Pay up or face cut-offs: Mogale cracks down on high-value defaulters
Targeting both households and businesses, the campaign forms part of the broader Operation Qoqimali initiative, which calls on residents to take pride in their city and pay for the services they use. The municipality has emphasised that restoring a payment culture is crucial to sustaining service delivery and ensuring the city runs efficiently.
According to Refilwe Mahlangu, communications officer at MCLM, as of August 2024, residents, businesses, and government entities collectively owed Mogale City R3.5b in unpaid municipal accounts.
She said this figure has since surged to R3.9b. Of that total, households are responsible for R2.793b, an amount that could be used to overhaul ageing water infrastructure. Government departments owe R117m, and businesses R780m.
'These are funds that could significantly enhance electricity networks and youth development facilities.'
To enforce compliance, Mahlangu said Credit Control, backed by Public Safety officials, clamped down on high-value defaulters.
'A block of flats at the corner of Luipaard and Market Street was disconnected for owing over R1m, while an estate in Ruimsig was cut off due to a debt of around R1.7m. Businesses such as a hotel and spa [ owing nearly R3m] and an investment company [owing over R1.4m] were also cut off.'
Refilwe said the MMC for Finance, Victor Molefe, stated that while the aim is not to be punitive, Mogale City must instil a culture of accountability to safeguard future service delivery.
'Mogale City is now urging all customers who are struggling to settle their accounts to engage proactively with the city to avoid enforcement action. Flexible payment plans are available, and customers who settle their debt in full within 12 months will qualify for a 100% interest write-off, an incentive aimed at encouraging financial responsibility while easing the burden on residents and businesses,' Molefe said.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
13 hours ago
- IOL News
Leading figures to gather at Business to Brand Summit in Sandton
A powerhouse lineup of speakers is set to headline the much-anticipated Business to Brand Summit, taking place on August 1, 2025, in Sandton. Spearheaded by Pat Mahlangu, founder of Pat on Brands, Youth Owned Brands Awards (YOBAs), and Lerato Agency, the summit is poised to become a landmark moment for South Africa's marketing and business community. The summit is promoted as more than just a conference, with the stated goal of changing business owners' and leaders' perspectives from transactional, short-term thinking to brand-led, long-term plans. With a focus on deep, actionable insights, the event will bring together marketers, communicators, entrepreneurs, and visionaries who understand that branding is not just about logos and slogans; it's about purpose, trust, and impact. Headlining the event are some of South Africa's most influential characters. The dynamic lineup boasts acclaimed radio personality Sbusiso 'DJ Sbu' Leope, the innovative founder and CEO of Legends Barbershop, Sheldon Tatchell, and Bulelani Balabala, widely known as the 'Township Go-To Guy' and a celebrated entrepreneur and author. Together, they promise to bring a wealth of experience and unique perspectives to the summit. Mahlangu, who reveals that he started Pat on Brands nearly a decade ago as a student blog fuelled by passion, tells Saturday Star that what began as a personal project has since evolved into a multi-dimensional media platform with events, thought leadership, and recognition programs such as the Youth-Owned Brands Awards (YOBAs). Inspired by media veteran Jeremy Maggs and his show Maggs on Media, Mahlangu says he envisioned a platform that would celebrate and critique brands, offering what he called 'Pats and Slaps' to industry players. 'I founded Pat on Brands while I was still a university student, with no access to the industry, no network, and no established credibility. At the time, I was an unknown voice in a space dominated by seasoned professionals, and many questioned whether I had the authority to comment on brands at all. Some wouldn't even give me the time of day. But that doubt never discouraged me; it fuelled me.' Through resilience and vision, Mahlangu transformed Summit into a trusted voice in the branding space, especially among South Africa's emerging business leaders. He further reveals that the key to his mission, he says, has been understanding the critical distinction between simply running a business and building a brand. 'There is a fundamental difference between a business and a brand. A business often operates on a transactional level, focused on immediate goals such as sales, margins, and operational efficiency. It's about offering a product or service and making it available to the market. The primary driver is short-term value exchange.' Looking to the future, Mahlangu envisions expanding Pat on Brands, with aspirations for it to evolve into a television presence featuring its own show and documentaries that highlight inspiring stories of African brands. 'As for the Business to Brand Summit, I see it growing significantly in scale and influence, with future editions hosted in major cities across the African continent.' Saturday Star
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Rate cut a welcome boost for consumers and homeownership
Today's announcement that the Reserve Bank has decided to cut the repo rate by another 25bps to 7.00% (from 7.25%), and the prime rate to 10.50% (from 10.75% ) is welcome news for the economy and property market, says Samuel Seeff, chairperson of the Seeff Property Group. This is the third interest rate cut this year (fifth since September last year). Seeff says it is the correct decision given that inflation (at 3% for May) is below the Bank's target range, and the currency has been stable, trading at times below R18/USD. While this cut brings welcome relief for consumers by reducing borrowing costs and putting more money back into their pockets to spend in the economy, Seeff says it is still not enough. More needs to be done to really give the economy the rocket boost that it needs. Nonetheless, the rate cut will make home loans more affordable, and property buyers will find it slightly easier to qualify, thus opening more doors to homeownership. The total rate cuts since September mean that the interest rate will now be 1.25% lower compared to last year. The repayment on a bond of R1m (over 20-years) will therefore now be reduced by around R853 per month. We would therefore certainly encourage buyers to take advantage of the opportunities in the market, Seeff says further. Higher demand and improved house price appreciation at around 3.7% nationally (topping inflation for the first time in two years) also provides incentive for sellers, especially since many areas are in need of more property listings. While the rate cuts have been well received, Seeff says the economy and property market have not yet felt any notable impact from the rate cuts. The first quarter GDP growth was disappointing. After an initial surge, the overall property transaction volumes for the first half of this year are about 16% below the same time last year. Bolder rate cuts are needed. Since the interest rate (even after the latest cut) is still higher compared to January 2020 before the onset of the Covid-pandemic, we continue to urge the Bank to step up with more cuts now while inflation is contained, and the currency stable. As a result of the 25bps rate cut, mortgage repayments will reduce by: R750 000 bond – from R7,614 to R7,488 – saving R126 R900 000 bond – from R9,137 to R8,985 – saving R152 R1 000 000 bond – from R10,152 to R9,984 – saving R168 R1 500 000 bond – from R15,228 to R14,976 – saving R252 R2 000 000 bond – from R20,305 to R19,968 – saving R337 R2 500 000 bond – from R25,381 to R24,960 – saving R421 R3 000 000 bond – from R30,457 to R29,951 – saving R506 R5 000 000 bond – from R50,761 to R49,919 – saving R842 (Based on a 20-year repayment period at the prime rate) Issued by Gina Meintjes
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
Operation Qoqimali: Payment plans and interest write-offs for Mogale residents
While Mogale City Local Municipality's (MCLM) credit control team works to recover outstanding debts through Operation Qoqimali, they remain aware of the financial difficulties many households and businesses face in today's economy. MCLM communications officer Refilwe Mahlangu states that account holders experiencing trouble paying their bills in full do not need to wait for enforcement or risk disconnection. 'We encourage these account holders to contact us to arrange a payment plan that fits their financial situation.' Here's what residents should know: • Interest accrues on all overdue accounts, based on the national interest rate and the duration of the delay • Deposit amounts are customised according to household or business income, making it easier to start repaying • Remaining balances can be settled through manageable instalments over an agreed period • If settled within 12 months, full debt repayment will result in a 100% interest write-off • Able to pay in full now? All interest will be waived immediately; no payment plan needed To avoid disconnections, penalties, and increasing interest, call 0861 664 253 to initiate the process.
