THE Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has announced that following the easing of the COVID-19 lockdown regulations, full credit control measures have commenced from Wednesday, October 1, following months of relief measures put in place to customers financially affected by the pandemic.
According to a statement released by the NMBM, the commencement of this function is to ensure a financially sustainable metro which can deliver efficient services to its residents.
This means that meters linked to arrear accounts will be blocked or disconnected 15 days after the due date and a set-off of 30% prepaid electricity purchases against unpaid arrears will be implemented a day after the due date.
“After the declaration of the national lockdown by President Cyril Ramaphosa in March, the metro put on hold all electricity and water meter restrictions, blockings or disconnections which would have been implemented due to unpaid arrears on municipal accounts.
“A total of three customer care centres were opened on June 10 to assist account holders with arrangements to repay arrears or settle their accounts. Alternative payment platforms were available throughout the lockdown by means of EFTs at banks, post offices and EasyPay services at Checkers, Shoprite and SPAR, among others,” the statement read.
“Due to COVID-19 limitations, the delivery of statements by post was slow during the higher levels of the lockdown. Account holders were informed by SMS, newspaper adverts, a newsletter sent with all statements and via social media, to continue paying their normal monthly accounts by their usual account due dates.
“Statements were also e-mailed to those account holders who have an e-mail address on record,” the statement further.
On June 28, a payment relief programme was launched, where all arrear account holders were informed to apply for relief if the COVID-19 pandemic had affected their salary.
On July 8, interest was reversed on all accounts where the account holder’s accounts were up to date on March 31, but paid late thereafter due to non- or late receipt of statements during the first three lockdown levels.
“The metro would like to thank all account holders who have managed to keep their accounts up to date or concluded affordable repayment arrangements.”
With lockdown alert level one in place, the metro has reopened additional customer care offices and customers are encouraged to visit the Walmer, New Brighton and Thusong (Motherwell) offices for all account-related queries.
This is in addition to the already operating offices including the Mfanasekhaya Gqobose Banking Hall (Govan Mbeki Avenue), Uitenhage, Korsten, Billing Clearance at Harrower Road stores and the accounts helpline (call centre) on 041 506 5555, operating from 08:00 to 16:30.
All the other centres are open from Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 15:30.
