No choice but to pay
A Northmead resident was charged R42 000 on his utility bill in October.
According to a copy of his statement, Gert Prinsloo was expected to pay that amount the following month.
Gert received a final notice in November, stating that his bill had not been paid, although he has been paying every month with statements that are proof of this.
“The meter broke and no one has come out to fix it,” said Poppie Prinsloo, Gert’s daughter.
“My mother has reported the meter every time she has gone to pay the bill at the office.”
Apart from paying R1 100, Gert pays an additional R700 to pay off the R39 638 that is outstanding.
He does this in order for his lights and water to not be switched off.
According to Poppie, her father received a new bill for February at the beginning of February.
“How can they bill him for a new month without knowing how much water and electricity he will use for the month?” she asked.
There have been countless emails sent back and forth between Poppie and the municipality.
She has also reported the matter through the municipality’s website and received a reference number, although she cannot keep track of its progress.
Poppie, who has made many attempts to rectify the problem, said she has little faith that it is being solved.
“The municipality has not been proactive in dealing with the matter,” she added.
Her father has now installed a prepaid electricity meter.
The municipality was approached for comment but none had been received at the time of publication.
