MyZA

News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff

You are here: Home / News / We Reject NMBM’s Debt Amnesty

We Reject NMBM’s Debt Amnesty

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) rejects the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro’s (NMBM) decision to write off up to 50% of households and businesses’ overdue municipal debt through an amnesty programme. This sends the wrong message to law-abiding taxpayers and may encourage non-payment. All residents with overdue accounts can apply for amnesty. A deposit of […]

The post Freedom Front Plus rejects NMBM’s debt amnesty appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) rejects the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro’s (NMBM) decision to write off up to 50% of households and businesses’ overdue municipal debt through an amnesty programme.

This sends the wrong message to law-abiding taxpayers and may encourage non-payment.

All residents with overdue accounts can apply for amnesty. A deposit of 2,5% of the outstanding amount must be paid immediately, with only half the remaining balance payable over 12 months. The rest is written off.

Two-thirds of the Metro’s residents are currently in arrears on their accounts. Meanwhile, the debtors’ book of R18 billion is rapidly approaching the Metro’s total annual budget of R21,58 billion.

The Freedom Front Plus also warned that the 12,74% electricity tariff hike disregards residents’ financial situation and will lead to more overdue accounts and electricity theft.

There are thousands of illegal electricity connections in the Metro, but no consistent action is taken against offenders. These individuals are effectively rewarded, while honest citizens who pay their accounts monthly receive no relief.

The Freedom Front Plus proposes:

  • Remove illegal electricity connections.
  • Penalise electricity theft.
  • Enforce debt collection fairly.
  • Reward loyal payers with discounts.

Indigent residents should receive targeted relief through the Assistance to the Poor (ATTP) programme, not a populist write-off also benefiting non-payers.

The solution lies in financial discipline and law enforcement, not in debt amnesty.

Financial sustainability requires justice and respect for taxpayers.

Freedom Front Plus Historical Context: The FF Plus emerged from the political changes following the end of apartheid.

Read More at the Source

Category: Tag: , , , , , , , , , ,

If you feel strongly about this article then feel free to send MyZA a ‘Letter to the Editor’ using the submission form below:

Letter to the Editor

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
If this is in response to an article please include that article title here or as the lead in for the first paragraph of your Letter below.

Separate tags with commas

Localise your letter by naming the city your words are about. Add relevant words describing your subject. Single comma separated words of no more than 5
Your Name(Required)
Your Name will be linked to the website below.
Your personal, business or social media web site
Choose NO to not set up a user account on MyZA. User Accounts will allow you to submit letters under your own Author Name

3 Latest Letters to the Editor:

  • Fun South African fact

    Dear Editor Fun South African fact: towns like Franschhoek and Stellenbosch are home to world-class wine farms set in stunning, scenic surroundings. Regards Aressa Smith In Response to/From: Luxury Properties Seized in New Lottery Crackdown

  • Condolences on the Passing of Lusanda Dumke

    Statement by Leander Kruger MPL – DA Buffalo City Constituency Leader: The Democratic Alliance in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality mourns the passing of Springbok Women’s rugby player and Mdantsane trailblazer, Lusanda Dumke, who lost her battle with cancer at the age of 28. South Africa has lost an exceptional athlete, a leader, and a source…

  • Rape Kits Delivered, But…

    Statement by Nicholas Gotsell MP – DA NCOP Member on Security & Justice: The DA can confirm that 2 840 rape kits arrived in Cape Town on Monday, following sustained DA oversight and pressure after multiple police stations across the Western Cape were found to be without this critical forensic evidence tool. While this delivery…

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jol – party / to have fun [jo-rl] Similar to ‘kiff’ or ‘kief’, jol can be used in any context to express having a good time.Example: “I’m going to a jol tonight!” / “I’m having a jol!” / “It was such a jol!”