Have old municipal debt? You may qualify for Cape Town debt write-off incentive

The City has a special assistance initiative to write off old debt in an effort to help qualifying customers. It also acts as an incentive to encourage residents to pay off their current debts. 

Qualifying customers may apply for the write-off of arrear debt older than about three years, provided they enter into a payment agreement with the City for the remainder of their debt.

This is one of the City's ways to offer support to those who are struggling, but at the same time to encourage a culture of payment. 

"When one has a lot of old debt, it often becomes increasingly difficult to keep up with payments of both the old debt and current debt. By giving qualifying customers this opportunity, it not only reduces the pressure on them, but also provides a clean slate to encourage them to pay what they can and keep up to date with their payments."

- Siseko Mbandezi, the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Finance

How to qualify:

• Enter into a debt payment arrangement for current debt.
• Debt older than three financial years will be considered to be written off automatically.
• A condition of the payment arrangement is that the debt which is written-off, will be reinstated if customers default on their instalment plans.

Documents needed

• Copy of ID
• Proof of income
• Current account to be paid upfront plus an additional sum towards the arrears. This will be determined by the front office and based on affordability
• Three months' bank statements
• Affidavit if unemployed
• If the account is in more than one person's name, then a letter of consent will be required plus all the documents above.

For more information

Visit the City's customer contact centres for assistance or contact the City Call Centre: 0860 103 089.

Or email: Payment.Arrangements@capetown.gov.za.