Germiston residents received letters for audits, with the heading ”Access to Ekurhuleni Municipality’s Electricity Plant”, from the metro’s Energy Department’s appointed contractors, in August, this year.
The letter read: “Your premises will be visited by the Energy Department’s Staff/Appointed Contractors between 01 August 2014 to 31 March 2015 to perform either routine maintenance work, or to perform other Energy Department related work (i.e. meter inspection). Access to the electric plant situated on the premises will be required.
”In the event of the council staff/appointed contractors not being able to gain access to the council equipment for two consecutive inspections, the council may forthwith discontinue the supply of electricity with respect to the premises to which that equipment relates.
”No person shall wilfully hinder, obstruct, interfere with or refuse admittance to any duly authorised official of the council in the performance of his duty or of any duty connected therewith or relating thereto.
”We will be in your area from 06 August 2014.”
Soon after the letters were delivered, various homes were visited by the appointed contractors who, among other things, performed maintenance work and meter inspections.
It is alleged that the same appointed contractors are, once again, set to visit homes for the second time around.
“More information is required and it is for that reason that the homes have to be re-visited by the contractors,” said the metro’s Franklin Seelamo.
“We appeal to the residents to allow the contractors into their homes; they will give identification to prove that they are from the department.”
A second letter is allegedly being delivered to residents informing them of the second visit.
The letter reads: “Thank you for your co-operation by giving us access to your properties during the audit process which was recently conducted in your area.
”Referring to the first letter that was distributed to request access to Ekurhuleni municipality plant; ‘Your premises will be visited by the Energy Department’s staff/Appointed Contractors between 01 August 2014 to 31 March 2015 to perform either routine maintenance work, or to perform other Energy Department related work (i.e. meter inspection). Access to the electrical plant situated on the premises will be required’
”The audit forms were analysed and discovered that more information is required.”
Due to problems experienced during the first audit process changes were made on the second letter.
“Home owners were asked to send emails or call the department to set appointments so as to avail themselves for the contractors’ visit, but we realised that the wrong email was placed on the first letter and we therefore couldn’t get any emails,” explained Seelamo.
“We apologise, the correct email address for queries or to set appointments is motsamai.seelamo@ekurhuleni.gov.za.”
Residents also experienced difficulties with the phone lines.
“We also received complaints from residents saying they would call and wouldn’t get an answer; to try to eradicate that problem we have added more phone lines: 011 999 1957/0997/2047/011 874 6866,” said Seelamo.
“The added lines, also added on the second letter, will hopefully speed or eliminate the waiting period on the phone.”
“We truly apologise for all the inconveniences experienced during the first audit process and appeal to the community to be patient during the whole audit process and we thank all for their co-operation.”
The expected completion month still remains March 15.
