2006-12-26: Reathusa scheme regisration
Reathusa scheme regisration period ends this weekRead More
MEDIA RELEASE
26 December 2006
Reathusa scheme registration period end this week
Registration for the City of Johannesburg's Reathusa Municipal Account Scheme ends this week on 31st December.
The Reathusa Municipal Account Scheme aims to assist customers who earn R6 500 per month or less and are the breadwinners of their household to pay off the arrears on their municipal accounts.
Mandy Jean Woods, spokesperson for the City's Revenue & Customer Relations Management Department, says "we recognise that people with this level of income have some means to pay, but perhaps not the means to settle huge arrear debts immediately. Therefore, the Reathusa scheme aims to create an incentive for these account holders to begin paying their accounts regularly and, in so doing, create a culture of paying for municipal accounts as a priority."
"We would like to urge our customers who may qualify for the scheme to visit their nearest municipal office (People's Centre or pay-point) and to complete the application process before the deadline on Friday," says Woods.
To register for the Reathusa scheme a customer must sign a formal repayment arrangement for half their outstanding debt and commit to keeping their current account up to date. If they stick to this for the period agreed, they will have the remaining half of their debt written off at the end of the arrangement period.
"The number of registrations and the value of the arrears write-offs indicate that the scheme was well received," says Woods. To-date, Reathusa has arranged to write-off arrears to the value of more than R21 million. The Scheme has seen a steady flow of registrations since its inception in February this year, with almost 3 000 applications having been confirmed.
The Reathusa Scheme also requires successful applicants to apply for pre-paid electricity (from City Power) and water (from Joburg Water) meters within 12 months of their application being approved. Installation of pre-paid water meters will be in accordance with Johannesburg Water's implementation programme. The cost of the actual meter must be paid by the customer, but the installation costs will be paid by the relevant utility company," says Woods.
Ends
Issued by
Mandy Jean Woods
Acting Director: Customer Communications
Revenue & Customer Relationship Management
City of Johannesburg
Tel: (011) 358-3420
Fax: (011) 358-3639
Cel: 082 553 4211 (please send sms if urgent) E-mail: mandyw@joburg.org.za
