Another Bezuidenhout Valley resident has come forward about incorrect billing from the City of Joburg (CoJ).
Mrs Fatima Franks said she recently received a notice stating she owes the CoJ R5 228.91.
She said prior to this, in a bid to reduce electricity expenses, she applied for a prepaid meter in November 2014.
“I was told the meter will be installed within three weeks and I’m still waiting. Instead, they have installed a smart meter which gives abnormal readings.
“I couldn’t understand how as I applied for a prepaid meter. Instead, I received a smart meter. When I went to the offices, I was told the smart meter can be converted to a prepaid meter. I told them I wanted my prepaid meter, which I have paid for, and that my charges are abnormal and don’t correspond with the meter reading,” said Mrs Franks.
She visited the CoJ twice to report the incorrect billing but her complaint fell on deaf ears.
“In both cases I ended up paying R10 000 as the problem was not attended to.
“I went to the offices and spent my whole afternoon there because I had to sit and wait to be assisted. When I eventually managed to speak to someone regarding my case, I was sent from pillar to post.
“I applied for my prepaid meter in Booysens and was sent to Doornfontein to check what the problem was, but with no help. I have been going there every month with no luck. I was given the manager’s number but when I called he didn’t pick up. I left a voicemail but he never came back to me,” said Mrs Franks.
“I now only pay for what we use. If I keep on paying, the problem will never go away,” she said.
“We can’t afford to pay for what we have not used. We try by all means to make sure our electricity usage is not high. We switch off lights in rooms we are not using. We switch off the geyser and switch it on when we are about to bath, but it does not make a difference,” said Mrs Franks.
She said she has been taking photos of the meter readings and when she goes to the CoJ offices with the photos, the photos are not looked at
“They just say they will send people to check. They have sent six people in one day and it didn’t make any difference. In other months, no one even comes to perform the readings which confuses me – where do they get the readings from?” she asked.
Mrs Franks also objected to a letter which was placed on her gate to say she owes the CoJ money.
“People passing by could read the notice and it was my personal business. I don’t understand why it was not posted to me, or the person who delivered the letter could have knocked to see if we were at home,” said Mr Franks.
Another resident, Mrs Costa, said she is also experiencing a similar billing problem.
The CoJ’s Office of the Ombudsman advised residents to report problems by completing complaint forms and submitting these, together with copies of their identity document, rates and taxes statements and any other corresponding documents or photos.
The forms can be accessed from the website www.joburgombudsman.org.za or by visiting the office at Wildsview II, 36 Boundary Road, Isle of Houghton, Houghton estate.
