“I am encouraged by the strategy that our distribution division has implemented since May of last year to enhance revenue collection," he said. “Since the implementation of this strategy, the payment rate in Soweto, for example, has improved from 12% to 23.9%.”
De Ruyter said the improvement in payments was partly due to the fact that some political leaders had publicly stated there was a need for citizens to pay for services they received as there could be no free ride when it came to service delivery. “We will continue discussions with the government through various formal structures to address the issue of municipal debt, and we will endeavour to find a lasting solution to the problem.
“But it is important as a country that we assert the principle that those who use electricity have to pay for it.” "We are, of course, stepping up our collective efforts. We do try to ensure that low payment rate areas are individually selected in order to step up payment rates," he said.
With R43bn in debt, many private calls must have been ignored. Is this why telkom is struggling too?
With R43bn in debt, many private calls must have been ignored. Is this why telkom is struggling too?