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There has been a change in policy from Joburg Water and City Power, and according to Ward 112 councillor Candice James and spokesperson for Barbeque Downs, the department has altered the turnaround time for payments without notifying residents.
“Previously residents had a grace period to pay their lights and water accounts without having their amenities shut off,” said James.
The department’s new policy now requires residents to pay their accounts on a specific date or run the risk of having candlelit dinners and cold showers.
This was a major issue for the Joburg Water department as the department was left with unpaid bills.
The new policy ensures that owners of properties are obliged to pay for their bills regardless of their situation. This would assist the department in processing payments and provide fast and efficient services to the public, the entity said. Additionally, new homeowners and residents would not be left to deal with bills left outstanding by former titleholders. The new policy does not, however, help existing homeowners who are currently paying previous owners’ bills.
However she could not confirm whether some Vorna Valley residents who have had their amenities shut off were due to this policy, however an investigation is underway.
James emphasised the lack of a grace period does not protect homeowners who are letting out their properties. “Renters are also to blame, they do not pay their levies and rents on time, leaving the homeowners to [pay],” she said.
“Many Vorna Valley and Barbeque Downs residents have [had] their electricity and water shut off over these few months without being notified. I get tons of calls a day as residents complain about this change in regulation,” James said.
She added that the department needed to seriously reconsider this policy as many homeowners make electronic payments which take four days to process. Residents pay on their due date but have their electricity and water shut off for as long as four days while their payments are being processed.