No-go areas emerge as Msunduzi probes revenue collection sabotage

Some parts of Msunduzi have effectively become no-go areas for municipal officials, with meter readers and inspection teams in certain communities only able to operate under security protection, as the municipality struggles to enforce credit control and improve revenue collection. The situation was outlined during a recent council meeting, where the City’s chief financial officer, Nelisiwe Ngcobo, gave councillors a first-hand account of the operational obstacles facing revenue teams, including areas where officials struggle to work safely and where enforcement cannot proceed as intended. Council will investigate allegations that some councillors and officials are using community members to undermine the City’s revenue collection efforts by obstructing meter installations, blocking revenue collection, or encouraging communities to resist credit control measures across many parts of the city.

The call for an investigation was made by the DA after a closed-door caucus with Ngcobo during a recent special council meeting. “It is abundantly clear that we have a serious problem with collecting revenue from those who can afford to pay,” DA caucus leader Ross Strachan said. There is a disturbing lack of co-operation during enforcement operations, particularly from security personnel, who fail to assist during disconnection drives.

Strachan proposed that the council mandate City manager Felani Mndebele to seek assistance from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) to conduct an independent investigation. “If any officials or councillors are found to be sabotaging revenue collection, they must face criminal charges regardless of political affiliation,” Strachan said, adding that DA councillors should not be exempt if implicated. The proposal drew sharp responses from some councillors, who accused the DA of grandstanding. ANC councillor Joyce Ngubo said work was already under way to improve revenue collection, including replacing electricity meters in several wards.