A confused resident recently visited the Herald with an enormous water and electricity account.
Bokkie Pule has been complaining for the last five years about her water meter that seemed to be faulty.
During 2016 she received a bill for more than R36 000, which left her shocked, angry and helpless all at the same time.
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“The municipality told me that we are all sharing a meter with the municipality, which I did not understand at all,” said Bokkie.
The municipality sent out numerous people to check whether the meter was working and the result each time was that the meter is in working condition. Bokkie then decided to investigate in her home to determine if there is any leakage that may have caused the big bill, but could not find anything.
“They told me that they are estimating our water usage. How can you do that?” said Bokkie furiously.
Bokkie then went to the municipality again, having being there numerous times before, and managed to reduce the bill to R840.
“I feel it is not fair to have to pay for something I do not make use of. How can I use R36 000 of water?” asked Bokkie.
As time went by Bokkie received another letter from the municipality, this one being a green letter stating that her account is in arrears and that she needs to settle the outstanding amount of R1 226,02 within seven days.
The Herald asked the municipality for feedback on this matter.
“The municipality is disappointed in the manner in which the matter is being handled. We feel that there can be a better way in which the matter can be resolved unpublished. We advise the complainant to directly call me to find a speedy solution on the matter,” said the local municipality spokesperson, Tediso Thlaripe.
Bokkie feels that the matter can be resolved if all residents are supplied with prepaid meters. She also told the Herald that if the matter is not sorted in the near future, she will arrange a protest.
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