THE Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality last week informed customers that owing to the COVID-19 lockdown, the Revenue Management and Customer Care office could not issue statements to account holders.
This was during the period from April to June 2020, however customers registered to receive monthly emailed statements did receive statements during the period of March 26 to 9 June 9, 2020, before the interactive voice response (IVR) services went down. NMBM spokesperson, Mamela Ndamase, said the May and June 2020 statements will be delivered to the Post Office for delivery in July 2020.
“July statements will be posted during August 2020. Account holders should continue to pay their normal monthly account as indicated on the May or July statements. Please check previous statements to remind yourself of your due date when payment is required.”
During the months July, August and September 2020 monthly municipal statements will continue to be e-mailed and posted.
“Should residents be registered to receive monthly e-mail statements via the IVR, then they will not receive a statement by post. Alternatively if residents are not registered for this service, their monthly municipal accounts will be sent via post. Customers are advised to register to receive their monthly municipal statements by e-mail to avoid any possible delays that may be experienced,” Ndamase added.
According to a statement by the NMBM, interest on accounts accumulated during April, May and June, due to non-receipt of statement and the inability to obtain a balance from any source during this period will be reversed (credited) in July, but only where account holders had no arrear services owing on March 30, 2020.
“E-mail requests for statements sent to statement@mandelametro.gov.za are attended to on a daily basis. Owing to the COVID-19 regulations concerning social distancing, only one third of the staff complement could be recalled and progress is delayed. This is not an automated service and statements must be e-mailed manually,” Ndamase said.
A faster alternative to obtain a balance or copy statement is as follows:
- Download the NMBM mobile application from Google Play or App Store and register on the app. A PIN number will be sent to you by SMS and relevant PIN can be used to obtain account details;
- Register on the NMBM website (www.mandelametro.gov.za) for account services (IVR) under the e-services tab and a PIN number will be sent to you by SMS, which can be utilised to obtain account details.
The NMBM’s statement further stated that, in terms of the customer care and revenue management by-laws, account holders may not withhold payment due to non-receipt of accounts and account holders whose salaries were not affected by the lockdown will not qualify for account payment relief.
