The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has opened its 2026 Debt Relief Programme, providing qualifying account holders with an opportunity to settle outstanding municipal debt over a period of up to 36 months.
The programme opened on 1 September 2026 and applies to municipal accounts with arrears of more than 30 days as of 30 June 2026. Applications will close on 31 December 2026.
In a statement, the municipality noted that it has also decided to accommodate customers who currently have, or previously had, debt relief payment arrangements, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.
“Qualifying customers may arrange to pay qualifying municipal debt over a period of 36 months. Customers who already have an active payment arrangement, or who previously benefited from the 2025 Debt Relief Programme, may still apply for the 2026 Debt Relief Programme.
“However, customers with an existing arrangement must continue to honour their current payment arrangement and pay their current account until their new application has been approved and the new terms and conditions have been confirmed by the Debtor Management Section,” the municipality explained.
The municipality said the debt relief process will be conducted online by Debtor Management staff once the required IT programming has been finalised. In the interim, only application forms will be accepted for processing.
Applications must be submitted in person at the municipality’s customer service counters. Applications cannot be submitted telephonically or directly by email.
Once completed at the customer service counters, the relevant documents will be scanned and emailed to accountrelief@mandelametro.gov.za.
“The original documents, as with pensioners' rates rebate applications, must be listed and hand-delivered to Head Office. Head Office will then deliver the list and supporting applications to the Debtor Management Section and obtain a receipt signature.
“The original documentation is required for audit purposes. Customers must continue paying their current accounts while their applications are being processed,” the municipality said.
The municipality added that a “Do Not Cut” (DNC) notice will be placed on the accounts of customers who apply, with the initial DNC date set for 13 November 2026.
Customers are advised to continue paying their current accounts until they receive communication from the Debtor Management Section regarding the online processing of their applications.
“The DNC will automatically be extended every two months until the online programming is finalised, provided that the current accounts are paid, in line with the process currently used for queries.”
Applicants are required to submit completed application form; checklist; and required supporting documents.
The municipality has encouraged account holders experiencing difficulties in settling their municipal debt to make use of the Debt Relief Programme, provided they meet the qualifying requirements and comply with the applicable terms and conditions. – SAnews.gov.za
