The relentless pressure from the Democratic Alliance in eThekwini has finally forced the city’s hand into offering much-needed relief measures to many financially burdened ratepayers. Our unwavering position and call for the city to do right by stressed citizens has resulted in the proposal of a 90-day extension of the Debt relief program for residents and businesses who qualify.

This comes after a recommendation by the city to provide financial relief for severely burdened ratepayers in the city. For the longest time citizens have been made to carry endless financial weight for services which they do not receive. The debt relief program commences from the 1st of April to 31st July 2024.

According to the relief intervention the following comes into effect:
• customers who are 90 days and over in arrears can sign a payment arrangement with a 5% down payment.
• Under the same arrangement this translates to a 10% down payment for businesses.
• Any accumulated interest is to be written off once payment arrangement is entered into.
• Existing customers who are already on a payment arrangement can be afforded this once off opportunity
• The max payment period will be 36 months with no interest.

The reality is that under the ANC-EFF coalition eThekwini’s poor collection rate and debt has resulted in the city’s debt ballooning to R29,5 billion for rates and services.

Ratepayers in eThekwini cannot continue being punished for the ineptness of the city while no heads roll at top tier management level and little to no services are rolled out.

The DA has a plan, as contained in our recently launched provincial manifesto, to turn around the current failed state of service delivery in eThekwini and the province at large. This plan can be realized once citizens vote in a caring, proactive, accountable DA government on the 29th of May.

 

Issued by Cllr Thabani Mthethwa - DA eThekwini Caucus Leader