Tshwane cleansing levy corrections to reflect on October municipal statements

The city has announced it will correct the billing error on 12 000 accounts that were charged for the cleansing levy when they already pay for services offered by the municipality.

The cleansing levy, currently the subject of a legal battle, targets property owners who use private waste collection services, requiring them to pay a monthly R194 levy in addition to their private waste removal fees.

However, 12 000 accounts already billed for the metro’s waste removal services were also incorrectly invoiced for the cleansing levy.

The metro assured customers that steady progress in resolving accounts incorrectly affected by the implementation of the cleansing tariff is being made.

“Our preliminary assessment confirms that approximately 12 000 accounts, out of the city’s total billing base of 780 000, were impacted by this anomaly,” city spokesperson Selby Bokaba revealed.

Bokaba added that this represents less than 2% of Tshwane customers, and corrective action is already underway to ensure a swift and fair resolution.

“As part of its commitment to addressing the matter decisively, the city has established a dedicated team tasked with the implementation of the required bulk reversals,” he said.

“This team has been working tirelessly to correct the billing system and safeguard the integrity of our revenue processes,” Bokaba added.

Bokaba emphasised that the city will only do a reversal credit to the accounts of those customers who have already made payments on the cleansing tariff.

“There will be no cash payments. While the corrections are already being processed on the system, customers are reminded that due to the billing cycle timelines, the adjustments will only become visible in their subsequent monthly statements, which will be the October 2025 statement,” he explained.

He said Tshwane’s technical and revenue teams are jointly verifying every adjustment to ensure no account is overlooked.

“The city further commits to carefully monitor progress and double-check the outcomes to ensure that we minimise further inconvenience, while ensuring that the system reflects accurate billing going forward.”

He said once the reversals are finalised, the city will issue a clear communication outlining how affected customers can confirm the corrections on their statements.

“This proactive approach is intended to not only restore confidence, but also to empower customers with the information they need to verify and understand the adjustments made.”

Bokaba acknowledged the frustration that the billing anomalies had caused, which came as a result of a system configuration error.

“Consequently, the city is strengthening its internal controls, reviewing billing processes and ensuring stricter safeguards to prevent a similar recurrence in the future.”

Tshwane wishes to express its gratitude to customers for their patience and understanding while this process is being finalised.

“By acting decisively and transparently, the city reaffirms its commitment to sound governance, accountability, and service to its loyal customers,” he said.

Bokaba revealed that the city has petitioned the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) to challenge the judgment of the Gauteng North High Court against the city on the implementation of the cleansing levy.

“The city’s appeal automatically suspends the High Court’s judgment. The city cleaning charges that were reversed were reinstated, and all customers not utilising city waste collection services will continue to be charged the city cleaning charge.”

Opposition parties have expressed concerns over the enforcement of the cleansing levy, labelling it as ‘a burden on residents’.

DA caucus leader Cilliers Brink expressed concern over Tshwane petitioning the SCA to have the ruling that the cleaning levy is unlawful overturned.

“This is a way of Tshwane planning to spend even more taxpayers’ money to institute this new tax, regardless of the mayor’s own admission that the court ruling is correct, and that the levy was not intended to be used for the purpose it is raised, but would be a way to generate extra funds to balance the city’s budget.”

He said the concerns with the city cleansing levy stretch further than just the ongoing legal battles, as it has also exposed the crisis in the city’s billing department.

“It is glaringly obvious that the city has no handle on who should be billed this city cleansing levy and is now expecting residents to help them resolve their own created crisis.”

Brink said DA councillors are committed to working with communities to assist the city’s billing department by compiling a comprehensive list of all properties which have been double-billed, which will be submitted to the City Manager to have affected accounts credited.

“I urge the city to cease spending taxpayers’ money in defending this flawed levy in court, admit that the introduction of this levy was a mistake, and halt credit control measures being taken on accounts levied with a city cleansing item, until this billing crisis is resolved.”

ALSO READ: Petition launched to oppose Tshwane’s cleaning levy

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