WELKOM – Matjhabeng Local Municipality has implemented water and electricity disconnections to institutions with long-outstanding municipal accounts as part of a focused revenue enhancement drive.
The operation commenced at Bongani Hospital, R.H. Matjhabeng Hospital, the Welkom Traffic Department, the South African Police Service station in Virginia, and other defaulting institutions across the municipal area.
The Municipality is currently owed more than R1 billion by various institutions and sectors, including Bongani Hospital, R.H. Matjhabeng Hospital, government schools, government departments, and businesses.
This intervention forms part of Operation Patala, an initiative aimed at improving the collection of municipal dues and advancing the implementation of the Municipality’s Financial Recovery Plan.
Strengthening revenue collection is essential to ensuring that the Municipality is financially stable and able to deliver services to residents with diligence, consistency and efficiency.
Sustainable service delivery depends on the timely payment of municipal accounts. Revenue collected from water, electricity, sanitation and other services is reinvested directly into infrastructure maintenance, repairs, fleet procurement, and the improvement of service standards across communities.
Non-payment places significant strain on operations and undermines the Municipality’s ability to respond effectively to service delivery demands.
Businesses, government institutions and residents are therefore strongly encouraged to make payment arrangements with the Municipality to avoid service interruptions due to non-payment.
The Municipality remains committed to engaging constructively with account holders who demonstrate willingness to settle their debts responsibly.
Residents and businesses are also urged to take advantage of Council’s Debt Relief Programme through the Full and Final Settlement Campaign, which runs until March.
Under this campaign residential customers with outstanding balances of R30 000 and above qualify for a 40% discount if the full amount is paid once-off. Businesses and farms with accounts owing R100 000 and above also qualify for a 40% discount upon full, once-off settlement.
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This incentive provides a valuable opportunity for customers to regularise their accounts, restore services where applicable, and contribute to the financial sustainability of the Municipality.
According to a statement issued by the Matjhabeng Local Municipality they remain resolute in enforcing credit control measures fairly and consistently, while simultaneously providing relief mechanisms for those committed to resolving their accounts.
The collective effort of all stakeholders will ensure a financially stable municipality capable of delivering reliable services and building the Matjhabeng we want,” said the spokesperson.
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