Municipal debt amnesty proposal sparks hope among eThekwini residents

A PROPOSAL to have a once-off municipal-debt amnesty has been met with enthusiasm from eThekwini residents, who have been burdened and overwhelmed by unpayable bills for electricity, water, sanitation and rates.

- NADIA KHAN

This comes after Nathaniel Patchapen, an African Democratic Change (ADeC) councillor in eThekwini, submitted a notice of motion to the municipality’s office of the speaker last week.

The motion was seconded by Mandla Biyela, an uMkhonto Wesi-zwe (MK) Party councillor.

Patchapen said the proposal called for a once-off arrears amnesty, cancelling all historic debt on electricity, water, sanitation, and rates.

A 37-year-old woman from Queensburgh, who declined to be named, said her municipal arrears, which included electricity, water, sanitation and rates, were about R220 000.

She lives with her mother, 85, and three children aged 14, 10 and 6.

The woman, a sales representative, said her bill began “spiralling out of control” about three years ago.

“For years my bills were about R5 000 a month, and I always paid it on time. Suddenly, I received a bill of R85 000. When I disputed it, the municipality claimed it was due to a meter reading.

“My life has spiralled out of control since then. I made payments towards the bill using money for my house bond and then fell behind on that payment. I also paid the bill using money meant for my car installment and fell behind on that as well,” she said.

The woman said her salary was about R19 000 per month.

“I tried to make a payment plan, but I was told I have to make an upfront payment, which I could not afford. | even went to a loan shark to borrow R8 000 to survive and pay one month's bill. I repaid him when I got my birthday bonus, but now he claims I owe him another RSO 000. I try to pay, but with my other monthly expenses and current salary, it is impossible.