The City took decisive action by cutting off water supply and electricity connections to large users who collectively owe over R1 billion in municipal services, as part of its proactive credit control campaign yesterday, 18 April 2024. With the City facing a mounting and unsustainable debt exceeding R52 billion, this campaign aims to address the issue head-on by targeting major residential estates, investment firms, hospitals, car dealerships, and a university, among others, who contribute to the City’s growing list of defaulters. Tebogo Moraka, the Group Chief Financial Officer, asserts that the City is taking a firm stance against persistent defaulters who evade their obligations to pay their dues. “The City is intensifying its efforts through an aggressive citywide credit control campaign, specifically targeting customers who evade payment. Our message is unequivocal: the City will pursue all persistent defaulters who refuse to engage with us regarding their outstanding debts,” says Moraka.

He emphasises that the City is leveraging all available resources to tackle the substantial debt, including service cutoffs, blacklisting defaulters, legal action to recover owed amounts, and sales in execution.

In a recent victory for the City, two upscale residential estates were ordered by the high court to pay commercial/business tariffs, acknowledging the city’s stance that fairness and compliance are paramount.

“We are encouraged by the court’s decision, which underscores the need to uphold the rule of law within the City,” adds Moraka.

Property owners facing challenges in servicing their accounts are urged to engage with the City to avoid disconnection by arranging payment plans and signing an acknowledgment of debt.

Customers may pay using any of the listed methods below: 

•  e-Joburg Portal: www.e-joburg.org.za
• With EasyPay, facilitating a quick payment option at many shops that you visit on a regular basis, including Pick n Pay and Shoprite Checkers
• Debit orders
• Direct deposits at major banks
• ATMs
• Internet and cell phone banking
• SA Post Office
• Any Council pay-point (Customer Service Centre) – listed below:

Midrand Civic Centre – 300 – 15th Road, Midrand.

• Sandton Civic Centre – 24 Fredman Drive, Sandton.
• Roodepoort City Hall – C/o Berlandina and Dieperink Streets, Roodepoort.
• Eureka House – C/o Marlborough Street & Rosettenville Road, Wemmerpan.
• Lenasia Civic Centre – C/o Rose Avenue & Eland Street, Lenasia Ext 2.
• Thuso House, 61 Jorissen Street, Braamfontein
• Ennerdale Ext 9 – C/o Katz Road & Smit Street, Ennerdale.
• Eldorado Customer Service Centre – 4046 Link Crescent Ave, Ext 5, Eldorado Park.
• Randburg (Civic Centre), Braamfischer drive and Jan Smuts Road, Randburg

Customers who wish to make payment arrangements and do not wish to visit any of the abovementioned walk-in-centres may contact the City’s Credit Control Department by emailing them on creditcontrol@joburg.org.za

 

Written by Nkosana Lekotjolo

19/04/2024

 

Joburg Pulse Radio: https://www.joburg.org.za/media_/Pages/Radio-pulse.aspx