Question NW271 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
07 April 2016 - NW271
Groenewald, Mr HB to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)What is the sum total accrued in respect of arrears service fees that are owing by (a) individuals, (b) businesses and (c) state institutions to municipalities across the country for (i) electricity and (ii) any other services as at the latest specified date for which information is available; (2) Whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
According to the report compiled by the National Treasury in terms of section 71 of the MFMA, as at September 2015, the categories of debtors set out below have arrears on electricity and other services including sewerage, refuse removal and water. The debtor amounts reflected below are exclusive of interest.
- (a) Individuals
|
Service |
Arrears on service fees excluding interest (R ‘000) |
|
R3,772,823 billion |
|
R20,110,377 billion |
(1) (b) Businesses
|
Service |
Arrears on service fees excluding interest (R ‘000) |
|
R5,102,455 billion |
|
R2,983,647 billion |
(1) (c) Sate Institutions
|
Service |
Arrears service fees excluding interest (R ‘000) |
|
602,587 million |
|
989,179 million |
2. My department, in consultation with other stakeholders, has taken various initiatives to curtail the non-payment of municipal arrear debt. These initiatives include auditing and verification of the outstanding government debt, the verification entails confirming whether invoices that are contested by government departments are correct. The team is also ensuring that municipalities have enforceable credit control policies and by-laws.
I will consider whether or not to make a statement in due course.