​The City will waiver 100 percent of interest previously charged for rates should customers settle their municipal debt in full.

Cllr Jolidee Matongo, the MMC for Finance says the municipality is offering a reduced payment option should customers enter a payment arrangement, with only 10 percent of the debt required. Customers will also not be subjected to affordability checks.

Cllr Matongo says the offer is only valid until 30 September 2020. “We call on ratepayers in financial distress to approach the City for alternative payment arrangements to avoid penalties when the municipality resumes full credit control measures on outstanding municipal accounts," he pleads.

The current dispensation comes shortly after the relaxation of Covid-19 lockdown regulations to allow municipalities to resume full credit control measures on outstanding accounts to boost revenue collection for the sustainability of service delivery.

Credit control assistance offered to ratepayers' hard-hit by the lockdown include payment arrangements that enable a minimum amount in a form of instalments over a longer period.

“Since the beginning of the lockdown, the City has been affording ratepayers relaxed payment terms to assist customers in financial distress to settle their debt in full or pay their outstanding debt over a longer period," Matongo says.

Ratepayers who need to enter into a payment arrangement may send their requests to creditcontrol@joburg.org.za or visit their nearest Customer Service Centre.

“The City appeals to municipal account holders not to ignore pre-termination notices issued because of overdue accounts, but to take advantage of the credit control assistance being offered to avoid penalties," the MMC emphasises.

Cllr Matongo says the termination of municipal services will be carried out within a credit control legal framework that includes the issuing of a pre-termination notice, followed up with a disconnection notice and a subsequent cut-off of services for accounts in arrears but without payment arrangements.

“All ratepayers in debt are therefore requested to contact the City immediately should they have already received such notices to avoid further penalties."

Customers with account queries may visit any Regional Customer Service Centre for further assistance using any of the following contact details: