City of Tshwane writes off debt
The City of
Tshwane says it has written of almost R400 million in irrecoverable debt for
the poor.
Tshwane municipal spokesperson, Samkelo Mgobozi, says the debt could not be recovered from the indigent people.
"We felt it important to do this so as to alleviate the burden off the poor people of Tshwane as well as to clear up the debt book."
Mgobozi says the municipality has written off electricity, interest, property rates, VAT, waste management and and water.
The decision was taken during a council meeting on Thursday.
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The cancelling of the residents’ debt is on condition that they begin paying their monthly municipal levies.
"This is a show of good faith that the residents do indeed intend to pay their current account.
"The write off to is to ensure that the municipality work towards building a city that responds to needs of its residents and expands freedom, fairness and opportunity for all,” Mgobozi says.