RESIDENTS in Umbilo have expressed their shock at the outrageous electricity bills received by the municipality, and claim they have endured an ‘unending squabble’ with the municipality over electricity readings.
Louisa Hitchcock, says it is a waste of time providing the municipality with meter readings as these are not captured on the system.
“We do so and get an email back thanking us for the readings, but they are not captured. When we receive our bill, the words ‘not read’ appear on the account under the heading of meter readings. My daughter, Helen, this month received an account for R27 000, when it is usually about R2 500,” she said
Louisa said the municipality had captured a ‘totally fictitious’ meter reading and charged her for 15 000 units as well as adding on an estimation based on that figure for an additional seven days.
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“The meter readings are sent on the first day of each month, being for the full period of the previous month. It just boggles the imagination that an error of that magnitude can slip through the system,” she said.
Each month Louisa sends a schedule from the MOTH Cottages for four units and the same thing happens. There is acknowledgement that the have received the meter readings but still estimate the accounts.
“There is absolutely no use in any of us sending in incorrect figures because when the municipality do come and read the meters themselves we would be caught out very quickly with horrid financial consequences,” she said.
Another resident, who lives in a one bedroom flat in Umbilo, receiving a bill for R490.52 and paid R700 leaving him with a credit balance of R209.48. He was shocked to receive a bill the next month for R135,539.08.
He said while trying desperately to sort the matter out with the municipality, they had in the meantime attempted to disconnect his power supply.
“I phoned the office of the manager of the bill reading and spoke to his secretary who was obviously surprised by the bill. She asked for an actual reading which was conducted on that day by a municipality worker. I didn’t hear any more after that and thankfully my lights are still on, however, I received the latest bill last week with an exorbitant amount still showing,” he said.
Responding to queries eThekwini Head of Communications, Tozi Mthethwa said the City did not discuss matters pertaining to a customer’s account with a third party.
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“If customers need to query bills they can phone our Call Centre on 0801313013, visit their local Sizakala Centre, come to our Customer Services Offices at Prior Road Durban
or email us at eservices@durban.gov.za. If you are not satisfied with the service you have been given you can address the matter directly with the supervisor or ask to speak to the relevant manager, or request an appointment if he/she is not available,” she said.
Mthethwa said councillors also provided an important supporting role in ensuring that customers are assisted satisfactorily.
“As a caring City, eThekwini Municipality has a debt relief programme whereby residents and/or customers are encouraged to come forward and make arrangements to pay off their outstanding debt in terms of the Municipality’s Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy. This can be done by visiting their nearest Sizakala Centre,” she said.
