City of Johannesburg to bill deposits
The decision to raise the deposits is in line with the City’s bylaws
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – The City of Johannesburg would like to inform customers of accounts that have not been charged deposits for electricity and water services that they will have this deposit billed to their account.
According to City spokesperson, Kgamanyane Maphologela, the decision to raise the deposits is in line with the City’s bylaws and means that customers who have no deposit reflected on their account will be required to pay an average of two months billing for their metered services.
Deposits are raised on accounts as security in payment of any charges, which are due or become due. This is in line with the Credit control and debt collection bylaw promulgated in May 2005, and which the City implemented from February 2006 as outlined below.
Section 391)(d) City of Johannesburg Credit Control and Debt Collection By-laws of 2005 provides:
“No municipal service may be provided to any applicant, unless and until an amount equal to the amount prescribed… has been deposited as security or other security, as prescribed, has been furnished.”
Furthermore, Section 33.1 of the City’s Credit Control and Debt Collection policy provides: “All account holders shall pay a deposit for the supply of electricity and/or water by the City calculated as the rate of the deemed consumption for a period of two months in respect of the property in question.”
Section 33.4 of the City of Johannesburg Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy provides that:
“Where a deposit has not been paid to the City by the account holder for whatever reason, water and electricity may be disconnected until such time as an account holder agreement has been signed and the applicable deposit has been paid.”
The City piloted this project from February in various regions and customers were duly informed but chose to ignore the request. Therefore, the City is obliged to enforce these bylaws.
The City is aware of the financial impact that this will have on customers and is offering a payment plan, payable over six months for customers who have difficulty paying the lump sum.
Customers can make such arrangements at any Customer Service Centre in Johannesburg.
Should you have any more queries, please contact the Call Centre on 0860 Joburg or visit your nearest Customer Service Centre.
