Local resident and pensioner Hartley Philiso is a happy man after the Randfontein Local Municipality scrapped his municipal debtwhich amounts to R29 000.
Philiso is one of the consumers who benefited from a special project initiated by the municipality.
According to mayoral spokesperson Lucky Chiya, the aim of the project is to ease the burden of debt on indigent households who cannot afford to service their municipal accounts due to socio-economic challenges.
The project was initiated at the beginning of the 2013/14 financial year and an amount of approximately R32million was set aside to assist 2 000 beneficiaries.
Randfontein Herald has spoken to Finance MMC Tina Grobler who says that while this is good news for those who will benefit, community members are urged to scrutinize their municipal accounts very closely.
“We have had problems in the past where people have claimed that we have charged them too much on their municipal accounts.
“Owing to this, we urge residents to scrutinize their accounts very closely as some of the problems incurred emanates from various factors which can be avoided.
“These factors include leaking water pipes, taps, and toilets,” says Gobler who adds that leakages are sometimes not visible and hard to notice but can be picked up when you closely observe your municipal accounts statement
She adds that residents are more than welcome to visit their nearest municipal office should they incur any problems in this regard.
