By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The City of Johannesburg says residents will not be charged interest on late payments for municipal services for the last two months.
This after the city’s failed to issue municipal bills in March and April due to system maintenance.
The city’s Finance MMC Dada Morero says residents should not to panic when they receive two bills, reflecting billing for both March and April.
“The April bill will also include customers’ March balance, reflecting any outstanding or paid amounts. This means that customers may have a credit, or an outstanding amount, in their April statements, depending on each customer’s circumstance.
“Customers who had chosen a fixed payment due date may also receive their March statement this month, reflecting due dates that have already passed.”
Morero says only customers who were owing the city before 28 February will have to pay interest.
“No customer will be charged any interest except for those who owed the city as of 28 February 2023, prior to the system being unavailable.”
Morero said that the city apologises for the inconvenience caused during the system maintenance, but it was necessary so that they would henceforth improve service delivery.
Municipal rates in Joburg have come under intense scrutiny recently in light of the recent update to its general valuation roll and several rate hikes that are open for comment.
Come 1 July, properties across Joburg may face the following proposed increases for the 2023/24 financial year:
- 5.3% average property rate increase;
- 7.0% average proposed refuse increase;
- 9.3% residential post-paid and prepaid water and sanitation increase;
- 18.64% average electricity increase.
In February, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) called for the City of Joburg to review property valuations to ensure they are fair. This increase in rates and taxes adds to the financial strain on consumers who are already facing high-interest rates, inflation, and a cost of living crisis.