How to Qualify for the Debt Write-off

The City of Cape Town Council approved the debt write-off of approximately R2,2 billion in old debt for qualifying beneficiaries. This is over and above the expanded rates and services relief included in its new 2025/26 budget. The debt write-off entails an undertaking to pay debts going forward and is part of the City’s good debt management practices aimed at improving a culture of payment.

‘The City’s debt write-off initiative is to offer economic relief for qualifying residents facing hardship and also to enhance the financial sustainability of the metro. In addition to the multiple relief measures introduced in that the 2025/26 budget, it was decided the City would offer additional relief to residents in the form of debt remission for municipal debt outstanding for periods prior to and including 30 June 2024. This is on condition that they enter into an arrangement to pay off the remaining debt. There has not been a significant improvement in the economy since the Covid-19 pandemic due to national and global economic shifts. This has had a detrimental impact on the ability of many residents, across various income and property value categories, to pay their municipal accounts.

‘The debt remission is conditional on residents and various institutions such as NPOs entering into a payment arrangement on their most recent debt, and is intended to incentivise them to settle their future monthly accounts so they do not slide back into debt. We are thankful for the commitment of many residents who continued to pay their accounts during these challenging times. Their commitment enables the City to remain financially sustainable, placing the City in a position to assist those who are currently struggling financially. The City has maintained an annual collection ratio of above 95% during these times of economic hardship. As at 30 June 2025, the annual collection ratio result was 97,83%. It should be noted that write offs will be reversed if payment arrangements are not adhered to.
‘Qualifying customers are encouraged to contact the City. They will be informed whether they qualify when visiting the customer interaction centres or when contacting the call centre with account enquiries or when wanting to make a payment arrangement. The City will continue to provide services, provide relief and be a future-fit metro. All income from rates and services is used to pay for service provision,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Councillor Siseko Mbandezi.

Assistance is available, please contact us for more information:

Debt write-off: payment.arrangements@capetown.gov.za
Rates rebates: rates.rebate@capetown.gov.za
Indigent help: indigent.relief@capetown.gov.za
Call centre: 0860 103 089