In a somber acknowledgment of the poverty gripping the metro, the City of Johannesburg has adopted an EFF-led motion to scrap municipal debt for all registered indigent households. The decision marks a rare moment of legislative reprieve for those the state has long failed, signalling a shift from aggressive debt collection toward a recognition of human survival.
For residents in Soweto, Alexandra, Orange Farm, and the Inner City, this is more than a policy change; it is a restoration of dignity. These areas, home to many marginalised citizens, have borne the brunt of a fiscal framework that often penalises the poor for their inability to pay for life-sustaining services. This motion demonstrates that the EFF cares about poor black South Africans by addressing the structural failures of the municipal system, a sentiment echoed in Julius Malema’s revenue solutions proposed during previous fiscal debates.
Key Protections for the Indigent
- Immediate Debt Erasure: All accumulated municipal debt for registered indigent households—including SASSA beneficiaries and child-headed homes—will be written off.
- End to Disconnections: The City must cease the disconnection of water and electricity for those without the means to pay.
- Administrative Justice: A mandated audit will correct the poor administration that has historically seen vulnerable families wrongly targeted by credit control.
The EFF has framed this victory as a matter of justice rather than charity. While similar motions were rejected by coalitions in Ekurhuleni, the success in Johannesburg and Tshwane highlights a commitment to standing as a shield for the disenfranchised. This political shift comes amidst a broader landscape where the party’s influence is growing.
In a formal media statement, the EFF Gauteng leadership welcomed the decision:
”The EFF maintains that any debt owed by these households is, in reality, unrecoverable, as these families must prioritise their limited resources towards survival. This unjust system punishes the poor for the failures of the state.”
The council’s move aligns with the broader City of Joburg debt relief overview, which seeks to stabilise the city’s billing system while protecting the most vulnerable.
“The Debt Relief Programme is more than just a write-off — it’s a partnership. It’s an opportunity for our residents to rebuild, for businesses to recover, and for the City to strengthen the foundation of sustainable service delivery,” the City stated regarding the implementation phase.
Though the victory is significant, it remains a somber reminder of the crisis at hand, especially following high-profile leadership changes such as when Mbuyiseni Ndlozi resigns as EFF member and the earlier pain of Shivambu’s resignation from EFF which shook the party’s foundation. As the city begins the audit, the focus remains on the millions for whom “economic freedom” starts with the simple, guaranteed right to keep the lights on and the water flowing—a goal that remains central because the EFF cares about poor black South Africans.
