Call to extend City debt relief

Programme boosted business in Durban's property sector

- THAMI MAGUBANE

A CALL has been made for the eThekwini Municipality to extend its special debt relief programme as it has given a major boost to Durban's property sector.

This is the view of professional bodies, including the Black Lawyers Association and the KwaZulu-Natal Legal Practitioners Association. The organisations have written to Mayor Cyril Xaba, urging the extension of the programme, stating that it has addressed serious challenges that had been stifling the property sector.

The Mercury has seen the correspondence from these organisations addressed to Xaba. Their view is shared by ratepayers and opposition parties in the council, who believe the programme has provided much-needed relief for ratepayers.

Mayoral spokesperson Mluleki Mntungwa confirmed that it had received the correspondence but said it would not be appropriate to discuss the matter through the media.

The Special Debt Relief Programme was implemented by the municipality during May and June this year. The programme's structure offers a 50% write-off on qualifying arrears upon full settlement of the remaining balance. The Legal Practitioners Association stated that the initiative provided much-needed financial relief to ratepayers across the municipality, particularly those affected by economic hardship and undetected water leaks.

"The programme's structure—offering a 50% write-off on qualifying arrears upon full settlement of the remaining balance—was both pragmatic and compassionate. It enabled many households and businesses to restore their municipal accounts and avoid service interruptions while also promoting responsible payment behaviour.