EAST LONDON-The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality(BCMM)aggressive revenue collection campaign took a dramatic turn when the Duncan Village police station was plunged into darkness due to nonpayment.
The Metro’s quest to recover a staggering R8.1 billion from defaulters has left no stone unturned, not even the very institutions tasked with maintaining law and order.
As of June, residents owed the metro a whopping R5.7 billion while businesses and government departments had accumulated debts of R1.4 billion and R83 million, respectively.
To present and those figures have ballooned to R5.7 billion, R1.5 billion and R143 million, the city’s total debt now stands at an alarming R8.1 billion, with a mere R7.3 million written off.
Furthermore Duncan Village police station’s power cut on Monday this week brought operations to a grinding halt with computers, fax machines and photocopy machines rendered useless, but in a testament to resilience, diesel generators kicked in, ensuring the station remained functional.
Community Policing chair Thembisa Bewula voiced concerns about the risks posed by the power outage, particularly given the station’s location.
BCMM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya emphasized that debt collection actions are implemented daily, without seasonal reprieve.
The city has introduced an incentive scheme, offering discounts and bonuses to encourage consumers to settle their debts.
However Ngwenya remained tight-lipped about the police station’s specific debt, citing confidentiality agreements.
In a twist of irony, the Duncan Village police station’s woes come as Police Minister Senzo Mchunu announces plans to relocate the station to a more central location.
The move, slated for completion in the 2028/2029 financial year, aims to bring the police closer to crime-riddled Ziphunzana.
Photograph: supplied
Nontando Mbonwa
31 October 2024
