WARD 68 councillor Aubrey Snyman has expressed concerns about eThekwini Municipality’s special debt relief programme, arguing that it primarily benefits those who can afford to pay 50% discount of their outstanding debt.

Also read: eThekwini Municipality announces reduced tariff increases

The programme aims to alleviate the financial burden on residents battling to pay their debts owed to the municipality. In response to this challenge, the municipality implemented a 50% debt write-off, for the arrear debt accumulated as at January 31, 2025.

The special debt relief programme runs from May until June 30.

The programme is intended to assist domestic and business customers experiencing economic challenges. It also aims to assist customers whose accounts were affected by major water leaks that could not be detected timeously due to various reasons.

However, Snyman said for customers to have their debt written off, they should be able to pay 50% cash which is half of the money owed to the municipality.

Snyman has expressed concern that some residents, whose water bills have accumulated debts exceeding R10 000, may not be able to afford the 50% payment proposed by the municipality.

To read more about the special relief programme click here. 

“Unfortunately if you don’t have that kind of cash then this debt relief programme will not work for consumers who are in arrears. For example if an individual is owing the municipality R50 000 as at the January 31, the consumer needs to come up with R25 000 cash in order to get the balance of R25 000 written off,” he said.

He raised concerns about the residents who have outstanding balances from February to May 2025 that are not covered by the relief programme.

Also read: Ambulance shortage in Wentworth endangers lives

“If a customer owes R12 000, this amount is expected to be paid over six months without interest. This means that starting from June 2025, the customer will need to pay R2000 per month in addition to their monthly bill, which could be for instance R4000. As a result, they would be required to pay a total of R6000 per month for the next six months,” said Snyman.

He added, “Consumers will be expected to pay nearly R6000 per month, an amount many simply cannot afford given the current financial hardships they are facing.  If residents are unable to meet these monthly payments, their accounts will once again fall into arrears. The municipality appears focused on reducing its debtors’ book, which currently stands at R14.7b, without fully considering the financial realities of the people.”

In a statement eThekwini Municipality said its revenue unit reported that the water debt, as at the end of January 2025, is at R14.7b.

Undetected water leaks are a major contributor to rising water debt

The contributing factor to this water debt is said to be undetected underground leaks and short payments by insurance.

“It has been proven that many customers are unable to settle these debts and thus it is regarded as irrecoverable,” the municipality said in a statement.

Also read: Bayhead Road upgrade underway: Prepare for traffic delays

Mayor of eThekwini Municipality, Cyril Xaba, said this initiative is in response to the challenges expressed by residents during the budget hearings.

“We have listened to people who expressed economic challenges and unemployment, which results in them not being able to settle debt.  We wish to emphasise that the special debt relief programme is not automatic.  It must be applied for and is based on certain conditions being met.  We encourage residents and businesses to make use of this opportunity,” said Xaba in a statement.

How to become a beneficiary of this programme?

Customers may approach their nearest Sizakala Centre for more information with the following crucial documents:

• ID,
• A copy of their account and speak to a revenue official.

If an individual qualifies, they will be given a form to sign and thereafter payment must be made.

For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox.