City of Johannesburg urges residents to continue paying for services
Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Finance councillor Jolidee Matongo said the City is aware of the financial difficulties presented by the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent national lockdown for the municipality and residents.
The City of Johannesburg urges residents to continue paying for rates and services to ensure that the municipality continues to deliver quality services.
Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of the Covid-19 lockdown in March, the City started sending monthly municipal bills through SMSes as part of ensuring residents’ health, safety and adherence to regulations of the Disaster Management Act and the national lockdown.
This is part of the City’s efforts to make it safer, more convenient, and easier for customers to receive, pay and manage their municipal accounts. The SMS contains a link to the actual statement, which can be viewed through a secured portal or sent via email as per customer preferences.
This is how you can pay your municipal bill:
• Internet payments: Most major banks have the City of Johannesburg already pre-loaded as a beneficiary. Your nine digit municipal account number must be used as your unique customer reference number.
• Easy Pay: Pay at any retail outlet, provided it is an Easy Pay facility: Pick n Pay, Shoprite Checkers, Spar and any Easy Pay points, as well as other accredited vendor points.
Remember to retain your slip as proof of payment. Use your previous month’s bill as reference. Pay before the due date to allow for timeous processing of the transaction. Payments will appear after three business days on the City’s billing system.
Residents whose finances have been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and are unable to pay for their rates should make payment arrangements in order to avoid penalties. Contact the City on creditcontrol@joburg.org.za
The City is in the process of reviewing its rates rebates and municipal service charges as part of the expanded social package (ESP) programme to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown on ratepayers.
Furthermore, the ESP recipients are advised that they will continue to receive rebates throughout this period, and there is no need to visit any of the City’s customer services centres to renew the ESP rebates.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance councillor Jolidee Matongo said the City is aware of the financial difficulties presented by the pandemic and the subsequent national lockdown for the municipality and residents.
“In the meantime, we appeal to residents who can still afford to pay their municipal accounts to continue doing so to ensure that the delivery of basic services continues during this difficult time. “It is through working together that we can overcome the challenges we are all facing at this stage,” added Matongo.
