Residents are encouraged to use the City’s Debt Relief Programme which closes on 31 December.

CUSTOMERS have just under two months to benefit from the City’s recently re-instated Debt Relief Programme. The programme, which ends on 31 December 2023, benefits residential and business customers and also includes non-profit
organisations. It, however, excludes government institutions and parastatals. The above categories of customers’ debt must be 90 days or older. A down payment of five percent for residential and 10 percent for business customers must
be made.

An agreement will be signed, and the accumulated interest will be written off. Customers have up to 36 months to settle all outstanding debt. Head of the Revenue Management Unit Lihle Ndzelu said the Municipality recognises the severe financial strain that some residents are facing. “The programme was previously approved and implemented from December 2022 to February 2023, and we have decided to reinstate it as customers have asked for it.

As a caring city, we must do all we can to alleviate the financial burden on the Municipality's valued residents.” Ndzelu stated that once the arrangement is made, customers have to honour it. “If a customer defaults on payment or pays less than the required instalment, all written-off interest will be reinstated.” The programme also benefits NPOs, including old age homes and homes for people with disabilities, mental hospitals, Early Childhood Development Centres, and others. They will be granted a substantial 50 percent capital debt writeoff once they enter into a payment arrangement.

This benefit is conditional on these organisations not falling into arrears within a period of 12 months after settling their debts. Customers may approach their nearest Sizakala Centre for more information and are encouraged to provide all supporting documentation when applying for the programme.