A big deadline is coming for South Africans with municipal debt

Joburg residents with outstanding municipal accounts have been given a final warning to apply for debt relief before applications close at the end of October.

The programme is intended to help customers experiencing financial difficulties address historical municipal debt, rehabilitate their accounts and return them to good standing.

So far, the City has received 18 043 applications, representing around R2.052 billion in outstanding municipal debt across various customer categories.

How to apply for Joburg municipal debt relief

Residents can apply through the following official channels:

• Visit a City of Johannesburg Revenue Customer Service Centre for assistance with the application and supporting documents.
• Visit joburg.org.za and select the Debt Relief Programme link or icon to access the application information and online process.

Applicants are urged to make sure their information is accurate and that all required supporting documents are included.

Kgamanyane Maphologela, Director of Communications and Stakeholder Management in Group Finance, said early applications would give the City enough time to assess submissions before the deadline.

Debt relief is not automatic

The City has stressed that the programme is not a blanket cancellation of municipal debt.

Applications will be assessed individually according to the approved eligibility requirements and conditions of Phase 4. There are several important conditions residents should be aware of:

• Applying does not guarantee approval. Applicants must meet the relevant qualifying criteria.
• The amount of relief varies. It depends on the customer category, qualifying debt and programme conditions.
• Current accounts still have to be paid. Customers must continue paying their monthly municipal charges as required.
• Complete documentation is essential. Incomplete applications could cause delays or affect the assessment process.
• Beware of scams. Residents should use official City channels and avoid anyone promising guaranteed approval in exchange for payment.

The City also warned that debt relief must be accompanied by sustainable payment behaviour to prevent new municipal arrears from building up.