Debt relief lifeline returns for eThekwini account dispute customers
Ratepayers whose municipal account disputes were still under review when eThekwini's debt relief programme closed can now reapply.
Customers whose municipal account disputes were still being investigated when eThekwini’s Special Debt Relief Programme closed earlier this year have been given a second chance to benefit after the programme was reinstated.
The eThekwini Municipality’s Full Council has approved the reinstatement of the programme exclusively for customers whose disputes were still under consideration when the initiative ended in January 2026.
About 154 account disputes involving electricity, water and rates bills have been identified, with a combined value of approximately R112.3m.
The reinstated programme is effective immediately and will remain open until the end of August. eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba urged eligible customers to make use of the once-off opportunity.
Also Read: eThekwini extends debt relief programme until January 2026
“When we first introduced the programme from May to June 2025 to write off 50% of qualifying debt owed to the City as at the end of January 2025, ratepayers and various key stakeholders appealed to us to extend the programme. As a listening and caring Municipality, we responded by extending it from November 2025 to January 2026 to help alleviate the financial burden on households and businesses,” said Xaba.
He said customers who had lodged account disputes during the programme had requested an opportunity to benefit once their cases had been resolved.
“We have listened to our residents with genuine concerns, and we are pleased to provide them with this opportunity. We encourage all eligible customers to take advantage of the programme,” said Xaba.
The original Special Debt Relief Programme, which ended in January 2026, resulted in the Municipality writing off R515m in qualifying debt, providing financial relief to more than 4 500 customers.
Customers with qualifying account disputes are encouraged to visit their nearest municipal customer service centre before the programme closes at the end of August.
For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here
