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Social Distancing: Council Appreciative of Rise in MoMo, EFT Payments

More ratepayers urged to do same and stand a chance to win E1,000 fuel voucher

Indications are that property owners are heeding the call for them to pay their property taxes (rates) using digital methods, and Council is highly appreciative of that.

As part of an effort to play her part towards curbing the spread of Covid-19 in the country through promotion of social distancing, the Municipal Council of Manzini encouraged property owners to make use of payment methods that do not require them to visit the Rates Hall; these being MTN Mobile Money and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

Since the beginning of the ongoing partial lockdown period, there has been a rise in the number of payments that have been made through MTN Mobile Money yet in the past there had been minimal use of this payment method. There has also been consistency in the number of ratepayers who prefer payment through EFT. Council pleads with property owners to continue utilising these digital platforms as they pay their rates and other fees due to the Municipality.

Noteworthy is that some of the few property owners who continued to visit the Council offices for cash payments at the Rates Hall have indicated that they had been of the view that there was a Mobile Money number that they were supposed to send the money to. Council would like to clarify that there is no mobile phone number that the funds should be directed to. Instead, after logging into their MTN Mobile Money accounts (*007#), they need to select “Send Money”, thereafter select “Town Council”, from the drop down menu select “Manzini City Council”, thereafter select “Rates”, punch in the 8-digit account number and then confirm the transaction.

Council would like to remind property owners that new rates bills for the 2020/2021 financial year, which started at the beginning of this month, are now available at the post office. However, since citizens are urged to stay home as much as possible so to prevent a further spread of the novel coronavirus in the country, the bills can be emailed to ratepayers on request (oscad@mzcitycouncil.sz/mfanafuthim@mzcitycouncil.sz). SMS notifications have also been sent to ratepayers. Those who may not have received the SMS are urged to update their contact details.

The Municipality would like to encourage property owners to pay the due rates so to make it possible for municipal service delivery to continue as expected. Property owners are also reminded of the exciting promotion which seeks to incentivise those who will pay their rates during the ongoing partial lockdown. Lucky ratepayers stand a chance to win one of E1,000 fuel vouchers. However, only those that will pay either through Mobile Money, EFT or debit order will qualify for a raffle draw that will be conducted as soon as the partial lockdown ends. Rates payment can be done through any of the following banks;

MOBILE MONEY:     *007# Select 1(send money), select 4 (Town Council), select 1(Manzini City Council), select 1(Rates), input account number (eight digit number that starts with 1,2,or3 only), enter desired Amount.