It has been reported that security concerns are behind the metro’s decision to temporarily deactivate the online municipal accounts service, DocView.
In an effort to address the frustration endured by residents due to various incidents that impeded on delivery of monthly municipal account statements, the metro introduced the facility, where residents’ monthly accounts were made available in PDF format, to be printed, viewed or e-mailed.
The metro, however, discovered that as convenient as the service was to its ratepayers, it violated online security Acts such as the Protection of Personal Information Act.
This meant that the facility had to be shut down.
Metro spokesman Themba Gadebe explained that the metro is pursuing security compliance in this regard, to ensure that the service and convenience to its customers is reinstated as soon as possible.
In the interim, Gadebe said, the online platform e-Siyakhokha is still available on https://www.e-siyakhokha.co.za and can be used by those customers who also wish to pay their account online.
“The municipality wishes to encourage ratepayers to utilise this platform, which has been introduced for their convenience,” he added.
“Enhancements have been made to the e-Siyakhokha online system and this system allows residents to not only view, pay and download their monthly statements, but also to pre-date payments.
“This platform gives notification of payment, keeps records of your accounts and payments from the time you register to use this system and permits you to query your account while online.”
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