Johannesburg's debt relief scheme closes on 31 October
More than 18,000 residents have applied to clear R2bn in old municipal debt. The city stresses that relief is not automatic and current bills must still be paid.
Johannesburg — Johannesburg residents and businesses behind on their municipal accounts have until 31 October to apply for the fourth phase of the City's Debt Relief Programme, SAnews reports.
So far 18,043 applications have been received, covering R2.052 billion of outstanding municipal debt.
What applicants need to know
- Relief is not automatic: each application is assessed individually against the Council's criteria.
- How much relief depends on the customer category and the debt involved.
- Current bills must still be paid each month under the programme's rules.
- Send complete documents, using the application form and required supporting papers.
- Beware of middlemen: use only official City channels; nobody can guarantee approval for a fee.
Applications can be made at the City's revenue customer service centres or online at www.joburg.org.za.
"We are making a final appeal to all qualifying residents and account holders who have not yet submitted their applications not to wait for the last minute," said Kgamanyane Maphologela, the City's director of communications in group finance. The City says the aim is to help people in financial difficulty restore their accounts while building a culture of regular payment that supports service delivery.
Source: SAnews, 16 October 2026.
