City temporarily suspends new restrictions for water debt during COVID-19 emergency: All other debt management actions continue

20 March 2020

As a health precaution in light of COVID-19, the City of Cape Town will temporarily suspend new water restrictions for those who are in arrears with their municipal accounts and facing debt management actions. This is an extraordinary decision taken during an extraordinary time. Other debt management mechanisms such as those performed via electricity disconnections or deductions from electricity prepayments will continue.

The City urges customers to accept this temporary action in good faith and to continue to use water sparingly and only for health and hygiene purposes.

At the same time, customers must continue to pay for services to ensure the City remains financially healthy and is able to provide the necessary services especially during a time of crisis.

A careful balance is needed as it can be reasonably expected the City’s finances could become strained as measures are implemented to help manage the crisis.

Customers should also remain mindful of water consumption during Cape Town’s drought conditions and continued rainfall unpredictability while ensuring appropriate personal hygiene measures are adhered to.

The City will communicate further as more interventions and decisions are taken.

Please see https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Financial-relief-and-rebates/Individuals/Apply-for-indigent-rates-relief

For more information go to www.capetown.gov.za/coronavirus

Numerous resources have been made available to members of the public regarding COVID-19. These include:

• The NICD Hotline on 0800 029 999 operates seven days a week, 24 hours a day
• The Western Cape Provincial Government Hotline on 021 928 4102
•  https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
• https://www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/health
• www.nicd.ac.za
• WhatsApp:  0600 123 456

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office