Double billing can kill
Mother and daughter fear father may die if electricity gets cut.
The double billing implemented by the Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) recently has left one family fearing for their loved one’s life.
Matt van Wyngaard, 57-year-old long-time Randfontein resident is permanently on oxygen after a series of health scares. Van Wyngaard has an enlarged heart that functions at only 30 per cent of its normal capacity. His lungs function at only 10 per cent of their capacity.
His wife, Annetjie, suspects that his health issues were brought on by his being struck by lighting while on the job. He used to install phones before he retired. Van Wyngaard allegedly never claimed for being injured on duty as at the time he seemed fine. However, following the incident his health started deteriorating.
Van Wyngaard is permanently on oxygen. He said the pain he experiences after being without oxygen for short periods of time is more than he can bear, let alone being without oxygen for long periods.
Annetjie said he cannot go without oxygen or he will die. The other option he has is to go to hospital, but the family is knee-deep in hospital bills already and Van Wyngaarden, who is a pensioner, is the only one with an income.
Van Wyngaard has said he fears going back to hospital. He said having tubes in his body and being tied down is something he wants to avoid at all costs.
In addition to Van Wyngaard’s health struggles, the family battles to make ends meet. To make matters worse they recently received a double municipal bill, which they paid in fear of the electricity being cut. Shortly after that, they received another bill for twice the amount of the double bill.
It is unclear whether the bills are for the double billing implemented for October, or whether it is a system error.
The family is unable to pay their extra municipal bill, in fact, Annetjie said they barely have food in their home. When the Herald visited the family, Annetjie showed the journalist the little food she has left in the house for the rest of the month.
Van Wyngaard’s wife now fears for her husband’s life because the family’s electricity may be cut.
“The other night I had a dream of waking up to a dark house – the power was cut. When I reached over to my husband I found he was cold. I dreamt he was dead,” she said.
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