The Bela-Bela municipal officials promised during the recent annual draft budget roadshow that they are in the process of fixing every service delivery issue in town.
But for one resident, Chopper Mothokwa, an anti-poaching specialist from Skierlik, in the Bela-Bela Township, this is long overdue.
“The municipal water meter outside my home has been broken and covered with dirt for a very long time and still I am being hammered that I owe on my municipal account,” said Mothokwa. He has reported the broken meter on several occasions.
“I asked the municipality how are they able to bill me if the meter does not work and they told me that “they guess” what amount I have to pay. This is total rubbish and unacceptable.”
Mothokwa claims that he first realised there was a problem when he received a municipal account overcharging him on services in January 2018. The amount was more than R3 000 and has increased over the passing months due to interest. He claims that his household consumption cannot be that much.
“I took the matter up with the municipality and they promised to look into the issue. The provision of electricity and water to my house was disconnected and in the days thereafter I reported the broken water meter and the suspension of services more than five times, nothing has been done about it — I still owe them.”
His services has since been reconnected, but a week prior to his meeting with The Post, he claims his family suffered again due to the suspension of services.
“It is unfair that we are forced to pay for services and the municipality does not fulfil their part or come through when you have a problem.”
Mothokwa said he is planning to reach out to the Bela-Bela Taxpayers Forum (BBTF), who might be able to assist him.
Moabi Morubitshi Jankie Sentsho, an advocate at the Bela-Bela magistrate’s court and resident from Lesideng, filed court documents against the municipality in March, after experiencing the same problems with his billing account.
In the court documents Sentsho said that the municipality suspended the electricity to his house due to a disputed outstanding amount, which he claims is unfounded. He also claims that his right to suitable and proper services has been violated and his family and business is suffering because of it.
The court ordered that Sentsho’s electricity be restored, however, five working days after granting it on Friday 15 March, no apparent action has taken place.
The respondents in this case are the municipality, Melvin Marutha, the chief financial officer, Sello Michael Makhubela, municipal manager, and Jeremiah Ngobeni, mayor.
In the latest draft order the respondents were asked to appear in court on Friday, 3 May and provide the court with reasons why they did not follow through on the previous court order issued in March 2019.
Kabelo Mosito, municipal spokesperson said that the municipality is aware of these issues and the court matter is still pending.
“If someone wants to lodge a dispute, whether it is electricity or water related, the best thing to do will be to go to the municipality’s offices or contact the customer care division. They will then direct the dispute to the relevant department,” said Mosito. “In some instances, the customer care team will be able to assist with the issues that are reported.”
