Lotto comes to Drakenstein (editorial)
2005-09-08
THE Lotto mentality has finally reached even the Municipality.
The “stick” method has become totally ineffectual - no threat of sanctions will move anyone who has nothing, to pay his municipal bill.
Especially if his neighbour is already getting away with non-payment.
So why not try the “carrot” approach - also known as the “Lotto comes to Drakenstein” method - to encourage people to pay their municipal rates and taxes.
But first the debtors need a clean slate. That is why the municipal council has decided to write off R52 million in arrears in the hope that the payment record of the residents will improve.
Of course, if they had implemented the new system five years ago, the amount written off would have been half this figure, or much less.
But better late than never. A bankrupt municipality would certainly be worse than a malfunctioning one.
The “carrot” dangled before the noses of ratepayers is a range of cash prizes amounting to R100 000 which is to be given away every three months to those who have no debt.
And even for those who are still in debt, there will be consolation cash prizes totalling R7 000.
Debtors will, unfortunately, not qualify for the annual grand prize of a car worth R100 000. Thus they may enter the Lotto, but can’t win the grand prize.
Just as well - for once the paying public should really be the ones to be rewarded.
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