City of Tshwane kicks off campaign to collect R8.6bn debt

The City of Tshwane will kick off a campaign on Wednesday at the Thuong Service Centre in Mamelodi West, east of Pretoria, to collect about R8.6 billion in outstanding debt from its customers.

The campaign will inform customers of the importance of paying for municipal services.

City of Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the revenue collection campaign was necessary because of the large amount owed to the municipality.

“Top on the arrears list is R4.54 billion, which is the highest amount, owed by residential customers.

“The business customers come second, with a gross outstanding amount of R2.28 billion.

“A further liability is attributed to government and inactive customer debts, which stand at R824 million and R661 million, respectively,” Mashigo said,

In November 2014, the previous administration, in a bid to recover R6.5 billion in outstanding debt, disconnected electricity to schools, residential customers, businesses, government departments and embassies.

This was relatively successful.

“This time around, the campaign seeks to create a culture of paying municipal bills by explaining the importance and benefits to the customers.”

Mashigo said that in addition to that, teams from the council would go door-to-door to tell people about the revenue collection campaign.

Those customers who fall within the bracket of “incapable or unable” to pay are invited to engage with the City about their service debts.

Here is the programme for the public/customer engagement sessions to take place in Region 6:

• Mamelodi West Mini Munitoria at Thusong Service Centre on April 19 to 21, 9am to 4pm
• Nellmapius Customer Walk-in Centre on April 24 to 28 from 9am to 4pm
• Eesterust Civic Centre on April 24 to 28 from 9am to 4pm
• Mamelodi East Stanza Bopape Community Centre Ext 5 on May 2 to 5 from 9am to 4pm

//

For more news your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.