At today’s ordinary council meeting, 29 October 2025, the Overstrand Council resolved to write off irrecoverable debt totalling R53 658 380.02.

This decision affects debtors with a predicted income of R9 321 and property values not exceeding R500 000. Only debts outstanding for more than 90 days, following an independent assessment confirming their irrecoverable status, will be written off.

To clarify, residents are advised that this write-off does not include debt outstanding for less than 90 days, which is considered recoverable. Accordingly, residents will continue to receive bills for the current payment period, as well as any amounts outstanding up to 90 days. It is important to note that not all outstanding debt will be written off.

That said, residents do have options to arrange repayment of debts outstanding for less than 90 days, in line with the Council’s Debt Collection and Credit Control Policy. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities to avoid falling back into debt. Please also note that individual debt write-offs will occur only once; it is therefore essential to maintain accounts in good standing going forward.

Verification of all residential property debt exceeding 90 days is currently underway, with final recommendations expected to be presented at the November 2025 council meeting.