Debt Relief Programme reinstated

THE municipality has 

re-instated the Debt Relief Programme, effective from 01 October 2023. The programme benefits residential and business customers and also includes non-profit organisations. It, however, excludes government institutions and parastatals. The programme will conclude on 31 December 2023. 

The above categories of customers' debt must be 90 days or older. A down payment of 5% for residential and 10% for business customers must be made. 

An agreement will be signed, and the accumulated interest will be written off. Customers have up to 36 months to settle all outstanding debt. 

Head of the Revenue Management Unit, Lihle Ndzelu said that the Municipality recognises 

the severe financial strain that some residents are facing. ''The programme was previously approved and implemented from December 2022 to February 2023, and we have decided to reinstate it as customers have asked for it. As a caring city, we must do all we can to alleviate the financial burden on the Municipality's valued residents.''

Ndzelu stated that once the arrangement is made customers have to honour it. ''If a customer defaults on payment or pays less than the required instalment, all written off interest will be reinstated.''

In a commendable move to support NPO's within the community, this programme extends a significant helping hand. NPO's, including Old Age and Disabled Homes, Mental Hopsitals, Early Childhood Development Centres, and others, will be granted a substantial 50% capital debt write-off once they enter into a payment arrangement. This benefit is conditional on these organisations not falling into arrears within a period of 12 months after settling their debts. 

Customers may approach their nearest Sizakala Centre for more information and are encouraged to provide all supporting documentation when applying for the programme. 

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MOU signing to assist residents applying for IDs 

STANDING in long queues 

will be a thing of the past 

thanks to the renewal 

of a memorandum of 

understanding between 

eThekwini Municipality 

and Department of Home

Affairs (DHA). The primary objective of the MOU is to cut down on waiting times and maximise accessibility to the department's services. The cooperation between the two parties aims to ensure the ease of applying for an identity document and other important documents from the DHA. The MOU will see volunteers assisting departmental officials by accepting applications for IDs, distributing lists of uncollected IDs, completion of relevant forms, and to assist to complete late registration of birth application forms. 

Community Participation and Action Support Unit Senior Manager Mumsy Ntombela said the volunteers are being paid a stipend for out-of-pocket expenses. 

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Learn more about the Masakhane Outreach Programme 

AS PART of stakeholder engagements and keeping communities informed, the Municipality has implemented the Masakhane Outreach Programme. This allows the City to fulfill its obligation to meet with residents to provide updates regarding service delivery, while allowing residents to voice their suggestions and input. The programme aims to accelerate the implementation of the Community Participation Policy by increasing direct community engagement and participation. 

The Masakhane Programme is designed to effectuate section 152 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act of 32 of 2000 as a building block in contributing to ensuring a responsive local government system. 

Through the Masakhane Outreach Programme, the effective communications between elected councillors, officials, stakeholders, and community members is implemented by improving the way the Municipality delivers basic services to communities. 

It also improves community participation in delivering services. 

This platform also aims to better inform residents about policies, procedures, processes, and services provided by each unit/department thereby improving service delivery. 

Ideally, Masakhane should be held in all 111 wards of eThekwini with follow up meetings held to provide feedback on previously discussed issues. Where issues are not resolved, they are carried over by the department to resolve them and ensure feedback is provided to communities. 

Now that you know what Masakhane is about, make sure that you attend the next meeting held in your ward.