MOSSEL BAY NEWS - At a special Mossel Bay Municipal Council meeting on Thursday, 13 August, the councillors unanimously agreed to further relief measures regarding payment of municipal rates and taxes.
The council also approved the recommendation to have the municipality start implementing the debt collection processes aimed at all consumers who default on their municipal accounts.
A municipal statement noted that during the National State of Disaster lockdown and the promulgated period of Risk-Adjusted Strategy Levels in terms of the National State of Disaster, there had been a considerable increase in outstanding debt and a decrease in payment percentages.
(A full version of the statement can be viewed here)
The Speaker, Alderman Petru Terblanche, expressed concern at the virtual doubling of outstanding debt during the past year. The councillors supported the executive mayor, Alderman Harry Levendal’s, insistence that councillors unanimously and irrespective of party political differences work together to ensure that residents are aware of the various relief measures available to mitigate the effect of financial hardship on families. “If there are families who continue to suffer water supply on a drip in this municipality it is because the administration is unaware of them. I urge the councillors to assist in efforts to identify the applicable addresses and to motivate the residents to approach the municipality for assistance,” municipal manager, Advocate Thys Giliomee insisted.
Deadlines
Council’s debt collection policy will be implemented from 19 August and debt will be handed over for collection purposes from 25 August.
A soft approach will initially be followed to inform account holders who are in arrears of the options available to either make payment arrangements or to apply for subsidies. This approach will be intensified in the coming months.
Business/industrial consumers' deadline (not residential consumers)
Businesses and industrial consumers may apply to pay back arrears built up until 17 August in equal instalments, interest-free, for no longer than six months - with no deposit, and without auxiliaries being deducted from prepaid electricity purchases.
To qualify, business and industrial consumers must apply for this payment arrangement before 15 September.
Application for payment arrangements per council’s Debt Collection Policy can be made for a up to 12 months with interest and deposits by all account holders. No auxiliaries will be deducted from prepaid electricity purchases when the account holder enters into a payment arrangement with the municipality.
Current month deadlines before handover date for collection purposes
- July billing date: 24 July
- Payment date: 17 August
- Estimated interest billing date: 19 August
- Estimated handover date for collection purposes: 25 August
Supporting documents needed
Applications must include the latest municipal bill, copy of the account holder’s identity document, proof of income of the total household – either pay slips and/or bank statements, or an affidavit for all unemployed occupants.
In the case of a disabled person, the medical certificate to confirm the client’s health condition must be obtained from a medical doctor and provided at regular intervals to qualify for this support. The applicant must be the permanent occupant.
* See full version of municipal statement with more detailed information here.
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