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Tshwane Community Group to Boycott Budget Consultations Over Debt Relief Dispute
A civic organisation representing residents of Lotus Gardens, Atteridgeville, and Saulsville has declared its refusal to participate in the City of Tshwane’s public outreach programmes until urgent concerns around the metro’s debt-relief scheme are addressed.
The Lotus Gardens, Atteridgeville, and Saulsville Civic Association (Lasca) has taken a firm stance against the City, demanding a total write-off of municipal debt for indigent households. The group argues that the current relief programme, approved by council in February, has failed to deliver on its promise for many struggling residents.
Their protest comes as the City prepares to launch its public participation process for the 2025/2026 budget and integrated development plan.
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Lasca chairperson Tshepo Mahlangu said the community made the call to boycott following a mass meeting where residents expressed dissatisfaction with the city’s approach to debt relief. Many rejected the scheme’s conditions, insisting instead on unconditional cancellation of their municipal debts.
“The community gave us a clear instruction: no cooperation with the City’s outreach initiatives until their debts are written off,” Mahlangu said.
He also confirmed plans for a mass protest at Tshwane House, demanding an audience with the mayor. Residents are angered over what they view as broken promises from city officials during a recent mayoral imbizo in Atteridgeville.
Among their complaints is the use of private consulting firms for billing estimates, which residents blame for inflated and inaccurate municipal bills.
Lasca initially welcomed the debt-relief initiative in February, which promised to cancel up to R10 billion in municipal debt. At the time, Mahlangu praised the move, saying it signaled that the City was finally responding to residents’ needs.
However, the programme requires that households must first pay off all debt incurred in the past 12 months and meet other conditions to qualify—terms that residents now see as too restrictive.
The City’s debt crisis remains severe. As of November 2024, residential customers owed R15.83 billion, while businesses were behind by R6.74 billion. According to official estimates, about R9.84 billion of residential debt could potentially be written off if enough households sign up.
Deputy Executive Mayor and MMC for Finance Eugene Modise has firmly opposed blanket debt cancellation, calling it unworkable. Still, he recently extended the deadline for residents to apply for the relief scheme from March 31 to May 31, in response to mounting pressure.
“This extension gives financially strained households and businesses more time to participate, while also helping the City improve its financial stability,” said Modise.
The programme has already helped the City reduce its debtors’ book from nearly R30 billion to just over R25.6 billion.
Despite this progress, frustrations in communities like Atteridgeville continue to mount, with growing calls for a more inclusive and unconditional approach to debt relief.
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Sourced: IOL
Picture: The Citizen
