Tshwane MMC for Finance Jacqui Uys has warned against regressing the financial gains made by the multiparty government in the metro by means of “political sabotage and grandstanding”.
She praised the current administration under DA Mayor Cilliers Brink for making strides in terms of stabilising the financial situation of the municipality.
As far as she was concerned the City has made headway in its efforts to growing cash collections.
“From January to August 2024, monthly cash collection rose significantly from R2.8 billion to R3.6bn.
“This steady increase in revenue has been vital for maintaining and improving municipal services, a sign that the City’s multiparty coalition is rebuilding the City's financial health after the illegal hijacking of the City for eight months in 2020,” she said.
By the City’s illegal hijacking she was referring to a decision by the Gauteng government to dissolve the Tshwane council and place the city under administration.
The decision was subsequently nullified by a Constitutional Court ruling that found the dissolution of the Tshwane council was “unlawful”.
Uys said halting the efforts made by the Brink administration now would risk undermining these gains and cause future instability.
“Halting these efforts now to indulge in political sabotage and grandstanding would risk undoing all the hard work the people of Tshwane have done to get the City back on track.
“Tshwane residents deserve a government that is committed to building a sustainable financial future,” she said.
Her views were aired ahead of the September 26 ordinary council sitting at Tshwane House, where the ANC is expected to unseat Brink through a motion of no confidence.
Both the EFF and ActionSA are expected to support the move to oust Brink.
Since May this year, she said, more than 70 000 robocalls have been sent each month with August seeing 88 000 calls.
According to her, the automated system is proving efficient, encouraging timely payments through value-for-money and measured efforts.
“A total of 153 433 final notices were issued to accounts owing R14.2bn between April and August 2024.
“These efforts demonstrate a sustained push to recover overdue funds, showing the City’s dedication to stop the freeloading of some who believe that their honest neighbours should pay for every service delivered in our communities,” Uys said.
At least 8 696 final demands were sent to accounts owing R1.9bn and the City managed to collect R458 million in August.
“The steady collection over the months highlights the effectiveness of these measures – again targeted not at the folks who shoulder their share of funding services, but those who place themselves above the law,” Uys said.
Legal action was taken against 12 128 customers saddled with municipal debts and the City recovered a substantial R795m from accounts owing R944m.
Uys said: “In June 2024, 3 257 accounts totalling R1.27bn had dunning locks. By the end of August 2024, this figure dropped to 1 730 accounts, amounting to R1bn, with R232m collected from these accounts.
“The reduction in dunning locks signals a sharp improvement in resolving account issues, a necessary step toward stabilising the City’s finances.”
She pointed out that the total debt owed by the top 500 accounts fell from R5.3bn in April 2024 to R4.4bn by last month.
“Particularly notable is the reduction of business debt, where 303 business accounts’ debt decreased from R3.3bn to R2.5bn on average.
“Ensuring that large debt holders meet their obligations is crucial for sustained financial health and the coalition’s focus on these accounts shows clear results that form the basis of quality and reliable service delivery for all,” she said.
Pretoria News