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Elders_rebates[1].jpgThe City of Johannesburg has offered to backdate pensioner rates rebates to July 1. MMC for Finance, Cllr Funzela Ngobeni, this week confirmed that the City’s offer will expire on September 30, meaning that pensioners only had until Sunday to take advantage of the offer.​

MMC Ngobeni said the offer to backdate the rates rebate was intended to provide relief to pensioners amid the current tough economic conditions.

Said MMC Ngobeni: “The implementation of the City’s 2018 General Valuation Roll means that all retired property owners must re-apply for their pensioner rates rebate. In light of this change, the City is offering all qualifying pensioners an opportunity to have their rebate backdated to 1 July 2018.

“The offer will expire on 30 September 2018. This means that pensioners only have 10 days from today to submit their application forms. The City is committed to offering our pensioners some form of relief amid the tough economic times. This is an appeal to all pensioners to apply and not miss the opportunity to get their rebate backdated.”

The City’s plea for pensioners to apply and claim their rebate comes after MMC Ngobeni undertook an oversight visit to Thuso House Customer Care Centre, last Wednesday, to understand the experiences of pensioners.


Some of the challenges experienced by applicants include:

•            Pensioners are not aware of the mandatory documents required for registrations;

•            Health issues impact their ability to visit our centres to apply; and

•            The expense of transportation to travel to register at their local regional offices;


Ngobeni said his department would overcome these challenges by working around the clock to ensure that qualifying pensioners were accommodated.

During the visit, MMC Ngobeni learned that 9000 applications for rebates had been received since July at Thuso House alone.

In a bid to overcome these challenges on time, the department is working around the clock to ensure that pensioners who qualify are accommodated.

Officials from the department would visit several sites, including local municipal offices, clinics and libraries this week, as well as to bedridden pensioners who wish to submit their applications before the deadline.