ENNERDALE RESIDENTS URGED TO REGISTER FOR REATHUSA MUNICIPAL ACCOUNT SCHEME Monday, 26 June From 3 to 15 July 2006, the City of Johannesburg will be running special registration days for its recently launched Reathusa Municipal Account Scheme at Ennerdale Extension 9, corner Katz Road & Smit Street, Ennerdale. According to the City's Revenue Department spokesperson Mandy Jean Woods the registration days simply mean that additional staffs are on hand to assist with enquiries and registration and the offices are open for longer hours to accommodate working customers. "The municipal offices at Ennerdale, Extension 9, corner Katz Road & Smit Street, Ennerdale, will be open from Monday to Friday 7:30am to 7pm and on Saturday 7:30am to 6pm during the special registration period from 3 to 15 July 2006," says Woods. The scheme targets people who have municipal accounts with the City and earn a gross income of R 6 500 or less per month. Customers who qualify need to conclude a formal repayment arrangement for half their debt as well as keeping their current account up to date. If they stick to this for the period agreed to and pay their arrears, they will then have their remaining half of their debt written off. "We recognise that people with this level of income have some means to pay, but perhaps not the means to settle huge arrear debts immediately. So this programme aims to create an incentive for these account holders to begin paying their accounts regularly and in so doing, create a culture of paying for municipal accounts as a priority." The rules for the scheme have been kept simple to ensure that the maximum number of people can subscribe, says Woods. The person earning the most income in a household (the breadwinner) may apply. The gross monthly income of the breadwinner should be R6 500 or less per month. They need to have a: valid green SA identity book; valid, recent payslip for themselves and their spouse; recent copy of their bank statement; recent copy of their municipal account. Of course, the account has to be in the name of the person registering for the scheme. The customer can simply present themselves at any of the City's regional offices and they will be assisted to see if they qualify for the scheme and then to register. Reathusa also requires the successful applicants to apply for pre-paid water and electricity (from City Power) meters within 12 months of their application being approved. Application for pre-paid water meters will be in accordance with Johannesburg Water's implementation plan, says Woods. Again, the cost of the meter will be paid by the customer, but the installation cost will be paid by the relevant utility company. Disconnection and reconnection fees charged until the end of June 2004 will be written off at the end of the period of the arrangements. Defaulters will have their arrangements cancelled and credit control action applied. "We believe the scheme will go a long way to assist customers who want to pay but need assistance and will be rewarded for their commitment in meeting the requirements of the programme," says Woods. Ends Issued by: Mandy Jean Woods General Manager: Marketing and Communications Department of Revenue City of Johannesburg Phone: 358-3420 Fax: 358-3639 Cell: 082 553 4211 (Please send sms if urgent) Email: mandyw@joburg.org.za