City refutes rumours of court interdict in ratepayers’ battle
The city has responded to a social media post claiming victory in the Westville Ratepayers' case.
THE eThekwini Municipality has disputed rumours of a court interdict that prevents them from disconnecting services to those boycotting payments. This comes after there have been posts circulating on social media that suggest a victory for the Westville Ratepayers’ Association (WRA) as the court’s interdict prohibits eThekwini from disconnecting services to them while they boycott paying for services.
This comes after the ratepayers announced a court application stating that they are still in the application process to prevent the municipality from disconnecting people who are participating in the ongoing boycott.
Also read: Ratepayers embark on court journey
“We must make it clear, we are still in the application stage, and the matter is on the ordinary roll to be heard on November 1. Should the municipality go ahead with disconnections on any of our members in the dispute, the WRA/ERPM will make this application urgent. This is an application to interdict the eThekwini Municipality from implementing any of its debt collection and credit control measures, specifically disconnecting the electricity and water supply,” said chairperson Asad Gaffer.
eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Gugu Sisilana stated that there is no interdict but an application for an interdict which their Legal Department is attending to.
“Through the Office of the Speaker, a series of engagements with ratepayers led by Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda are currently taking place throughout the City to assure them of our commitment to provide quality services. We encourage residents to continue paying their accounts as non-payment will attract interest,” said Sisilana.
Also read: Ratepayers boycott paying rates after tariff increase
The municipality said they will continue implementing credit control measures in line with the relevant policies and municipal by-laws where accounts are in arrears.
“This includes disconnections which attract a reconnection fee, provided there is no tampering with the meter. If there are illegal connections, the meter will be removed, and the application process will have to be followed by the customer to get a new meter.
“Accordingly, the longer that payments are delayed, the greater the amount to be paid, and services will possibly be disrupted in terms of the policy,” they said.
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