Residents plead with City of Joburg over billing burdens

The City of Joburg narrowly escaped a total shutdown during the lockdown.

The city says it only survived because many residents kept up their payments and now, residents are pleading for the city’s help.

Many residents say they just can’t afford to pay continuously growing bills.

Many have lost jobs or income and simply can’t pay for services.

The city says people should make payment arrangements.

Lizzy Kaperemera from Kibler Park isn’t even sure how to start, with a water bill of over R500,000.

“We are struggling we are owing our bonds, we are owing our cars, our staff has not been paid we have no income and we tried to apply for UIF also it’s stuck and the City of Johannesburg wants me to make arrangements with money. Where on earth do I get that money?” Kaperemera asked.

Another Joburg resident, Betty Jiyane from Evans Park faces a similar situation.

Jiyane was paying her bills, until the last three months, now her bill has shot up to more than R100,000.

“They have to be honest with us and they don’t read the meter,” she said.

The City of Johannesburg says it has a plan to help.

“It’s the two categories we are looking at first those who can’t pay at all, we have the city’s social expanded package programme where we encourage customers to approach our regional offices to be enrolled and provide necessary documentation and proof that they don’t have income,” said Jolidee Matongo, Joburg MMC for Finance.

The country’s largest city says it’s been able to weather the COVID-19 storm but it’s going to take some time before everything returns to normal.

Source: eNCA

In other news – Enhle Mbali strikes again, demands R500 000 from Black Coffee for holidays

Sunday World reports that Enhle Mbali, the ex-wife of popular DJ Black Coffee, has increased her divorce case demands in court. The Sunday paper says Mbali wrote to the Joburg high court and she now wants Black Coffee to pay her R500 000 per year for holidays.

Mbali also told the High Court that Black Coffee made her lose income when they were still married, after he banned her from taking part in any romantic roles where kissing was involved. Learn More

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