This comes after the municipal spokesperson, Thoko Riet, stated that the city is facing excessive use of water and electricity which is taking its toll on the municipality.

Riet says this is largely caused by illegal connections and meter bypasses.

She confirmed to OFM News that the municipality, together with relevant stakeholders, are in the process of inspecting all meters to deal with issues of illegal connections and to ensure that consumers are billed correctly.

Riet also adds that the low collection rate is one of the major issues that continues to worsen due to the economic conditions the country is currently grappling with. 

She says the municipality and the entire community has to change the situation. This is as the total debtors’ book has escalated to R2.9 billion, whilst the amounts owed to creditors such as Eskom are also on the rise.

"We have developed a collection action plan, which extends from our Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy. We will be embarking on a campaign, which will focus on sharing information that can assist our customers in settling the debt that they owe to the municipality. Through the campaign, we will also provide information pertaining to the indigent assistance offered by the municipality to qualifying customers," she adds.

Riet further said the collection action plan has been communicated to the broader council and to the specific ward councilors.

OFM News