The City of Johannesburg launched Operation Buya Mthetho (Bring Back the Law) campaign which aims to get back unpaid municipal bills. This move follows suit of Tshwane which has begun disconnecting electricity supply of companies with outstanding bills.
The crackdown in Johannesburg aims to regain R38 billion from companies with unpaid bills. The luxurious Sandton Mall was among the targeted buildings on Wednesday. The mall, which is famously known for selling expensive clothing brands, allegedly owes R158 million.
Mpho Phalatse, the mayor of Johannesburg, and her team went to Sandton on Wednesday and switched off electricity and water supply of businesses with unpaid bills. Radisson Blu and Premium hotel are among the businesses who have been affected for non-payment of about R14 million.
Before the operation was launched, the city informed the affected businesses of the termination of their services due to unpaid bills. Clients are given an opportunity to make payments and failure to do so would result in what has happened in Sandton.
Preston Gabby, the general manager of Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square, said the mall’s owners have been following social media updates and are aware of the developments which have taken place.
Meanwhile the City of Tshwane has been successfully able to recoup over R300 million owed to it from government, state owned entities and businesses.
Source: IOL, News24, Times Live
