Water account write off is imminent – Uthukela
The people listed as ‘indigent’ have already had their accounts written-off. We are hoping that the write-offs would reflect on all statements before July"
It’s almost three months since Uthukela District Municipality Speaker Tim Jeebodh made an announcement that’s been hovering over the community.
“Water account arrears will be written off,” he said in early March 2014, assuring residents that the changes should be reflected on their accounts by the end of the month or April.
Since then some residents have been questioning the write-offs, as there was no change in the amount they owed the district municipality.
Some said it was an “election ploy” which was used as a tool during the ward four by-election and May 7 general election. (See reader’s views on page 6).
These views were put to Mr Jeebodh on Monday, which he promptly rejected.
“The water write-offs have already began.
The people listed as ‘indigent’ have already had their accounts written-off.
We are hoping that the write-offs would reflect on all statements before July,” he said.
He added that public meetings across the Uthukela district would be held to inform residents that all historical debt will be written off and consumers will begin paying the current rate of R7.94 per kilolitre.
“It is unfortunate that this took such a long time but there are processes to go through to make this decision legal and binding to satisfy provincial government and the Auditor General’s office,” said Mr Jeebodh.
R100 million has been budgeted for during this financial year for the write-offs.
The original decision to write-off historical debt was taken during a district municipality council meeting on November 29, 2011.
It was reaffirmed in March this year.
The announcement was made soon thereafter.
