2012-03-20: City stepping up its credit control action
MUNICIPAL account holders are advised that they should bring their arrear accounts up to date to avoid being cut off. This relates to all municipal services accounts (i.e. Electricity, Water, Rates & Taxes and Refuse).
"Levels of non-payment have increased dramatically over the past eight months and we are preparing to issue 22 000 final letters of demand in cases where account holders have not logged queries on their accounts by the end of February 2012. We urge customers to come forward and settle their accounts or make the necessary payment arrangements to avoid having the services disconnected," says Maphologela
Payment of services is critical in ensuring that the city is able continue to provide services.
The municipal bill allows 21 days from the due date for payment. Thereafter an account is considered to be in arrears. The City further extends customers another 20 days during which the City will issue customers with a final letter of demand and a cut-off notice. Failure on behalf of the customer to either settle the outstanding amount or enter into an agreed arrangement results in a level one disconnection of services related to the account and legal action.
The City provides favourable settlement arrangements to customers whose accounts are in arrears. There are also substantial benefits offered on outstanding accounts in exchange for settlement. Various options may be exercised by customers and including the following:
1. Debt Arrangements
As of 1 April 2012, customers signing an acknowledgement of debt with the City will not be required to pay a deposit. The arrangement term has also been extended from 12 months to 24 months; with necessary cases being allowed up to 30 months based on consultation and review of affordability.
Customers who default on their arrangements will immediately be entered in the credit control queue and services will be terminated without prior notice.
2. Interest Reversals
The City does recognise that the current financial environment has placed huge pressure on rate-payers. While tariffs and taxes are strictly governed, the City has looked at mechanisms to assist with mounting arrears. Hence the decision to write off the interest accrued on the services component of the bill. The offer, which starts on 1 April 2012 and ends on 30 May 2012, affords customers in arrears for over 60 days the opportunity to settle their outstanding accounts in full with a 100% reversal of all interest on the account.
"The City would like to reiterate and remind customers that their accounts are payable on or before the due date. It is important to pay in full and on time to avoid having credit control action," says Maphologela. "We have cash payment facilities across the city and customers can also pay either at their bank branches, through the ATM system or via their internet banking facilities."
Customers may in taking up either the interest reversal offer or zero deposit payment arrangement can visit the following Customer service centers from 1 April to 30 May 2012 between 07h30 and 15h30 during week, and 08h00 to 11h00 on Saturdays:
Thuso House Customer Service Center
Roodepoort City Hall
Dobsonville Customer Service Center
Midrand Customer Service Center
Randburg Customer Service Center
Roodepoort Civic Center
Jabulani Civic Center
Lenasia Civic Center
Eldorado Park Customer Service Center
Ennerdale ext 9 Customer Service Center
Customers that have queries can log a query with Joburg Connect at (011) 375-5555 or email them at joburgconnect@joburg.org.zaThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots.
Issued by:
Kgamanyane Maphologela
Acting Director: Customer Communications
Revenue & Customer Relations Management Department
Phone: 011 358 3420
Fax: 011 358 3639
Cell: 082 771 4874
Email: stanmapho@joburg.org.za
