Abe Attwell was smiling as he told City of Johannesburg officials: “I thought I wouldn’t get any help, but I found kind, helpful people willing to help an old man. I am relieved.”

This follows a News 24 media report on 20 February during which the City of Johannesburg was criticised for allegedly slapping84-year-old Attwell  with a bill of R185 000 after he fixed a burst Joburg Water pipe.
 
The MMC of Finance, Julie Suddaby, immediately started investigating the story and the facts around the Media 24 report and invited Attwell and his son, David, to meet Lufuno Mashau, the Acting Head of Revenue for city.

Attwell pays his bill every month, but being a pensioner pays what he can. He has also never availed himself of the pensioner benefits that his age allows him. He was aware of his payment arrangements with the City but unaware of how his bill kept escalating due to his monthly shortfall payments since 2015 on all his city services.
 
Mashau quickly assured them that the City of Johannesburg cared and explained and that there were programmes in place to help him. The City’s Revenue Services has committed to providing Attwell with all necessary forms to apply for his pensioner’s benefits.

Attwell was delighted that his monthly payment would align with what he could pay, and his debt wouldn't deepen.

Mashau also indicated that if Council approved the start of another Debt Rehabilitation programme, with Mr. Attwell's positive payment record, his debt should be cleared in three years.

The Johannesburg City Council has approved another tranche of Debt Rehabilitation to start on 1 March 2022.
 
Mashau urged Attwell and others in a similar predicament to:
• Talk directly to the City about billing issues. City officials will help you without paying a third party extra money to solve the problem.
• Ensure you get a reference number, and remember that you might need to allow the City 90 days to solve the problem because there are other stakeholders involved at times.
• The City cares for its residents, but if it cannot assist if it does not know your problem or if you even have one. Speak out sooner rather than later.
• If you are experiencing problems in getting a resolution, please speak to the City's Revenue Services through the nearest walk-in centre. They have all the information on your account. The City has several walk-in centres in all regions. To get more information on our website www.joburg.org.za
 
If you have a query that is over 90 days old, you can send your information, complete with account details and reference number, to email: mmc.finance@joburg.org.za.
 
For service-related queries about Johannesburg Roads Agency, Pikitup, Water, Electricity Supply, Parks, Metro Bus, or general questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the City’s Call Centre on 0860 Joburg (562874)
 
ENDS
 
For media queries, please contact:
Michelle Ashburner
Deputy Director: Communications & Stakeholder Management
Office of the MMC for Finance
071 222 0977
011 087 0627 | MichelleA@joburg.org.za

28/02/2022