The City of Ekurhuleni has called on financially distressed residents to apply for debt rehabilitation under its newly approved revised debt relief and rehabilitation incentive scheme.

Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza emphasised that consistent payment for municipal services remains essential to the city’s sustainability and service delivery efforts.

“Without revenue, there can be very little service delivery on the ground.

ALSO READ: City of Ekurhuleni partners with Wits to strengthen governance

“Therefore, robust credit control and increased public awareness around a culture of payment are key to maintaining the City’s financial health and ensuring the delivery of quality, equitable, and sustainable services to all,” said Xhakaza.

The mayor urged residents who are financially able to settle their accounts to do so, while encouraging those who cannot afford to pay to apply for the city’s indigent support programme.

Council has also approved a revised debt relief and rehabilitation incentive scheme to assist residents who have fallen into arrears on their municipal accounts.

The programme offers a conditional write-off of debt, coupled with structured payment commitments over up to three years.

According to the mayor, the initiative seeks to strike a balance between strengthening the municipality’s revenue collection and providing relief to struggling households.

ALSO READ: City of Ekurhuleni invites public comment on draft problem buildings by-law

As part of broader efforts to improve revenue collection, Xhakaza highlighted that the city is addressing the challenge of approximately 113 000 unmetered stands across the municipality.

He indicated that, before July 1, the city will begin implementing measures to ensure accurate billing and improved revenue collection, including interventions targeting these properties.

In the interim, residents and businesses are encouraged to visit their nearest customer care centres to resolve any billing-related issues.