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City says debt relief working, critics warn of looming crisis
City says debt relief working, critics warn of looming crisis

The Citizen

time2 days ago

  • Business
  • The Citizen

City says debt relief working, critics warn of looming crisis

The metro has defended its controversial debt relief programme, maintaining that consumer debt has declined. This comes after criticism from opposition parties who claim it encourages non-payment and threatens the metro's financial health. Opposition claimed that despite the debt relief programme, residents' outstanding debt increased by more than R700-million in the previous financial year. The Freedom Front Plus said it was particularly concerned about a 600% increase in new defaults within the 31-60-day payment period. However, metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo argued that consumer debt has been decreasing since the launch of the incentive in May. 'Between February and March, the debtors' book fell by 13.56%, with a further drop from R26.6-billion to R25.8-billion over the next two months,' Mashigo said. He said these figures prove the initiative is working, allowing residents to settle arrears and keep their accounts in good standing. 'The plan offers ratepayers a 70% discount on outstanding municipal bills if they pay the balance in full, and was introduced to address a historic R30-billion debtor's ledger.' Mashigo dismissed claims of a 600% spike in new defaults as 'factually incorrect'. 'Nevertheless, the city remains committed to addressing all arrear accounts, particularly those that are 30 days and more in arrears.' He said intensified credit control measures are being implemented to reduce the debtors' book and to improve the overall payment levels. 'These measures include stricter enforcement of credit control policies, targeted customer engagement, and proactive monitoring of payment patterns to prevent accounts from falling into longer-term arrears.' Mashigo stressed that the metro maintains a structured payment arrangement with Eskom, honoured in full and on time. 'We have never defaulted on our commitments to Eskom and disciplined financial management has kept essential services running.' Despite the metro's reassurances, opposition parties remain unconvinced. Freedom Front Plus Councillor Mark Surgeon warned that outstanding debt climbed by more than R700-million in the past financial year, even with the debt relief scheme in place. He accused the ANC-led coalition of using the policy as a quick political fix rather than a long-term financial strategy. 'The FF Plus has always maintained that general debt write-offs foster a culture of non-payment,' said Surgeon. Surgeon also cited a R2.28-billion increase in the city's own debt in 2024/25 and a 43% rise in what it owes Eskom, warning of looming fiscal collapse. He said underspending on projects further erodes public trust, calling the budget a 'political wish list' rather than a binding service delivery plan. Surgeon argued that without structural reforms, the debt crisis will only deepen, worsening service delivery and public confidence in municipal governance. The DA shared similar concerns. Former MMC for Finance Jacqui Uys said the policy benefits residents who can pay but choose not to, while doing little for struggling households or for restoring payment discipline. 'The processes followed by the coalition do not ensure the inclusion of defaulting ratepayers back into the payment net,' she said. Uys said the DA had proposed alternative repayment models to help those who want to pay but cannot, but these were rejected. 'The debtors' book might even be closer to R28-billion,' said DA caucus leader in Tshwane Cilliers Brink. Brink said it is clear that there hasn't been an uptake by residents of the incentive scheme of the city. 'The DA warned that the scheme is inadequate, but the bigger problem is that credit control is not happening.' He said other measures, such as rolling out smart meters to indigent residents, are also not happening. 'Instead of collecting what is already due to the city, the ANC coalition has sought to introduce a new tax, the so-called city cleansing levy. Now that the High Court has set the levy aside, it means that there is about R500-million shortfall on top of the R850-million shortfall from the financial year ending in June,' said Brink. Mashigo insists that the metro's approach, combined with stronger credit control and targeted revenue collection campaigns, will stabilise its finances and support long-term service delivery. He said the underspending experienced in the 2024/25 financial year can largely be attributed to delays in project implementation, procurement processes, and the finalisation of contractor appointments. 'In some cases, unforeseen technical challenges and compliance requirements also contributed to slower capital expenditure. While underspending may temporarily affect the pace of certain service delivery projects, the city is actively working to fast-track delayed initiatives and reallocate resources where possible to ensure service delivery targets are met.' He said the city has instituted a 'war room' initiative led by the mayor. 'In this forum, service delivery departments are required to report regularly on the progress of their respective capital programmes and others.' According to Mashigo, the political leadership provides oversight, ensuring accountability and alignment with strategic priorities. 'Importantly, this process operates in conjunction with the statutory oversight functions of the Section 79 Committees and the city's council, which continues to hold the administration accountable for sound budget planning, disciplined execution, and prudent financial management. This layered oversight structure mitigates the risk of undue political interference.' Mashigo said the metro has adopted an approved service delivery budgetary implementation plan that outlines clear performance targets for each department. 'This plan is supported by a funding plan aimed at ensuring financial viability, achieving strategic financial objectives, and strengthening the city's liquidity position. By enhancing revenue collection and optimising expenditure, the city can sustainably deliver essential services to communities, thereby restoring public trust and reinforcing confidence in its financial stability.' He denied that the debt relief programme has fostered a culture of non-payment, saying on the contrary, it has provided much-needed financial reprieve to residents across the city, enabling them to settle arrears and remain in good standing. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] 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.

Hair Transplant for Men: Full Guide, Cost & Recovery Tips
Hair Transplant for Men: Full Guide, Cost & Recovery Tips

UAE Moments

time12-07-2025

  • Health
  • UAE Moments

Hair Transplant for Men: Full Guide, Cost & Recovery Tips

The Complete Guide to Hair Transplants for Men 1. Why Do Men Lose Hair? Hair loss in men is most commonly due to androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness), a hereditary condition linked to hormones like DHT. Other causes include: Stress or trauma Poor diet or malnutrition Medical conditions (thyroid, anemia) Certain medications Scalp infections Excessive hairstyling or heat damage 2. Types of Hair Transplant Procedures a. FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) Individual hair follicles are extracted from the donor area and implanted into the thinning or balding area. Minimally invasive, no stitches. Leaves tiny dot scars, almost invisible. Popular for men who prefer short haircuts. b. FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation / Strip Method) A strip of scalp is removed from the donor area, and follicles are dissected and transplanted. Leaves a linear scar on the donor site. Slightly more grafts can be extracted in one session. Often cheaper than FUE. c. DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) A more advanced variation of FUE using a pen-like tool to directly implant follicles. Often more precise but more expensive. 3. Duration of the Procedure 4. Recovery Timeline & When You Can Go Out 5. Side Effects & Risks Swelling (forehead/eyes for 2–3 days) Scabbing & itching Shock loss (temporary shedding of transplanted or existing hair) Redness and inflammation Numbness or tingling in donor area Infection or cysts (rare) 6. How to Minimize Side Effects Follow all post-op instructions from your surgeon Sleep with head elevated for 3–5 days Avoid exercise, swimming, or sweating for 10–14 days Don't scratch or pick scabs Use prescribed antibiotic shampoo and medication Avoid sun exposure for 2–3 weeks No smoking or alcohol for 1 week pre/post surgery 7. Hair Transplant Cost Cost varies by country, clinic reputation, technique, and number of grafts: Most clinics charge per graft: $1–$5/graft. 8. Patient Satisfaction & Results Most men report high satisfaction rates —typically 85–90%—if: The procedure is done by an experienced, licensed surgeon Post-op care is followed diligently Expectations are realistic (you may need a second session) The hair density and donor area are sufficient Common feedback includes: 👍 "Natural-looking hairline" 💬 "I look 10 years younger" 💡 "Best investment in my confidence" Should You Do a Hair Transplant? Hair transplants are more advanced and effective than ever. Whether you're struggling with hair thinning or bald patches, a transplant can offer long-term, natural results —but only if you do your research, choose a reputable clinic, and stick to the recovery plan.

People From 44 Different Professions Shared Their Salaries To The Digit, And I'm Digging The Transparency
People From 44 Different Professions Shared Their Salaries To The Digit, And I'm Digging The Transparency

Yahoo

time12-06-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

People From 44 Different Professions Shared Their Salaries To The Digit, And I'm Digging The Transparency

Recently, I asked members of the BuzzFeed Community to share their salaries and what they do if they were comfortable doing so. Here are 44 different professionals from all across the board and how much they make, and where they're located. 1."$110,000 — HR for an NYC-based real estate brokerage." —34, NJ 2."I make $76K a year as a children's librarian." —33, No location 3."I'm an accountant for a large company making about $70K, and I've been there one year." —25, No location 4."$132,000 — Elementary principal." —54, Utah 5."Carpenter — $136K." —Anonymous 6."$110,000+ a year. Flight attendant for one of the big three US carriers. Been flying for 11 years." —37, Chicago 7."Surgeon, sub-specialized, make $700K per year entirely production-based working 50–55 hours/week." —42, Seattle 8."$164,000 plus profit-sharing as the director of digital marketing and customer data for a national CPG brand." —46, NH 9."Project Manager, base salary plus bonus — $185K." —48, NY 10."$118K per year working nine days per fortnight as a Clinical Manager for a not-for-profit. I'm a mental health social worker." —40, Australia 11."$110,000 Instructional Designer with MA Ed and 30+ years in corporate training." —68, TX 12."$166K as a Senior Network Install Analyst." —42, CO 13."$105K — mobile radiographer. I take X-rays with a portable machine in people's homes and small hospitals." —47, AZ 14."$127K as a teacher of 26 years." —58, Chicago 15."$160,000 a year as a truck driver, quit school in Grade 9." —59, Alberta, Canada 16."$200,000 — Aerospace Sourcing Manager." —57, CA 17."I make $140K as a parcel consultant." —41, AK 18."$135K — UPS driver." —34, CO 19."I am a freelance television cameraman covering sporting events around the world, working part-time, I easily make over 100K." —60, Detroit, MI 20."Union Electrician, no college, $120K–$140K." —37, OR 21."I have a 35-year career in real estate, and my average income is $120,000." —76, AZ 22."System architect for a late-stage startup. Salary is $235K, and I get around $200K in bonuses each year." —41, Atlanta 23."Trial attorney working for the government, $104K." —41, PA 24."Boutique Fitness Manager — $130K." —Anonymous 25."IT assistant for a public school, $23K at entry-level pay." —25, TX 26."Environmental consultant — $80,000/year." —26, PA 27."Radiologic Technologist (X-ray & CT cert) for seven years. $135,000 per year." —51, CA 28."Data Analyst, $145K." —33, NYC 29."$120K. A&P aircraft mechanic." —40, OK 30."$103K with a bachelor's degree and an HR certification." —31, PA 31."Attorney at a virtual firm. $150K with additional bonuses between $40K–$100K." —60, TX 32."Environmental permitting and regulatory specialist — $135K." —35, Chicago 33."$190K (base salary plus bonus) as a computer security architect." —63, FL 34."$108,000, Special Education teacher, which doesn't go far in an HCOL area like the Bay Area." —39, San Francisco 35."Telephone lineman, base $110,000 per year, not salary." —49, OH 36."I make $132K as an ER pharmacist in a relatively LCOL area." —33, No location 37."$143K. Over 29 years as a forensic scientist, working my way up to middle management." —55, MD 38."Senior Cybersecurity Engineer — $180,000/year." —36, VA 39."Family law and criminal defense attorney. I make $250,000 per took 25 years to get to this point." —56, OH 40."Public Works inspector — $80,000 a year." —61, CA 41."$310,000. Occupational Medicine doctor." —51, IN 42."Fire Lieutenant/Paramedic-Critical Care. $110K with 23 years on the department." —46, WI 43."Supervisor of a pathology lab at a top-10 medical center. $185,000." —70, CA "Clinical pharmacist with 30 years of experience. $158,000/year. I work in a hospital outpatient setting." —56, NC Want to share how much you make? Tell us in the comments below or completely anonymously in this Google form!

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