With the Covid-19 economy taking a battering and with many households and businesses struggling to meet municipal bills, the city treasurer has urged consumers to knock on its doors and make payment arrangements or Durban’s eThekwini Municipality will be forced to cut off electricity services.
Dr Krish Kumar encouraged consumers across Durban’s 100km radius to negotiate with officials before Durban Electricity looks at disconnecting households and businesses for non-payment since the start of the coronavirus hard lockdown a year ago. “Customers are encouraged to approach the nearest Sizakala Centres or Customer Services centres to settle their debts or enter into a payment plan, as the municipality will not hesitate to disconnect services, if necessary. The city has not implemented disconnections as we are aware of the tough economic situation faced by most residents, ratepayers and businesses,’’ Dr Kumar said. Head of Revenue Management, Peet du Plessis, said: “This is a very positive stance by the Municipality to assist consumers that are battling with arrears and will assist in consumers managing their affordability. The City has not disconnected services because we understand the plight of consumers but we will implement the Credit Control Policy if we deem it necessary.”
He outlined the issue:
• Customers may settle their debt through the City’s Debt Relief Programme or they can register for indigent support and receive free services. The debt relief programme ends at the end of this financial year, June 2021 and will not be extended further.
• 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 5 percent to 10 percent of the total debt may be required to be paid upfront.
• The historical unpaid 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.
• Qualifying customers may apply for indigent support and be entered into the City’s indigent register. Customers who occupy properties valued at R500 000 and less and have a household income of R3650 or less, may benefit in this programme and receive free monthly services which include 6kl of water restricted by a flow limiter, 150 kWh of electricity, sewage and refuse disposal, property rates exemption, total write-off on historical debt and exemption of interest on any future debt.
• The qualifying criteria for the indigent support registration outlines that the customers total household income must not exceed the amount determined by the Council, which is R3650 per month currently, their property’s maximum market value must not exceed R500 000 and must be a registered customer of the residential property. In addition, the applicant must convert to the prepaid metering system and must complete a prescribed application form and attach all required documentation.
Du Plessis added: “We urge customers in debt to take advantage of our debt recovery programmes so that they are able to consistently pay their utility bill. This will eliminate the scenario of their debts escalating each month.”
On the water supply issue, Umgeni Water has warned that the utility will disconnect water supplies to municipalities that fail to pay their bills. Previously, Durban has poured cold water over fake news about giving consumers a payment holiday during the 21-day hard lockdown, or had offered any relief on charges.
The city said residential and business utility accounts would be charged as “normal’’.
However, no interests will be charged during the Covid-19 pandemic year.
During the lockdown, the mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, pledged that the city would not disconnect municipal services to customers.
