The City of Ekurhuleni has in the past two weeks, through electricity disconnection blitzes, recovered over R8,1 million owed by businesses in and around Germiston.
The City Blitz is led by a team comprising of Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) and officials in the Finance and Energy departments to switch off electricity and restrict water supply to businesses that owe the municipality money.
Businesses that have illegally connected to the water supply lines or the electricity grid are also fined in the process.
Nine businesses, owing the City more than R21 million, were targeted by a multi-departmental task team on a mission to cut off the supply of electricity and water in an effort to recover the money.
Electricity and water supply to some of the businesses was cut off after they ignored numerous requests to pay the outstanding debt.
However, businesses that were able to pay half of their debt and also made arrangements with the City for the balance were reconnected.
“We need the money to improve the levels of service delivery in the region. There are projects that must be undertaken but cannot due to the non-availability of funds – mainly through non-payment of services,” explains metro spokesman Zweli Dlamini.
“We will do everything to recoup all outstanding monies and we are happy with the progress thus far – but do believe that we can do much more.”
In the meantime, the City calls on all municipal account defaulters to pay up or face increased action, which includes the cutting of services.
The City will has launched SMS and email campaign entitled #PayYourPart, reminding those to pay by the pending due date if they have not yet done so and encouraging those in arrears to pay up if they can or to approach the City to discuss payment options.
Residents are encouraged to visit their nearest Customer Care Centre for advice and guidance if they have any queries regarding their arrears.
Customers wishing to pay their municipal accounts can do so at the City’s Customer Care Centers. Customers may also make payments at retail stores using the new third-party payment option, Pay at and Cigicell using the prefix 11544 and the municipal account number at applicable outlets.
Customers can pay their municipal bills at the below retail stores:
- Ackerman’s
- Boxer
- Builders Warehouse
- Cambridge Food Checkers
- Game
- Makro
- PEP
- Pick n Pay
- Rhino Cash N Carry Shoprite
- Spar
Alternatively, for more convenience, customers are encouraged to register on the Siyakhokha portal to view their current account balance, download statements and make payments.
The blitz will continue across the City until the businesses in a quest to recover outstanding monies.
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