The City of Johannesburg’s aggressive cut-off operation on worse defaulters, has led to the Department of Correctional Services settling their R13 million municipal bill for two respective prisons over the weekend. The bill was for both the Leeuwkop Prison and Johannesburg Prison (also known as Sun City Prison).
According to the City’s Group Chief Financial Officer, Tebogo Moraka, the Department subsequently paid the full R9.8 million debt for Leeuwkop Prison and the remainder of about R3.2 million was paid towards the Johannesburg Prison on Saturday.
The City was forced to shut-down water supply at Leeuwkop Prison last Friday over its huge outstanding debt, which has since been settled in full.
“As the City we will continue to go on aggressive campaigns to collect the huge money that is owed to the City. Residents should understand that without them playing their part by paying for services they consume; we are unable to render services as a municipality. We are left with no choice but to cut our services to those who owe us,” said Moraka.
Last week the City chased after its ten worst defaulters, which included a hotel, a prison, large residential estates, a private retirement village, panel beating business and large firms who collectively owe the City more than a whopping R104 million on unpaid services. At the properties where the City found illegal electricity and water connections, the City swiftly removed all its infrastructure which included water and electricity meters and cables.
Moraka said at one posh private Retirement village Estate in Northview, which the City visited, the management was able to find R7.7 million to pay the 30% of their enormous R25.6 million bill. This was after their water supply was cut last week due to non-payment as part of the aggressive credit control campaign. Moraka said the Estate has since agreed to pay the remainder of the debt over a three-month period.
The City has warned those who continually connect illegally to its water and electricity services, tamper or vandalise its’s critical infrastructure that that they will face arrests.
All property owners who are struggling to service their accounts for various reasons, are advised to approach the City for further assistance, by means of payment arrangements (Acknowledgement of Debt sign off) to avoid disconnection of services.
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
• Direct deposits at major banks
• ATMs
• Internet and cell phone banking
• SA Post Office
• Any Council pay-point (Customer Service Centre) – listed below:
o Midrand Civic Centre – 300 – 15th Road, Midrand.
o Sandton Civic Centre – 24 Fredman Drive, Sandton.
o Roodepoort City Hall – C/o Berlandina and Dieperink Streets, Roodepoort.
o Eureka House – C/o Marlborough Street & Rosettenville Road, Wemmerpan.
o Lenasia Civic Centre – C/o Rose Avenue & Eland Street, Lenasia Ext 2.
o Thuso House, 61 Jorissen Street, Braamfontein
o Ennerdale Ext 9 – C/o Katz Road & Smit Street, Ennerdale.
o Eldorado Customer Service Centre – 4046 Link Crescent Avenue, Ext 5, Eldorado Park.
o 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 on creditcontrol@joburg.org.za