City to charge security deposits on municipal services accounts
Municipal account holders who were not charged deposits for electricity and water services will have these deposits billed to their accounts.
City of Johannesburg (CoJ) spokesperson, Mr Kgamanyane Maphologela, said the decision to raise the deposits is in-line with the city’s bylaws and means that customers who have no deposit reflected on their account will be required to pay an average of two months billing for their metered services.
“Deposits are raised on accounts as security in payment of any charges, which are due or become due. This is in line with the credit control and debt collection bylaw promulgated in May 2005, and which the city implemented from February 1, 2006,” he said.
He added that where a deposit has not been paid to the city by the account holder for whatever reason, water and electricity may be disconnected until an account holder agreement has been signed and the applicable deposit paid.
“The city piloted this project from February in various regions and customers were duly informed but chose to ignore the request. Therefore, the city is obliged to enforce these bylaws. The city is aware of the financial impact this will have on customers and is offering a payment plan, payable over six months, for customers who have difficulty paying the lump sum,” said Mr Maphologela.
He said customers can make arrangements at any customer service centre in Johannesburg.
Contact the call centre on 0860 Joburg (0860 56 28 74) if you have further enquiries.
