Background: In South Africa, the growth in the amount owed to municipalities for municipal services rendered, is at an all-time high. The culture of non-payment of rates and taxes for the municipal services is not a new phenomenon. This study is undertaken to determine whether a selected municipality applies its credit management policy to manage the phenomenon of non-payment. Aim:The study investigated the effectiveness of a municipal credit management policy, from the residents' perspective, within a municipality in the Sedibeng district.Methods: Quantitative analysis was applied through a descriptive research design. Primary data were collected from residents through a self-administered questionnaire. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) (version 28) was applied to perform a descriptive analysis and exploratory factor analysis. Results:The sampled municipality failed to enforce its credit management policy and was also unable to fulfill its service delivery responsibilities, according to residents' responses. Conclusion:This article recommends that a municipality must enforce its credit management policy to generate responsiveness from residents. This can be done through introduction of debt recovery policies and offering discounts for timeous payment. In addition, the municipality needs to improve its service delivery.Contribution: This article proposes that residents' responsiveness to the municipal credit management policy is affected by negative attitudes towards the municipality due to poor service delivery as well as challenges with affordability of municipal services.

Background: Municipalities have come under fire for providing inferior services, which has sparked protests across the nation. Fraud, corruption, misappropriation of public funds and general incompetence on the part of municipal managers and their staff have been the problems that have crippled most municipalities.Aim: To investigate the association between the municipal credit management policy, responsiveness and service delivery, within a Sedibeng district municipality.Methods: This study applied quantitative analysis. The primary data were collected from residents through a self-administered questionnaire. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) (Version 28) was applied to perform the descriptive analysis and correlational analysis.Results: Key findings of this study revealed a significant positive correlation between credit management and service provision. The relationship between the credit management policy, responsiveness to credit management and service delivery is substantial. Therefore, the quality of service delivery increases with improved credit management.Conclusion: The study showed that there is a significant connection between credit management, credit management responsiveness and service delivery.Contribution: Based on the findings, it was advised that the municipality should implement rebates and discounts for paying customers, constantly review crucial credit policies and ensure the provision of high-quality services. The study concluded that there is an association between credit management, responsiveness and service delivery.