Editor – I received a notification slip from Alfred Duma Local Municipality, advising us that an electrical inspector had called at our house but unfortunately could not check our electricity meter.
The form further stated that we must phone the number as shown within three working days to make an appointment for an inspector to visit our premises.
Failing this, our electricity supply would be disconnected.
Now the municipality must please inform us what would happen if I purchased prepaid electricity every month and went away for an extended period.
Is it possible that your inspectors would disconnect my electricity even though I had paid for it already?
I am a pensioner and also a qualified electrical engineer.
According to my lawyer friends, if the municipality should disconnect my electricity and I have already paid, it is illegal and the municipality would be liable for all loss of food in fridges and freezers. And any other loss or damages caused due to the disconnection.
Power sharing is a completely different matter, as it will be reconnected. I have been in Ladysmith for four years and six months, and I have water and electricity usage per day for that complete period, as I read it daily, except for times that I am away.
I also have all the receipts for rates, water and electricity, with their corresponding receipts as proof of payment. (Available for inspection if you so wish at our premises)
I cannot advise the municipality each time I go away, as sometimes it is a spur of the moment thing. It could be up to three months or even more if we so desire.
So please advise if the municipality is prepared to accept responsibility should I experience loss of food, etc.
Even worse, if the power is disconnected, my house could be burgled, as the alarm would not activate. My house could be cleaned out and therefore I would claim all that is taken, which could amount to hundreds of thousands of rands at replacement costs.
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