Joburg reassures residents as rumours swirl over missing municipal payments

Confusion spreads as online claims go viral

Johannesburg residents woke up to growing concern this week as social media posts claimed that municipal payments were disappearing from accounts, leaving people vulnerable to incorrect billing and possible disconnections. In a city where billing issues often strike a nerve, it did not take long for the rumours to gain traction.

But the City of Johannesburg has stepped in to clear the air, calling the claims misleading and urging residents not to panic.

City says payments are reflecting as normal

According to the City, all payments made through official channels are being processed correctly and are appearing on municipal statements. Officials say suggestions that money paid since 19 January is missing from the system or the e-Joburg portal are simply untrue.

The City also dismissed claims that residents who are fully up to date with their accounts could be disconnected. Officials reminded residents that the Credit Control Policy protects customers in good standing from any form of credit-related cut-offs.

Reports of system outages spark concern

Part of the anxiety stemmed from claims that the City’s two central billing systems had gone offline and that customer service centres stopped taking payments on 2 February. Some residents also shared screenshots of zero-payment histories on the e-Joburg portal, suggesting a system-wide glitch going back two years.

For a metro managing more than 1.5 million accounts, the idea of a system failure of that scale naturally set off shockwaves. Online groups and community WhatsApp chats were buzzing with worry, with some residents questioning whether late fees or disconnections might follow.

City calls rumours unnecessary and misleading

The City has strongly pushed back on these narratives. Officials say the misinformation is causing unnecessary concern and that residents should avoid relying on unverified circulating messages.

Customer Service Centres, they insist, are operating normally and continue to accept payments in person. For residents who prefer human interaction over online systems, this remains a dependable option.

Why accurate communication matters in Joburg

Joburg’s billing system has long been a sore point for many residents, which is why claims of system failure spread so quickly. Past hiccups have created a level of distrust, and officials now face the dual challenge of managing the actual system while also managing public perception.

This latest scare highlights the importance of clear communication between the City and its residents. Officials have renewed their call for residents to use official City channels for updates, noting that community pages can often fuel confusion rather than clarity.

Approved ways to make municipal payments

For residents wanting to double-check their processes, the City has reminded users where payments should be made:

• EasyPay at Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite and similar retailers
• Debit orders
• Direct bank deposits
• ATMs
• Internet and cellphone banking
• SA Post Office
• The e-Joburg portal
• City of Johannesburg Customer Service Centres

For queries, residents can contact Joburg Connect on 0860 562 874.

{Source:The South African}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com