IN CONVERSATION WITH Jacqui Uys The DA's chief whip in Tshwane
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The City of Tshwane has launched a “Black Friday” campaign to encourage
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residents and businesses to settle outstanding accounts, offering a 100%
discount on interest charges for payments made between 1 and 30 November
2025.
Residents and businesses can take advantage of the offer by visiting their
nearest municipal office or by contacting the city via
creditcontrol@tshwane.gov.za or debtcollection@tshwane.gov.za.
While the city is using the initiative as an incentive, it has also reiterated that it
will continue to rigorously pursue those who fail to pay. Tshwane’s revenue
recovery operations remain active each month, targeting residents and
businesses that owe millions in unpaid bills.
According to Mayor Nasiphi Moya, the city has collected just under R40 million
from debtors in November so far, following a massive R4 billion collection in
October. The city has also arranged to recover an additional R8.7 million from
131 accounts.
“We are determined to increase the city’s revenue collection, particularly
following an upbeat performance in October,” said Moya.
Much of October’s R4 billion collection is attributed to the implementation of
the city’s controversial “cleaning levy”, which is currently under appeal after
being challenged in court by lobby group Afriforum. The R200 levy is applied to
residents and businesses using private refuse collection services, with the city
arguing that it is necessary to cover broader refuse processing costs.
Opponents of the levy claim it constitutes double taxation, as the costs are
already covered by normal municipal rates and taxes. Although the levy was
introduced in July, court rulings initially saw the charges credited in August and
September. Following the city’s appeal, these charges were reinstated in
October, in some cases more than doubling bills and contributing to the R4
billion haul. The city has since clarified that the levy will not apply incorrectly to
thousands of accounts, mainly in sectional titles and community schemes.
However, Tshwane faces financial uncertainty: if the Supreme Court of Appeal
upholds the High Court ruling and invalidates the levy, the city will be required
to refund the collections, potentially nullifying its October revenue gain.
The city’s budget is also under pressure due to backdated salary increases
awarded to municipal officials by the South African Local Government
Bargaining Council. Earlier this year, Tshwane successfully contested 5.6% salary
increases for the 2023/24 financial year in the Labour Court, citing affordability.
However, a separate 2021/22 increase of 3.5% was recently approved, forcing
the city to pay backdated salaries totaling around R2 billion over the next six
months. Tshwane has confirmed it will not appeal this decision and intends to
engage with labour to determine a way forward.
In the meantime, the city continues to urge residents and businesses to settle
their accounts—including the disputed cleaning levy—and remains committed
to pursuing those in arrears.
11:10
residents and businesses to settle outstanding accounts, offering a 100%
discount on interest charges for payments made between 1 and 30 November
2025.
Residents and businesses can take advantage of the offer by visiting their
nearest municipal office or by contacting the city via
creditcontrol@tshwane.gov.za or debtcollection@tshwane.gov.za.
While the city is using the initiative as an incentive, it has also reiterated that it
will continue to rigorously pursue those who fail to pay. Tshwane’s revenue
recovery operations remain active each month, targeting residents and
businesses that owe millions in unpaid bills.
According to Mayor Nasiphi Moya, the city has collected just under R40 million
from debtors in November so far, following a massive R4 billion collection in
October. The city has also arranged to recover an additional R8.7 million from
131 accounts.
“We are determined to increase the city’s revenue collection, particularly
following an upbeat performance in October,” said Moya.
Much of October’s R4 billion collection is attributed to the implementation of
the city’s controversial “cleaning levy”, which is currently under appeal after
being challenged in court by lobby group Afriforum. The R200 levy is applied to
residents and businesses using private refuse collection services, with the city
arguing that it is necessary to cover broader refuse processing costs.
Opponents of the levy claim it constitutes double taxation, as the costs are
already covered by normal municipal rates and taxes. Although the levy was
introduced in July, court rulings initially saw the charges credited in August and
September. Following the city’s appeal, these charges were reinstated in
October, in some cases more than doubling bills and contributing to the R4
billion haul. The city has since clarified that the levy will not apply incorrectly to
thousands of accounts, mainly in sectional titles and community schemes.
However, Tshwane faces financial uncertainty: if the Supreme Court of Appeal
upholds the High Court ruling and invalidates the levy, the city will be required
to refund the collections, potentially nullifying its October revenue gain.
The city’s budget is also under pressure due to backdated salary increases
awarded to municipal officials by the South African Local Government
Bargaining Council. Earlier this year, Tshwane successfully contested 5.6% salary
increases for the 2023/24 financial year in the Labour Court, citing affordability.
However, a separate 2021/22 increase of 3.5% was recently approved, forcing
the city to pay backdated salaries totaling around R2 billion over the next six
months. Tshwane has confirmed it will not appeal this decision and intends to
engage with labour to determine a way forward.
In the meantime, the city continues to urge residents and businesses to settle
their accounts—including the disputed cleaning levy—and remains committed
to pursuing those in arrears.
