Pensioner’s power payment problem

A pensioner (64) from Randpark Ridge Ext 4, lives in agony as her monthly municipal rates balance is escalating. She believes the bills are inaccurate. Although the woman, who wishes not to be named, qualifies for rebates from the City of Joburg, her plight has affected her sorely. Her electricity has been cut off on a few occassions as she failed to pay the exorbitant bill.

She tried numerous times to arrange for her payment with City Power, but instead of receiving help, she was advised to renew her Expanded Social Package (ESP) and submit the form for a rebate. “I phoned City Power with my meter readings and was told to pay,” she said.

Though it may seem too much to handle, she was then charged about R9 000 rates. She then signed to repay R3,555.88 at R104.40 per month. She was told that she must pay R12, 324.71 or they will cut off her electricity again. This is the amount being charged for rates from Sep 2013 till June this year.

“I went there on 25 June. [I] had all the right papers and was there with my partner who is 90 years old. He is deaf, blind and has a heart condition,” she complained. Even today she is still being charged for rates after she had submitted all the forms to renew rebates since she was cut off in August 2012.

Ward 98 councillor Laurette Van Zijl explained that the pensioner reported the problem to her and she tried to solve it with the City. “When City Power changed her meter everything was mixed up. There was a time she was charged R15 for her monthly electricity and when she inquired she was told it was fine,” said van Zijl.

City of Joburg Group Finance spokesperson Kgamanyane Maphologela said during their investigation it was discovered that the pensioner had since not re-applied for pensioner rebates after it expired in June 2012.

“The pensioner never re-applied, that is why she is not receiving the pensioner rebate currently. The pensioner can re-apply in order to receive the pensioner rebate going forward,” said Maphologela. Maphologela added that it was important for customers to re-apply for the pensioner rebates every four years in accordance with the City’s valuation roll.

“Customers must be mindful that the rebates are granted for a maximum of the valuation roll and the re-application would be required,” he concluded.

Details: Ward 98 Councillor Laurette van Zijl 082 330 0593; City of Joburg 011 358 3420.

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