JMPD denies municipal defaulters face roadblock arrest
The Johannesburg metro police moved to clarify reports on its new project to issue outstanding municipal rates bills at roadblocks.
The pilot project was launched outside Johannesburg Zoo on Saturday, where metro police officers checked motorists’ IDs for outstanding municipal debts.
Metro police spokesperson Xolani Fihla says motorists with outstanding municipal bills will not be arrested.
He says the project is aimed at making it more convenient for residents to settle their outstanding accounts.
It is also meant to help the city regain the R48 billion owed to it.
“The JMPD formed part of the multi-pronged city operation together with various departments in the city, especially the revenue team at a roadblock at Jan Smuts Avenue in Randburg, where officers were not only checking for outstanding traffic fines, driver and vehicle fitness but motorists had an opportunity to enquire and even settle any outstanding municipal bills,” said Fihla.
“Motorists that have any unpaid rates and taxes will not be arrested by the JMPD. This is done to enhance the city’s service delivery process”.
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