25 February 2005 Press Release Pay your water and electricity account Residents in the City of Johannesburg whose rates, electricity and water accounts are in arrears will be getting Final Letters of Demand from March 10. The City will be vigorously pursuing customers who have outstanding debt, says o Mandy Jean Woods, Director: Marketing and Communications for the Department of Revenue. The purpose of the Final Letter of Demand is twofold: · firstly to get defaulters to pay or make arrangements to pay arrears, and · secondly if the account is in dispute, log a query with Joburg Connect and get a reference number so that the account can be verified. The Department of Revenue will issue Final Letters of Demand to the following areas from 3 March: Sebenza, Klipfontein View, Founders Hill, Longmeadow Business, Modderfontein, Modderfontein, AECI. "In terms of the Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000, municipalities are legally obliged to collect monies for services rendered and it is the civic duty of each resident to pay for services in full", says Woods. It is still incumbent upon residents to pay their average account even if no statement has been received, meters not read or whilst their account is being investigated. Residents are also urged to call Joburg Connect on 375 5555 to update their personal and property details. Accounts can be paid at any Municipal Pay point, Pick 'n Pay, Post Office, ABSA Branch, ATM or online. It must be noted however that payment via third party e.g. Pick 'n Pay, ABSA can take up to five days before the account is credited. "We urge all residents to pay their accounts in full on the due consistently to avoid credit control action", says Woods. ENDS Issued by: Mandy Jean Woods Director: Marketing and Communications Department of Revenue City of Johannesburg Phone: 407 7356 Fax: 403 7738 Cell: 082 553 4211 (Please send sms if urgent) Email: mandyw@joburg.org.za On behalf of: Desiré Borain General Manager: Credit Control Revenue Shared Service Centre City of Johannesburg