Schools will not be spared from having their services disconnected by the Msunduzi Municipality, which is clamping down on those owing it in an effort to recover billions owed for services rendered.
The municipality said last week it will begin with the defaulting customers, and urged those who are owing to come forward and make arrangements.
Last year, it was reported that the municipality was owed more than R5 billion by consumers, and it went on an aggressive disconnection campaign to recover a portion of that money.
In a statement on Monday morning, the municipality warned the public that schools that are owing are going to have their services cut.
“The Msunduzi Municipality wishes to inform the public that it will commence the disconnection of schools with outstanding debts related to municipal services and rates. This decision comes after repeated opportunities were extended to the Department of Education to address these overdue payments,” said the statement.
It said the Msunduzi Municipality operates on revenue generated from all customers, including educational institutions. Ensuring the financial stability of municipal services is critical to maintaining the quality and consistency of essential services for the entire community, it said.
The statement said that despite the municipality’s best efforts to provide extended deadlines and support, the outstanding balances have not been resolved.
“The municipality values the role of educational institutions in our community and understands the impact this decision may have.
“However, it is imperative to uphold fair and equitable billing practices for all users of municipal services. Schools with outstanding debts have been notified of the impending disconnection and are encouraged to make the necessary payments to avoid service interruptions,” said the municipality’s statement.
The municipality said it remains committed to working collaboratively with the Department of Education to resolve these issues promptly.
“Our goal is to ensure that all stakeholders can continue to benefit from the services provided by Msunduzi Municipality without disruption. Thank you for your attention to this important matter,” said the statement.
The Mercury