The City of Johannesburg reached out to residents directly during its Region F open day on March 28.
The open day took place at the Brixton Multipurpose Centre, making municipal services more accessible and assisting households with pressing account-related queries. The initiative offered residents and property owners a chance to engage with city officials, resolve billing issues, and apply for support programmes. Pensioners and qualifying residents were assisted with rebate applications and registration for the expanded social package (ESP), which supports low-income households.

Residents attending were encouraged to bring municipal statements, reference numbers, and identification documents to ensure efficient service. Areas covered included Brixton, Bosmont, Fordsburg, and the inner city, with assistance ranging from water and electricity queries to meter-related concerns.

Read more: City of Johannesburg opens doors at Marks Park to clear billing blues

Kgamanyane Maphologela, director for communications and stakeholder management in group finance, explained the purpose of the event. “By bringing our services closer to residents, we make it easier for them to get assistance, engage directly with officials, and have their municipal queries resolved efficiently.”

The open day also promoted the city’s debt relief programme, now in its fourth phase, which allows qualifying households to enter structured payment arrangements while receiving relief on accumulated interest and penalties. Nkosana Letjoko, from City of Johannesburg group finance, emphasised the programme’s intent. “We want our residents to apply for the debt relief programme and benefit from it. We are prepared to write off about 50% of your debt, structure the remainder, and remove 100% of accumulated interest.”

Letjoko noted that challenges, such as limited meter access and occasional hostility toward city staff, can affect billing accuracy, urging residents to co-operate. “Meters remain city property, and accurate billing depends on proper access.

Also read: City opens its doors at Marks Park to solve billing headaches

“We are not a profit-making entity. We understand our mandate to provide services, and we want to meet halfway with residents. The success of this programme will be measured by how many people register and benefit by the end of October.”

The city’s efforts reflect a growing focus on community engagement and proactive support for households struggling with municipal debts, demonstrating a willingness to collaborate with residents to resolve financial and service-related challenges.

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