Cape Town First Major Metro to Grant Rates Relief Over COVID-19

Cape Town has become the biggest city in South Africa to offer commercial and private property owners rates relief if they can prove that their income has been negatively affected by the Coronavirus crisis.

In a statement today the leader of the Democratic Alliance John Steenhuisen congratulated Cape Town “for offering much needed property rates relief to Capetonians who have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.” DA-run Stellenbosch, Overstrand and Mossel Bay municipalities already offer embattled ratepayers some form of payment relief.

The city has also made the same rates relief available to individual households on the same terms.

“Qualifying businesses that fall into arrears may apply to make payment arrangements to pay off the rates over an agreed number of months. No interest will be charged, or debt management actions taken for the duration of the arrangement, provided it is honoured. This is subject to formal application, and, once the crisis is over, the municipality will work with applicants to repay the principal outstanding debt on reasonable terms.

The council has also resolved to grant indigent relief to property owners who have lost their jobs at this time of crisis and now have a household income of less than R6,000 per month, the DA said.

“The council will further grant additional rates rebates to pensioners and disabled property owners who have experienced a reduction in investment returns and household income due to Covid-19. The City has adjusted the processes of its Indigent, Disabled and Pensioner rebate applications to enable a faster qualification for these rebates. Instead of the normal three-month assessment period, applicants will now be assessed over just one month of income.”

The DA said residents should take advantage of the relief offered by sending an SMS to 48043, or sending an email to:
Covid19.Relief@capetown.gov.za, Rates.Rebate@capetown.gov.za or Indigent.Relief@capetown.gov.za.