both cases. The “garnishee” refers to Sibanye-Stillwater, acting as the third party in the debt relationship.
Legally, employers can’t deduct more than 25% of an employee’s salary for garnishee-related debt payments.
Cumulative reduction of garnishee orders
Since the launch of Care for iMali at the SA gold operations in 2014, a total reduction in garnishee orders of 97% (from 4,023 to 114) had been achieved by December 2025. Garnishee orders at our SA PGM operations decreased by 57% between 2019 and 2025 (from 750 to 323).
As at the end of 2025, garnishee orders for Kroondal employees had declined by 91% (from 351 in July 2016 to 30 in December 2025), and at the Rustenburg operation by 72% (from 553 in August 2017 to 156 in December 2025). The cumulative reduction for these operations from July 2017 to the end of December 2025 was 79% (from 904 to 186).
Marikana was included in the Care for iMali programme in March 2020, through which a concerted effort was made to address 350 garnishee orders. By 2025, the number of garnishee orders had reduced to 136, representing a 61% decrease. The Platinum Mile operation was included in the Care for iMali programme in November 2021 and closed the 2025 year with only one active garnishee order.
BECOMING FINANCIALLY SAVVY
Improving lives
A key goal is to be recognised as a force for good. Sibanye-Stillwater combats unethical lending practices and supports employees in managing their finances and building financial resilience. The Care for iMali programme helps employees to save money through better debt management, while raising awareness of the dangers of excessive debt and loan sharks (known locally as mashonisas).
Progress
Training
Employees receive training in collaboration with Debt Control Management (DCM), a reputable company that specialises in financial wellbeing.
Animated audio-visual content (in various languages) is used to communicate the principles of personal financial management to employees, including:
- Budgeting
- Credit
- Vehicle ownership
- Home ownership
- Credit life insurance
- Funeral insurance
- Tax submissions and penalties
- Debt consolidation and debt review
- Garnishee order prevention
SUCCESS STORY: ZITHOBILE
“ I joined the Care for iMali programme in 2020 when I was over-indebted and needed assistance. From my first visit, I was welcomed and supported, and my financial situation was assessed through a detailed budget review. I was then guided through the process of applying for debt review. Over a five-year period, with the ongoing support of a Care for iMali coach, I was able to pay off all my accounts. Today, I am debt-free. I want to encourage Sibanye-Stillwater employees to make use of this programme, as it will help them become debt-free and find a solution to their financial challenges.”
SA operations: Indebtedness training
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | Total | SA gold | SA PGM | Total | SA gold | SA PGM | Total | SA gold | SA PGM | Total | SA gold | SA PGM |
| One-day training | 5,305 | 01 | 5,305 | 3,482 | 01 | 3,482 | 1,432 | 01 | 1,432 | 595 | 01 | 595 |
| One-on-one coaching | 5,145 | 2,265 | 2,880 | 4,845 | 2,288 | 2,557 | 4,887 | 2,465 | 2,422 | 4,763 | 2,593 | 2,170 |
| Refresher training | 23,936 | 23,936 | 0 | 26,120 | 26,120 | 0 | 31,478 | 31,478 | 0 | 27,457 | 27,457 | 0 |
| Total | 34,386 | 26,201 | 8,185 | 34,447 | 28,408 | 6,039 | 37,797 | 33,943 | 3,854 | 32,815 | 30,050 | 2,765 |
1 Care for iMali educational videos were introduced at the SA gold operations in 2018, replacing the one-day training
One-on-one coaching
Debt-stressed employees are supported by Care for iMali coaches and have access to debt consolidation and debt review options. The coaches are easily accessible to employees at various sites in the SA operations. Employees experiencing severe debt stress continue to receive one-on-one coaching, as do those seeking to learn more about effective financial budgeting.
In 2025, a total of 5,145 employees attended one-on-one coaching sessions: 2,265 at the SA gold operations and 2,880 at the SA PGM operations.
Garnishee order prevention, instalment reduction and savings
In 2025, our service provider DCM, facilitated arrangements with various creditors for 2,332 arrears accounts referred to debt collectors and mediators. These arrangements enabled employees to settle their debts through manageable instalments, thereby averting potential legal action.
At our SA gold operations, the number of active garnishee orders decreased by 22% year-on-year, from 146 in December 2024 to 114 in December 2025. At our SA PGM operations, the number of active garnishee orders decreased by 10% from December 2024 to December 2025 (from 357 to 323).
Garnishee management has helped employees save R2.22 million since 2014. Total savings for employees at the SA operations in 2025 amounted to R65,577 (R13,137 for SA gold employees and R52,440 for SA PGM employees), which would otherwise have been illegally deducted or overcharged if it were not for this programme.
Additionally, DCM negotiates discounted settlements with creditors on accounts where affordable repayment arrangements have been established, thereby preventing legal action against employees.
Where employees elect to settle their accounts, DCM secures the lowest possible settlement amounts. In 2025, these efforts resulted in savings of R409,609 for 140 employees.
Debt review and consolidation loans
In 2025, 116 employees signed up for debt review at the SA operations, of whom 67 are based at the SA gold operations and 49 at SA PGM operations. A total of 854 employees have successfully completed their debt review since July 2019, of whom 129 did so in 2025.
In 2025, Care for iMali saved 127 employees a total of R635,529 on their settlement amounts. In total, 5,039 employees had signed up for loan consolidation as at the end of December 2025. Furthermore, 133 employees were assisted with Credit Bureau clearances in 2025.
SUCCESS STORY: MCOLOSI
“I would like to express my gratitude to the Care for iMali coach and DCM Group for their incredible support in helping me resolve an adverse account that I believed I would never be free from. Through a consolidation loan, I was able to settle my debt and regain financial freedom. As a result I can now apply to buy a house for my family. This is a dream come true and I can now sleep better at night knowing that I am no longer blacklisted. Through the process the coach was patient and ensured I understood my financial commitments and future planning. I felt valued and respected at every stage of the journey. Today, I stand with a heart full of joy and gratitude.”
Tax assistance
During the 2025 tax season, DCM provided tax support to employees, assisting them in navigating assessments, penalties, and refunds. A total of 160 employees received assistance between October 2024 and December 2025, resulting in significant financial relief.
Through accurate assessments, employees collectively achieved R390,827.30 in tax savings. In addition, DCM successfully negotiated the waiving of R674,000 in administrative penalties for 84 employees, preventing unnecessary financial strain. A further 77 employees benefitted from tax and penalty refunds amounting to R542,091.36.
Home loans
Employees at our SA operations can apply for home loans and home improvement loans through the Wellness Gateway (a software platform), which provides access to more affordable credit, insurance and savings products.
Wellness Gateway supports employees in managing their debt applications by conducting an additional affordability check. This is based on the premise that no employee should, after bond repayments, be left with less than 30% of their take-home pay.
Credit providers on the Wellness Gateway platform support employees by:
- Addressing the root cause of over-indebtedness
- Reducing the cost of debt
- Introducing correct and affordable credit
- Ensuring compliance with guidelines set by Sibanye-Stillwater (for example, that no employee is left with less than 30% take-home pay)
- Ensuring disciplined monthly savings
We continue to support employees in purchasing their own homes, emphasising the importance of being debt-free as a key step.
Home-ownership protects vulnerable groups and aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 9.3, 11.1, and 11.3.
Loans are available for home improvements, home purchases and building materials. All home-improvement loans are managed by an external provider. Applications are validated, and payments are made directly to the vendor through the Wellness Gateway. If the employee is also the contractor, they are required to sign a declaration confirming that funds will be used to purchase materials as quoted.
In 2025, 406 new home loans were granted to employees. The total outstanding balance of all home loans at the end of December 2025 was R221 million.
510 new home-improvement loans were granted during 2025, with a total outstanding balance of R367 million at the end of the year.
The SA PGM operations offer a home-ownership help desk to guide employees through the home-buying process. Employees assess their affordability and creditworthiness; those who do not qualify are referred to the Care for iMali process to improve their prospects of owning a home.
Savings accounts
The Wellness Gateway also offers a range of savings products, including:
- TruSave account (helps to start a savings plan)
- Target Save account (facilitates saving towards a specific goal)
In 2025, a total amount of R5.02 million was allocated to savings (via payroll deductions) for SA operations employees, of which R3.75 million was saved by SA gold operations’ employees and R1.27 million by employees at the SA PGM operations.
SUCCESS STORY: THANDOXOLO
“I approached Care for iMali for assistance with my outstanding tax returns after penalties were repeatedly deducted from my salary. The process was straightforward, and as a result of the support provided, I am now fully tax compliant. In addition, I am due to receive a tax refund from SARS. I am grateful to Care for iMali for their assistance in resolving this matter and for the financial relief it has provided.”
SUCCESS STORY: SINETHEMBA
“I was referred to Care for iMali by one of my colleagues who was helped by them. One of the benefits for me was that their office is close to where I live, so I did not have to travel far. I explained my situation to the Care for iMali coach, including that I had started building a house back home but had run out of funds before completing it. After reviewing my credit profile, we agreed to apply for a loan, which was approved. This helped to complete the house for my family, which was especially important with winter approaching. I am so grateful to Care for iMali. Your support has not only helped me but my whole family as well. May you continue to assist others who need help like I did.”
Exposing contractor companies to the Care for iMali programme
To promote inclusivity in the Care for iMali programme, in 2025 Sibanye-Stillwater encouraged contractor companies to engage with DCM to arrange voluntary participation. Contractor involvement in the programme aligns with our broader commitment to the financial wellbeing of employees and members of local communities.
