Tshwane embarks on R17bn debt recovery campaign
The City of Tshwane has vowed to step up efforts to recover R17 billion owed to it by customers for the provision of various utility services.
The campaign began on Tuesday, with the city saying it will disconnect all those who are in arrears.
Residential customers owe the city approximately R8 billion while businesses owe an estimated R4 billion.
Government departments, including embassies, make up approximately R5 billion of the debtors’ book.
"After making a series of impassioned pleas to customers to honour their municipal accounts by paying them in time and in full fell on deaf ears, the city swiftly embarked on a campaign to recoup debt owed to it by its customers by disconnecting water and electricity services to government departments, mainly the buildings under the Department of Infrastructure Development in Gauteng and businesses in the CBD, Sunnyside and parts of Centurion. The arrears are on property rates, water and electricity services," says spokesperson Selby Bokaba.
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The first phase of the revenue collection will focus on big businesses, 100 suburbs and 48 government accounts.
"On Wednesday the executive mayor, Cllr Randall Williams, will join the acting city manager in accelerating the disconnection campaign to drive home the message that if you don’t pay for the services you consume, credit control measures would be implemented without fear or favour," adds Bokaba.
Officials spearheading the campaign will be accompanied by the Tshwane metro police.
