Create a payment plan or face disconnection, warns eThekwini
While the city says it understands the plight of those who have been financially affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, it will not hesitate to disconnect services of those customers who do not pay.
ETHEKWINI Municipality has advised customers to apply for its Covid-19 Relief Programme and enter into a payment plan agreement.
Failure to do so will result in the city implementing the Credit Control Policy to disconnect the services of those customers who do not pay.
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Municipality spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela said customers should note that eThekwini Municipality has shown compassion in these trying times as the city understands the plight of those that have been financially affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the current Sars Cov-2 strain.
“The Covid-19 debt relief programme was implemented when the virus reached our shores and has since been extended twice. The programme will now conclude on 30 June 2021,” said Mayisela.
Head of Revenue Management, Peet du Plessis, said, “As a caring city, we decided to extend the programme so that more customers are able to benefit as well as reduce their debt considerably.
“We encourage customers to take full advantage of this option as no interest charges will be raised to their account,” he said.
How does the Covid-19 Debt Relief Plan work?
A customer may benefit from the Covid-19 Relief Programme and enter into a payment plan agreement not exceeding 24 months, with the municipality. Based on affordability, a down-payment of 10 per cent to 25 per cent of the total debt may be required to be paid upfront. The historical interest accumulated will be written off. 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, business or residential.
Relief for guesthouses and Bed and Breakfast establishments
Additionally, the municipality has also considered the impact on the tourism sector and have developed a programme to assist with rates relief to Bed and Breakfast and Guesthouse establishments. They will be granted an additional rebate of 14 per cent and 39 per cent, respectively, totalling to 64 per percent for each property category.
Du Plessis explained that in the case of multiple use properties, rates relief will apply only to the applicable rates categories allocated to the qualifying uses in question, as reflected in the valuation roll. He added that a property owner must be able to demonstrate loss of income by more than 60 per cent and must attach supporting documents. “However, properties registered in the name of or owned by the organ of the State, either partially or wholly, will not qualify for the rates relief,” he said.
This programme will also conclude on 30 June 2021.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
