Latest news with #R2.42-billion
The Citizen
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Debt relief deadline looms
With just 10 days remaining, the Tshwane metro has urged residents and businesses to take advantage of its Debt Relief and Incentive Scheme before the final deadline on May 31. This initiative, championed by Deputy Mayor and MMC for Finance, Eugene Modise, is designed to ease the financial burden of municipal debt and provide residents with a clean slate. The scheme has seen a strong engagement across Tshwane since its inception, with more than 19 853 amnesty application forms submitted. Among these, 5 069 applications specifically target electricity debt relief, which is a pressing issue that continues to impact households and businesses across the metro. 'We are encouraged by the response so far, but we want to remind those who have not yet applied that the window is closing fast. Time is of the essence,' said Modise. Modise said one of the best outcomes of the initiative has been the writing off of R1.84-billion in debt from 31 540 inactive accounts. He said these are accounts no longer reflect active consumption but have long-standing arrears, which placed a heavy strain on the metro's finances. By removing this debt from its books, the municipality not only improves its financial outlook but also demonstrates a commitment to restoring financial stability for its constituents. In addition to the inactive accounts, the metro confirmed that 460 residential accounts and 19 business accounts have been successfully approved for the debt relief option. This has resulted in R76.54-million in affected debt and R26.5-million officially written off. Modise said the metro's programme has also made strides in helping indigent households. 'We have written off R2.42-billion from indigent accounts.' The May 31 deadline is the last chance for residents and business owners to submit their applications. The process allows individuals to enter into payment agreements or apply for full or partial relief, depending on their financial situation. 'This reflects our unwavering commitment to social responsibility. 'We are dedicated to ensuring equitable access to essential services for all residents of Tshwane.' Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
21-04-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Tshwane extends debt-relief lifeline to struggling households
The Tshwane metro has once again heeded the call of its residents by extending its popular Incentive Debt-Relief Scheme to May 31. The extension aims to provide much-needed financial breathing space for households and businesses facing mounting municipal debt. Tshwane Deputy Mayor and MMC of Finance, Eugene Modise, said the extension comes after overwhelming requests from residents and businesses seeking more time to access the benefits of the programme. He said the initiative has already proven to be a critical tool in relieving residents of financial pressure during tough economic times. 'This extension of this scheme not only supports our hard-pressed residents but also assists the metro in strengthening its financial footing. 'Optimising revenue collection is at the heart of this municipality coalition's agenda and has played a pivotal role in achieving a funded municipal budget,' said Modise. According to Modise, the metro's debtor's book stands at R25.69-billion. However, this figure represents a significant improvement, a 13.19% reduction compared to the previous month. Modise said part of this success can be attributed to the targeted implementation of the debt-relief scheme and efforts to recover funds from inactive or indigent accounts. The metro has already written off R2.42-billion from registered indigent accounts, bringing meaningful relief to the most vulnerable residents. An additional R1.83-billion has been wiped from over 31 500 inactive accounts, a step aimed at cleaning up the metro's book and streamlining future collection efforts. Modise said during the previous phase of the scheme, over 10 200 applications were received, which indicates how desperately this assistance is needed. The metro anticipates even more applications as word spreads. He said a key component of the latest extension is the waiver of the standard R29 000 tamper fee, which is typically charged when illegal connections or tampering with municipal infrastructure is discovered. The City of Tshwane is committed to assisting residents, businesses and other customers to manage their municipal debt effectively. Residents of Soshanguve came in numbers for #DebtReliefProgramme@CityTshwane — Eugene Modise (@eugene_modise) March 26, 2025 The metro is encouraging residents to come forward, regularise their municipal accounts, and reconnect legally without fear of harsh financial penalties. 'This move is about meeting people where they are. By waiving tamper fees, we are creating a path to compliance that's compassionate and realistic. 'We appreciate the volunteerism and honesty displayed by the people of Tshwane. Their determination to pay for services reflects a deep love for this municipality and a shared desire to see it thrive,' said Modise. Modise urged all eligible households and businesses to take advantage of the extended deadline. He emphasised that the success of the programme depends on active community participation and a shared commitment to municipal accountability. Residents of Mamelodi came out in numbers to take full advantage of the #DebtReliefIncentiveProgramme before it closing date. To find out when we're going to be in your area kindly consult with your ward councillor &/or the nearest customer care centre.@CityTshwane — Eugene Modise (@eugene_modise) March 19, 2025 Residents and businesses interested in the scheme can contact the metro's finance department or visit regional customer care centres for guidance. Applications must be submitted before May 31. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
