City has written off R1,9bn in debt, R1,8bn worth of assistance still available
20 September 2021
The debt write-off incentive action was taken due to the continued impact of Covid-19 on lives and livelihoods and the much slower than expected economic recovery over the past year.
‘The City’s latest payment ratio is approximately 98% which shows that the majority of residents and businesses are paying their municipal accounts and we thank them sincerely for this. However, assistance in the form of interest free payment arrangements is available to those residents and businesses that have been severely impacted by Covid-19 and the national lockdown.
‘We are pleased with the R1,9 billion uptake on the special historic debt write-off but we have R1,8 billion still available to assist residents with historic debt, to act as an incentive to improve the culture of payment, and keep the municipality strong and healthy to continue with the provision of services.
‘This is in addition to our R3,4 billion indigent relief that is available for registered indigent households. Our message is: there is help on offer, and residents and businesses should approach the City to see what we are able to offer. Customers are urged to contact the City so that their case can be evaluated,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Alderman Ian Neilson.