eThekweni approves special Covid-19 rates relief for cash-strapped residents

eThekwini Municipality has approved a Covid-19 special payment relief incentive for customers whose accounts are in arrears. File picture: Pexels

eThekwini Municipality has approved a Covid-19 special payment relief incentive for customers whose accounts are in arrears. File picture: Pexels

Published Jun 4, 2020

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Durban - eThekwini Municipality has approved a Covid-19 special payment relief incentive for customers whose accounts are in arrears. 

The city said the incentive allows for:

• Customers to enter into a credit agreement with the Municipality on condition that the owing customer pays 50% of the arrears (excluding interest) on or before 30 June 2020; 

• The debt must be ninety (90) days and older;

• Total interest accumulated and raised to the customer account will be reversed; 

• The customer to enter into payment plan agreement for the balance of the outstanding debt over a maximum period of 24 months. 

• There will be no interest raised during the period of the payment plan agreement. 

• Existing customers on payment plan may cancel the existing agreement and enter into this once off relief. 

This incentive is a once-off relief for the period beginning on 1 June 2020 and ending on 30 June 2020. 

Municipal spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said should a customer default on the payment plan with the municipality, all interest written-off under the conditions of Covid-19 Special Payment Relief will be reinstated and the total debt, including interest, will be due for collection.

"Rates rebate for B&B and guesthouses whereby they will receive a Covid-19 rebate to bring their rates payable to the same level as residential," he said. 

For queries can be sent via the correspondence portal: http://correspondence.durban.gov.za:200/ or visit the nearest Customer Centre.

IOL

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