WES-KAAP. – Mosselbaai-munisipaliteit het tydens ’n spesiale raadsvergadering op 6 Februarie 2026 eenparig tydelike finansiële verligting goedgekeur vir huishoudings wat deur die Januarie-brande in Aalwyndal, Island View en Vakansieplaas geraak is.
Die verligting geld van 1 Februarie tot 31 Julie 2026 en sluit onder meer vrystelling van munisipale betalings, geen rente of boetes, gratis heraansluiting van bestaande water- en elektrisiteitsdienste en die opskorting van sekere heffings in. Huishoudings wat water tydens brandbestryding voorsien het, kan ook verligting op buitengewone hoë waterrekeninge ontvang, mits bewys gelewer word.
Normale fakturering sal ná 31 Julie hervat word.
Lees die volledige verklaring hier onder:
𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀
Mossel Bay Municipality acknowledges the distress and hardship experienced by residents whose homes were affected by the Aalwyndal, Island View and Vakansieplaas fire in January 2026. In recognition of the financial impact caused by the incident, Council has approved compassionate, temporary financial relief measures to support affected households during the recovery and rebuilding phase during a special Council meeting today, 6 February 2026.
These measures, unanimously accepted by Council are designed to provide immediate, structured and fair assistance, while allowing families the space to restore their lives and homes with dignity.
𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱
The approved support measures will apply from 1 February 2026 to 31 July 2026, after which normal billing and credit control processes will automatically resume.
𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀
During the relief period, affected property owners will benefit from:
• Exemption from municipal account payments for six months
• No interest or penalties charged on outstanding balances
• Waiver of deposits required for the reconnection of municipal services
• Free reinstatement and reconnection of existing water and electricity services, at the Municipality’s cost
• No service connection or reconnection charges
• Suspension of availability charges and basic service charges, recognising that full access to services has been disrupted by fire damage.
Importantly, these interventions apply only to households affected by the fire for the restoration of services as they existed prior to the fire and do not include new connections, upgrades or alterations.
R𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲
Council has also acknowledged that some households assisted in supplying water during fire fighting efforts, resulting in unusually high water consumption beyond residents’ control.
𝗜𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀:
• Water charges will be limited to the household’s average monthly consumption over the previous 12 months
• Relief will be granted upon provision of acceptable proof from Fire and Rescue Services, Disaster Management, or similar confirmed sources
𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
Affected property owners will be identified by the Acting Director: Community Safety in terms of the Fire Report compiled by the Disaster Management Department of the Municipality.
In addition, delegated powers were awarded to the Municipal Manager to consider ad hoc requests for relief for persons not identified whose properties have been affected by the fire.
Residents requiring further assistance or clarification are encouraged to engage with the Municipality through the appropriate channels.
