Mayor Lucky Sele says low rates and tax payments among Kagiso residents, particularly in extensions 12, 13 and 14, are placing pressure on the municipality’s ability to deliver services, with only 17% of municipal accounts currently fully up to date.

Sele said Kagiso would not be exempt from credit control measures if residents fail to respond to calls for payment. He added that the municipality would continue to support vulnerable households, including indigent families, while assisting children of deceased parents to register new accounts and facilitating the write-off of qualifying historical debt.

The statement comes as Kagiso remains a key focus of Mogale City’s service delivery intervention programme, following the completion of the first three phases in Munsieville and Swaneville.

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According to the municipality, about 70% of residents do not pay rates and taxes, which are used to fund municipal services.

The municipality’s head of communications, Adrian Amod, said the intervention programme brings together municipal, district, provincial and other government stakeholders in a co-ordinated effort to accelerate service delivery and address community concerns.

As part of the programme, the municipality has prioritised service delivery interventions in Kagiso. It also indicated that debt collectors will assist with service disconnections in cases of persistent non-payment.

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Amod further stated that the municipality’s credit control team would be available at Town Hall to assist residents with municipal account-related matters. Services include help with payment arrangements, billing enquiries and account-related issues.

He noted that while these services form part of the municipality’s daily operations, the programme allows all departments to concentrate resources on one area at a time with the aim of achieving sustainable improvements.

Services being carried out include by-law enforcement operations, road and pothole repairs, line marking, streetlight maintenance, sewer unblocking and the clearing of illegal dumping sites. Residents are also able to engage directly with municipal leadership and service teams regarding service delivery concerns.

According to Amod, the programme is intended to improve efficiency, strengthen accountability and enhance co-operation between different spheres of government while addressing service delivery challenges in targeted communities.