Residents of the City of Ekurhuleni are increasingly expected to manage municipal accounts online through the Siyakhokha portal, a system used to view statements, submit meter readings, and make payments for rates, water, and electricity. The platform affects households, property owners, and businesses across the metro, particularly as in-person service points remain under pressure and third-party payment systems have been phased out. For residents dealing with billing disputes or missed statements, understanding how Siyakhokha works has become essential.
According to the City, Siyakhokha is now the primary digital channel for municipal account management, operating continuously and replacing several older payment and enquiry processes.
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What the Siyakhokha Portal Is Used For
Siyakhokha is the City of Ekurhuleni’s official online customer service system. It allows registered users to interact with the municipality without visiting customer care centres.
Through the portal, users can:
- View municipal statements and balances
- Pay municipal accounts online
- Submit water and electricity meter readings
- Track payment history
- Log queries, complaints, or compliments
The City says the system is designed to improve turnaround times and reduce billing errors by linking payments and queries directly to verified accounts.
Why the Portal Matters Now
Municipal billing remains one of the most common sources of disputes in Ekurhuleni. Delays in statement delivery, incorrect meter readings, and missed payments can lead to service interruptions or accumulating arrears.
The City has confirmed that EasyPay is no longer used as a third-party payment option, meaning residents who previously relied on that channel must now use alternative retail partners or the Siyakhokha system.
As more services move online, residents without registered profiles may struggle to access up-to-date account information.
How to Register on the Siyakhokha Portal
To use Siyakhokha, residents must first create an online profile.
The registration process includes:
- Accessing the Siyakhokha portal
- Selecting the registration option
- Completing personal details, including a South African ID number
- Creating a username and password
- Accepting the terms and conditions
Once registration is submitted, users receive a verification link or SMS activation code to complete the process.
The City notes that the SMS activation code is not a password and must be used only to activate the profile after logging in.
Linking a Municipal Account
After registration, users must link their municipal account to access billing information.
This requires:
- Logging into the Siyakhokha profile
- Navigating to the profile or account management section
- Entering the municipal account number
- Verifying whether the account is associated or unassociated with the user’s ID number
Only once an account is marked as active can statements be viewed and payments made.
According to the City, this step is critical for ensuring payments are allocated correctly.
Making Payments Through Siyakhokha
Once an account is linked, payments can be made directly through the portal.
Payment options include:
- Once-off payments using a debit or credit card
- Masterpass payments
- Debit order instructions
Payment confirmation is generated immediately, although the City advises that some payments may reflect on the municipal billing system within up to 48 hours.
Residents are encouraged to retain confirmation records in case of future billing disputes.
Submitting Water and Electricity Meter Readings
Siyakhokha allows registered users to submit meter readings during designated billing windows.
To submit readings, users must:
- Log in to the portal
- Select the meter system section
- Enter current water or electricity readings
- Submit within the specified cycle
The City says accurate meter submissions can reduce estimated billing and help prevent unexpected account increases.
Alternative Payment Options Still Available
For residents who cannot access the online portal, municipal bills can still be paid at participating retail outlets.
Accepted payment locations include major supermarket chains, clothing retailers, and hardware stores across Gauteng. Payments at these outlets require the correct municipal account number as a reference.
However, the City continues to encourage online registration to ensure residents can view statements and track payments independently.
Support and Assistance for Users
The City operates a Siyakhokha support desk to assist users experiencing registration or account linking issues.
Support services include:
- Telephonic assistance during office hours
- Email support for account queries
- Logged service requests through the portal
Users must be registered to log queries online, as complaints are linked directly to municipal accounts for tracking and resolution.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
For Ekurhuleni residents, Siyakhokha has become a central point of interaction with the municipality. While the system offers convenience and faster access to statements, it also places greater responsibility on residents to register, verify accounts, and monitor billing activity.
Residents without internet access or digital literacy support may still rely on retail payment points, but limited visibility into account histories can increase the risk of disputes or missed issues.
As more municipal services shift online, access to accurate digital information increasingly determines how quickly problems are resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Siyakhokha mandatory for paying municipal accounts?
No, but it is the primary online system for managing and tracking accounts.
Can I still pay at retail stores?
Yes. Payments are accepted at approved retail outlets using the municipal account number.
Is EasyPay still accepted?
No. EasyPay was discontinued as a municipal payment option.
How long do online payments take to reflect?
Some payments may take up to 48 hours to appear on municipal statements.
Can I log complaints without registering?
No. Users must be registered and logged in to submit queries through Siyakhokha.
What Happens Next
The City of Ekurhuleni says it continues to refine Siyakhokha as part of broader digital service delivery reforms. Updates to billing processes, payment channels, or system functionality are expected to be communicated through official municipal platforms.
Residents are advised to monitor their accounts regularly as the City transitions further services online.
