If you’ve fallen behind on your City of Johannesburg municipal bills, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. The City has launched Phase 4 of its Debt Relief Programme, a 12-month initiative offering qualifying residents and businesses a chance to clear their arrears and start afresh without the burden of mounting interest or penalties.

Running from November 1, 2025 to October 31 next year, this once-off initiative offers up to a 50% debt write-off and a 100% waiver on interest and penalty fees. It’s designed to support households and organisations facing financial hardship while helping the City improve revenue collection.

Read more: Prison forced to settle R9.6 m water bill

For residents like Thea Swann of Lonehill, this programme comes as a much-needed lifeline. Swann has been living without running water since February, after a burst pipe under her house led to an unresolved dispute with Johannesburg Water (JW).
“I sent email after email,” she said at the time. “I went to Johannesburg Water. I was sent away. Even Region A in Midrand turned me away. Nobody helped. Then, they cut our water in February.”

Desperate to stop the flooding under her home, Swann hired a private contractor at her own expense ( R23 300) only to be met with a ballooning water bill that grew from R27 800 to R77 000, and now sits at over R90 000.

Despite multiple visits, she says no one from the City has helped resolve the issue. She and her son have survived by collecting water from neighbours, her school, and a local church. “Every day I carry 25-litre drums just to cook, wash, and flush,” she said.

However, she said she is going to apply for this programme.

Who qualifies for debt relief?

According to the City, qualifying customers include:

• Residential property owners in arrears, whose properties are occupied and not used commercially. They can receive a 50% debt write-off, with the balance payable over 12–24 months through an Acknowledgment of Debt (AOD) agreement.
• Pensioners and Expanded Social Package (ESP) beneficiaries, who may receive up to 100% write-offs, depending on affordability and verification.
• Small businesses, faith-based organisations, NPOs, orphanages, and old-age homes with an annual turnover under R3m,
  qualifying for 50% write-off on debts older than 36 months, and 100% waivers on interest and penalty fees.
• Large businesses can qualify for a 50% write-off if they settle the remaining balance within 60 days after approval.

Customers who benefitted from previous phases of the programme are not eligible to reapply, except pensioners and ESP beneficiaries who still meet the qualifying conditions.

Also read: City threatens to cut services to prison for R9.6m unpaid water bill

How to apply

Applications can be made through:

• Regional Customer Service Centres across all regions, including Midrand, Randburg, Roodepoort, Sandton, Jabulani, Braamfontein, and Lenasia
• Online at: www.joburg.org.za
• Email: debtrelief@joburg.org.za

Applicants must provide certified copies of identification, proof of income or pension, verified meter readings, and any relevant business or NPO registration documents. Accounts must be in the owner’s name and free from tampering or illegal connections.

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