Let’s face it when any one offers deeply discounted rates in order to recover long outstanding debt very little revenue enhancement will occur for very few people. Often those deep in debt cannot even afford those deep discounts but with elections around the corner we have many proposals coming to the fore to make our political masters visible and lauded for giving away more than a T-Shirt or a Streetwise 2!
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Budget and Treasury, Cllr Khanya Ngqisha, together with Acting Senior Director for Revenue Management, Joel Swartz, hosted a press briefing today at the Council Chambers in City Hall to officially launch the Municipality’s Revenue Enhancement Programme.
NMBM Acting Senior Director for Revenue Management, Joel Swartz, unpacked the details of the Revenue Enhancement Programme’s Relief Dispensation, aimed at assisting struggling residents and businesses in settling their municipal debt while restoring a culture of payment.
The key terms of the Relief Dispensation include:
Validity Period: 18 June 2025 – 30 September 2025
50% Debt Write-Off:
- A once-off write-off of 50% of total arrears
- The write-off is parked (held in abeyance) until the remaining 50% is fully paid
Down payment: A 2.5% deposit is required on the remaining 50% debt
Flexible Payment Arrangements: Pay the balance over 12 months or less, interest-free
Available to:
- Residential customers
- Small businesses
- Faith-based organisations and NGOs
Immediate Benefits: Opportunity to restore service access and improve credit standing with the Municipality once all requirements are met in respect of the campaign successfully
Strict Conditions Apply:
- Missing a single instalment may result in the full reversal of the 50% write-off
- Enforcement actions will resume for non-compliant accounts
“This programme is a vital opportunity for residents and businesses to catch up on overdue accounts, avoid legal action, and partner with the Municipality in building a sustainable and financially resilient city. Residents are minded that government accounts, councillors and municipal officials are excluded from the above,” stated Swartz.
“The municipality has resumed all enforcement mechanisms. Once a 50% debt write-off is granted, residents and businesses have 12 months to pay the remaining balance — missing even one installment will reverse the write-off. This program is more than financial relief; it’s a reset to restore trust between the municipality and its people. It offers hope to residents, small businesses, faith-based organisations, and informal traders struggling with debt, while expecting responsible payment in return. However, the Metro is also intensifying enforcement. A recent operation targeted high-usage, non-paying businesses, many of whom were found stealing electricity through illegal connections. This will not be tolerated — everyone must pay their fair share to improve services for all,” stated MMC Ngqisha.
