Create a payment plan or face disconnection, warns eThekwini

THE eThekwini Municipality has warned residents to either pay their service fees if they want to avoid disconnection.

“While the city understands the plight of those that have been financially affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the current Sars Cov-2 strain, customers are to note that the eThekwini Municipality has shown compassion in these trying times, but will not hesitate to implement the Credit Control Policy and disconnect services of those customers who do not pay,” said the city in a statement.

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The city also announced that their Covid-19 debt relief, which was announced last year, will now conclude on 30 June 2021.

“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,” said Peet du Plessis, Head of Revenue Management at eThekwini Municipality.

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A customer may benefit on 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.

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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 cent for each property category.

“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,” said Du Plesis.

He said 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.

This programme will also conclude on 30 June 2021.  

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting

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Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za). At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.  

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