Pietermaritzburg’s Northern Area Ratepayers and Residents Association (NARRA) has called on the Msunduzi Municipality to get its billing system in order, before conducting disconnections. 

On Tuesday, the Msunduzi Municipality announced that the Qoqimali Disconnection Drive was underway and the team disconnected the electricity supply to a panel beater shop on Saint Andrews Street, due to non-payment of municipal services.

The municipality said that this operation is part of its’ plan to enforce accountability and to recover outstanding municipal debts. The municipality stated that they will continue to ensure that all customers, including businesses and government departments, meet their obligations and contribute to a sustainable, service-driven city.   

On Wednesday, the municipal teams went to Burger Street at the Department of Education’s Head Office, where they disconnected electricity and water services due to outstanding debt owed by Section 21 schools. The municipality did not provide figures for the amount owed. 

“This action reinforces the municipality’s firm stance on recovering overdue payments from key organisations, ensuring compliance and encouraging timely payments. Do not wait for us to come to your doorstep, pay your bills on time,” the municipality warned 

Jimmy Naidoo, chairperson of the NARRA, said they support lawful enforcement and discourage illegal electricity connections however, he said there was an imbalance in the municipality’s approach. Naidoo said this raises a critical question: How can the municipality enforce payment if it fails to bill fairly and consistently?

“While businesses are disconnected for non-payment, thousands of residents remain unbilled. According to the municipality’s own figures, only 129,000 bills are issued monthly, many of which are duplicates due to separate rates and services billing,” Naidoo said. 

The NARRA also noted with concern:

• The municipality’s alleged unwillingness to assist residents through its own debt write-off policy, which imposes unreasonable conditions on those seeking relief.
• The failure to spend R94 million in grants, including allocations for infrastructure and housing, while only achieving soft targets.
• The economic hardship faced by residents, which demands empathy and inclusive solutions—not punitive disconnections.

“We have submitted practical proposals to the municipality that protect both residents and municipal revenue. These include fair billing, transparent debt relief, and community engagement. Yet, these have been ignored,” Naidoo said. 

He added that the NARRA calls on the municipality to:

• Fix its billing system and bill all consumers equitably.
• Implement its debt write-off policy fairly, with realistic terms.
• Spend allocated grants effectively, especially on infrastructure and housing.
• Engage residents respectfully, acknowledging the economic realities they face.

“We stand ready to collaborate—but we will also hold the municipality accountable. Enforcement without fairness is not governance. It’s neglect,” Naidoo emphasised. 

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za 

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