Customers with debt urged to approach city for Covid-19 relief

ETHEKWINI Municipality has urged customers to approach the city regarding their debt relief options before all programmes end on 30 June.

According to a press release issued by the municipality, customers can visit their nearest Sizakala Centre or Customer Services Centre to settle their debts or start a payment plan with the municipality.

“A customer may benefit from the Covid-19 Relief Programme if their debt is 90 days and older. The payment plan agreement entered into between the customer and the municipality will not exceed 24 months and is based on a customer’s affordability.

“A down-payment of five per cent for residential customers and 10 per cent for business customers of the total debt may be required to be paid upfront, with the historical interest accumulated written off,” read the statement. 

The city added that no future interest will be raised on this debt until it is paid in full, provided the customer complies with the conditions of the agreement.

This option is open for all customers of eThekwini Municipality, be it business or residential.

With the Covid-19 Special Rates Relief for Bed and Breakfast and guesthouse establishments, the City further extends Covid-19 relief to the property owners of bed and breakfast and guesthouses; set at an additional rebate of 14 per cent and 39 per cent respectively and totaling 64 percent for each property category.

“ In addition to the set requirements the applicant must be able to demonstrate, by means of supporting documents to the satisfaction of the Chief Financial Officer or his delegate in terms of the approved System of Delegations, that it has suffered and continues to suffer financial loss of more than 60 per cent revenue,” read the statement.

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The City said customers whose applications were approved for this relief before 30 June 2020, do not have to re-apply, as the relief will automatically continue until the end of June.

The application forms are obtainable from www.durban.gov.za and all queries may be submitted to https://correspondence.durban.gov.za:200/.

Customers are encouraged to register for indigent support and receive free services.

Qualifying customers may apply for indigent support and will be entered onto the City’s Indigent Register.

Customers who occupy properties valued at R500 000 and less may benefit from this programme and receive free monthly services such as:

• 6kl of water restricted by flow limiter;

• 150 kWh of electricity;

• Sewage and refuse disposal;

• Property rates exemption;

• Total write-off on historical debt and

• Exemption of interest on any future debt.

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