Birchleigh resident expresses concern over unattended electricity billing

A Birchleigh resident voiced his concerns after the CoE failed to take regular meter readings at a meter box to which he has no access.

Gerrie Janse van Rensburg said he had not received his meter readings for over six months.

Janse van Rensburg told the Kempton Express that, during that time, he only received interim readings.

The frustrated resident said he sent several emails to the municipality and his ward councillor, but they did not resolve the issue.

“I feel frustrated and angry that I receive a bill based on estimated values and not correct values because I am trying my best to reduce electricity use and the bill.

ALSO READ: Misused municipal vehicle confiscated by EMPD

“I do not get the benefit from my efforts. I have installed solar solutions to help with the load-shedding and reduce my electricity bill.

“In Birchleigh and other suburbs in Kempton Park, the electricity meters for the houses are in locked boxes on the sidewalk. Each box contains meters for about 12 residences.

“This is why we can’t take the electricity reading ourselves,” he said.

“The municipality has implemented a system where the public must submit their own reading without considering that many can’t access o the meters.

“If they did consider this, then they have not informed staff which areas are unable to submit electricity readings.”
Janse van Rensburg said the problem started last July.

ALSO READ: Campbell scoops award at Women Municipal Leadership Excellence Awards

“We started receiving interim billings in July 2022. In December last year, Ekurhuleni did a reading and correction.
“Then they did interim readings again until July when they finally took another reading.

“I cannot remember when I last received a bill in the mail or even a notification via email to access it on the app or online.

“I normally check after the 10th of the month if the new bill was generated,” said Janse van Rensburg.

He said he suspected the municipality and the councillors were aware of the problem.

“Everyone blames it on the new system and they say it was not their choice to change it, but they are not communicating with the community about these problems.

“Instead, they keep telling us to submit readings, which we are unable to do,” he said.

Janse van Rensburg pleaded with the municipality and ward councillors to communicate with residents.

“Instead of making excuses, the municipality should find solutions to these problems and communicate their challenges properly to the affected community members.”

ALSO READ: Municipal employee arrested in theft case

Janse van Rensburg said he had applied for the meter to be changed to a pre-paid meter.

“The call that I logged was closed without it being actioned.”

He said he also emailed the application form to the energy department but never received a response.

“We are all struggling with our finances with interest rates that are sky high, fuel and food prices are going up every month, and we are all trying to save where we can. A R200 saving on an electricity bill can go toward paying for food, fuel or even settling debt.”

The spokesperson for the CoE, Zweli Dlamini, said strides were made monthly to reduce and eliminate the non-submission of actual readings.

“The implementation, unfortunately, resulted in a lapse of service standards and the city is hard at work to ensure reading taking returns as soon as possible,” he said.

ALSO READ: Birch Acres resident fed up with a manhole

Dlamini said the city processes deviation reports where incorrect meter readings and no readings are reported and systematically addressed.

“Where consumers are negatively affected, they are welcome to contact the city to raise such concerns for resolution.

“The issues arose due to a complete overhaul of the system.

“Unfortunately, some issues arose in the implementation, but we are addressing them. The city apologises for any inconvenience caused.

“Some electricity meters are usually not accessible to the public for access due to legislative requirements and public safety concerns.

“However, the city has introduced a new self-service meter management system that allows residents to capture and send their own readings, where accessible and should they wish to.

ALSO READ: Darkness still looms over Birchleigh

“This functionality is available on the Siyakhokha tab on the My COE App, choosing ‘Meter Systems’ and following the prompts,” Dlamini said.

He also encouraged residents to use and connect to the Siyakhokha Whatsapp Business Channel by texting ‘Hey Siyakhokha’ to 060 667 7177.

Dlamini said the app provided a single platform for all queries and concerns, from resolving account issues to submitting meter readings.

Residents can also visit their local customer care centre and submit the readings to a designated consultant.