8 May 2006 Press release GOOD FLOW OF REGISTRATIONS FOR REATHUSA MUNICIPAL ACCOUNT SCHEME The Reathusa Municipal Account Scheme, the City's Department of Revenue's initiative aimed at assisting the indigent and poor in the city to rehabilitate their municipal accounts and create a culture of payment amongst its account holders, has seen a steady flow of registrations since its launch on 01 February 2006. To date, over three thousand applications have been received. The principles of the Reathusa scheme are that the customer concludes 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. The Reathusa Municipal Account Scheme will target municipal account holders with a gross income of R6 500 or less per month. Revenue Department spokesperson Mandy Jean Woods says, "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 number of registrations indicates that the scheme is being well received." 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 and the account has to be in the name of the person registering for the scheme. To register, visit any municipal office and bring along the following documentation: 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. The Reathusa Scheme 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. The cost of the meter will be paid by the customer, but the installation cost will be paid by the relevant utility company," says Woods. 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. Regisration for Reathusa will end on 31 December 2006. Ends Issued by: Mandy Jean Woods General Manager: Marketing and Communications Revenue Management Unit City of Johannesburg Phone: 358-3420 Fax: 358-3423 Cell: 082 553 4211 (Please send sms if urgent) Email: mandyw@joburg.org.za