eThekwini Municipality's debt relief programme collects R1 billion
The Durban City Hall serves as the seat of local government, the eThekwini Municipality.
Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers
The eThekwini Municipality's recent debt relief programme was highly successful with about R 1 billion collected during the period.
The municipality said in a statement on Wednesday that the amount collected was tabled in a close-out report before the finance portfolio committee.
Mayor Cyril Xaba said the 50% special debt write-off programme, implemented by the municipality from May to June this year, was a strategic intervention to enhance the City’s revenue and alleviate the financial burden on residents.
“What is important to highlight is that more than 18 000 struggling customers received meaningful financial relief, which demonstrates that we are a caring government that is eager to help customers who are contending with the high cost of living,” said Xaba.
The report on the programme comes after two professional bodies recently wrote to Xaba to appeal for the programme to be extended. The Black Lawyers Association and the KwaZulu-Natal Legal Practitioners Association said the programme addressed serious challenges that had been stifling the property sector.
Xaba said the City will continue to be firm in implementing credit control to ensure that people pay for the services they used.
He thanked all customers who took advantage of the programme to settle their debts as he said the City uses the same funds to maintain and expand the delivery of basic services.
Meanwhile the municipality said in a separate statement that it was in the final stages of implementing the approved tariff adjustments for the 2025/26 financial year.
“These changes will be reflected in the second billing cycle, scheduled for 20 August 2025. During the first billing cycle, a technical issue led to some discrepancies between the approved tariffs and those reflected on some accounts. We have since resolved the matter, and any differences, whether over or under, will be automatically corrected in the upcoming billing cycle.
“The municipality remains dedicated to ensuring accuracy and transparency in all billing processes and thanks residents for their ongoing support. The municipality urges customers with any billing related queries to visit their nearest Sizakala Customer Services Centre,” the statement read.