28 June, 2005 Press Release MUNICIPAL ACCOUNT HOLDERS REMINDED TO PAY THEIR ACCOUNTS IN FULL, ON TIME As Final Letters of Demand are once again being sent out to thousands of municipal account holders, they are again reminded that they should pay their account in full and on time to avoid having credit control action taken against them, says the City's Department of Revenue spokesperson Mandy Jean Woods. "It is incumbent on residents to pay their average account even if no statement has been received, meters not read, or whilst their account is being investigated. Residents should call Joburg Connect on 375 5555 to update their personal information, their property information and to log queries about their accounts," she says. The City's Credit Control process is as follows: Accounts are payable on or before the due date. Three days after the due date, all overdue accounts go through a filtering process to validate the accuracy of the account. (This takes 2 days). Thereafter a final letter of demand is sent that gives notice to restrict services within 14 days. (This is not an extension of the due date, but rather a last opportunity to pay overdue accounts.) Thereafter services are restricted and overdue accounts are handed over to attorneys to recover the outstanding monies. "We have payment facilities with a number of business partners including all major banks where you can pay either at their branches, through the ATM system or via their internet banking facility, says Woods. Customers can also pay their accounts through any SA Post Office, at any EasyPay outlet (like Pick 'n Pay), at any municipal paypoint or at an ABSA or other participating banks' branches, ATMs and internet facilities. ENDS Issued by: Mandy Jean Woods Director: Marketing and Communications Department of Revenue City of Johannesburg Phone: 407 7356 Fax: 403 7738