City of uMhlathuze Council has considered a two-phased approach to relieve ratepayers as the whole country is still facing the Coronavirus pandemic and its negative impact on the economy.
These measures are to relieve rates payers noting the suffering they endured during the economic meltdown caused by national lockdown and stringent Covid-19 regulations that resulted in a number of people losing their jobs and streams of income.
City of uMhlathuze Council has approved a 10 percent Covid-19 relief for the period of March to July 2020 in respect of property rates, refuse removal and sewer to all residential customers.
The ten (10) percent monetary relief will be credited to rate payers accounts and will be reflected as covid-19 rebate. If the ratepayers account is in arrears, this rebate will reduce the debt in that account.
Water basic charge has been approved to start at ten kilolitres, which is currently charged at R28.32 excluding vat. This is a great initiative, as all residential customers with a consumption below 10 kilolitres willnot pay water basic charge. Ten (10) kilolitres equals to 10 000 litres. Council is also in the process writing-off certain debts as stipulated in the credit control policy.
The decision to ease the financial burden to all ratepayers came amid consultations with property owners in the City through the Ask The Mayor Campaign and other consultative measures after the mandatory Property Valuation process that was implemented.
“Council noted the concerns that emanated from the Property Valuation process and consulted with a number of rates payers on a one-on-one basis. The second phase of this process will be the consideration of the objections Council received during our consultation exercises. We do believe though that the 10 % relief will make a huge difference to our people. We are a caring municipality and ours is to be always considerate of the people we serve. On the other hand we know that we have a constitutional mandate to service the very same people guided by a number of prescripts that are necessary for clean governance and transparency,” Mhlongo said.