City to cut power and water of businesses owing

Due to the millions of rands owed to the City of Johannesburg, hundreds of businesses face the possibility of having their electricity or water supply cut.

The city’s Group Finance Department will soon roll out its aggressive disconnection drive, affecting business customers citywide. Pre-termination notices have been sent to all affected customers across the city, warning them about impending disconnections.

Kgamanyane Maphologela, director of customer communications for the Group Finance Department, said the city will implement its credit control and debt collection policy to recover the debt owed.

“The policy empowers our credit control unit to recuperate outstanding debt from customers owing. The policy stipulates that if a customer has not fully paid the outstanding amount and/or an acknowledgement of debt agreement (AOD) is not entered into with the city within the stipulated period, electricity may be disconnected, and water restricted or throttled without further notice.

“The city appeals to business customers who are struggling to service their accounts for various reasons, to approach the city, to avoid being cut off by signing an AOD.

“We understand the current and ongoing economic impact on business. We continue to make a call for all our customers not to wait until it’s too late before they approach us. The qualifying customer may conclude an AOD with the city for payment of the outstanding debt in instalments, in accordance with business processes determined by the city,” said Maphologela.

Maphologela also warned those customers who have illegally connected themselves to electricity and water supply.

“The illegal connection and/or tampering with water or electricity supply is a criminal offence, which may result in legal action being taken against offending customers,” said Maphologela.

Customers may pay using any of the listed methods below:

• e-Joburg Portal: www.e-joburg.org.za

• With EasyPay, facilitating a quick payment option at many shops that you visit on a regular basis, including Pick ‘n Pay and Shoprite Checkers

• Debit orders

• Direct deposits at major banks

• ATMs

• Internet and cellphone banking

• SA Post Office

• Any council pay-point (customer service centre) listed below:

Midrand Civic Centre: 300 15th Road, Midrand.

Sandton Civic Centre: 24 Fredman Drive, Sandton.

Roodepoort City Hall: corner Berlandina and Dieperink Streets, Roodepoort.

Eureka House: corner Marlborough Street and Rosettenville Road, Wemmerpan.

Lenasia Civic Centre: corner Rose Avenue and Eland Street, Lenasia Ext 2.

Thuso House, 61 Jorissen Street, Braamfontein

Ennerdale Ext 9: corner Katz Road and Smit Street, Ennerdale.

Eldorado Customer Service Centre: 4046 Link Crescent Avenue, Ext 5, Eldorado Park.

Randburg (Civic Centre): Braamfischer Drive and Jan Smuts Road, Randburg

Customers who wish to make payment arrangements and do not wish to visit any of the abovementioned walk-in centres may contact the city’s Credit Control Department by emailing them at creditcontrol@joburg.org.za.