Imagine a family with seven children in Niš, Serbia, drowning in electricity debt that has skyrocketed to a staggering 300,000 dinars! Yes, you read that right – 300,000 dinars of electricity debt, and bailiffs are already knocking on their door, ready to seize belongings from their home. The mother, Tomislava Cvetanović Durković, shared a heartbreaking interview with Kurir TV, revealing the harsh living conditions they endure. Currently, they have electricity and hot water, but the debt has been accumulating for years and has now escalated to unbearable levels.
The original debt was around 30,000 dinars, but due to interest and enforcement costs, it has ballooned to 300,000 dinars. On top of that, a new enforcement order arrived demanding an additional 57,000 dinars to be paid within just eight days, threatening to inventory their household items if unpaid. Although they managed to gather some money thanks to the kindness of others, the situation remains critical. Tomislava tried to negotiate a debt repayment plan, but was met with cold responses – a year ago, they lost their social housing in a fire and now have nowhere else to go.
The husband is the only one working, while Tomislava cares for the children, including a 20-month-old baby and a daughter who was treated for leukemia. Expenses keep rising, and a blocked account for parental allowance further complicates their situation. Lawyer Nemanja Milošević advises the family to try again to request installment payments, while the President of the Chamber of Public Bailiffs, Mr. Vujadin Masnikosa, emphasizes that enforcement is carried out on legal grounds but the state should ensure social protection for such families.
Milena Repajić from the “Roof Over Head” association warns that such situations have become alarming, with people often trapped in a vicious cycle of debt and enforcement, especially single parents. This is a societal problem requiring urgent attention and systemic solutions. While the Durković family fights for basic rights and a dignified life, the question remains how many other families in Serbia face similar dramas silently. If this story sparked something in you, feel free to drop a comment or share your thoughts – maybe your word could be the start of change.
