A resident of Meyer Road in Bordeaux had his water cut off by City of Joburg officials on 20 January without any notice of disconnection.
According to resident Sanjeev Ishwarlall, he told officials that he had been waiting for his bill. “He cut my water off and left.” Ishwarlall settled his account at Randburg Rates and Taxes, but is still struggling to get his water reconnected. He phoned a call centre representative at the City of Joburg and the representative told him that he cannot see a payment being made.
Ishwarlall said that he has property in Ferndale and the water there has been cut off as well. “There is nobody residing at this property. They went to take a meter reading at this property and I received a bill for R16 000.” According to Ishwarlall, it is not possible for the bill to be that high. “I should have received a 21-day notification, that gives me time to sort out my account,” said Ishwarlall. He said the same situation occured last year. He had no water for over three months without any reason.
Ward 102 Councillor David Potter said that the resident should have received a pre-termination notice. “If he received a pre-termination notice in the last three months, it remains valid for three months. The City does not have to issue another notice, they can just disconnect,” said Potter. He further explained that payments made at retailers and by EFT can take up to five days to reflect on the City’s system. “To ensure that payments are reflected quickly on the City’s system, [one must] pay them at a City Revenue Walk-in Centre with cash or by credit card. Randburg Walk-in Centre is situated on the corner of Bram Fischer Drive and Jan Smuts Avenue and is open between 7.30am and 3pm daily,” said Councillor Potter.
Questions were sent to City of Joburg officials, and comment is awaited.
Details: City of Joburg, 086 056 2874.
