A Randgate resident, complex manager and estate agent, Frans le Grange recently got a massive shock when he opened his municipal bill.
This bill was for September and had to be paid before 7 October.
Frans quickly saw that his billing was incorrect and that extra billing had been added – an extra billing of R999,98 called “basic charge” and another R523 called “basic industrial”. A total of R1 522,98 had been added to his account.
“After I saw my account I went to investigate whether the complexes I manage also had the same billing and found that they had the same extra billing and even more extra charges added,” said Frans.
Read more: Billing issues at the municipality?
One complex consisting of 45 homes was supposed to pay in total R21 994,49. With the extra charges the account came to a total of R98 838,73, R76 844,24 more than the normal charges.
Frans is very upset as he feels that the community was never informed about the extra charges that were put on their accounts. He decided not to pay the extra charges and wrote a letter to the Mayor of the Municipality and Town Manager on 2 October. However, by 11 October he had still not received any feedback from either of them.
Tshidiso Tlharipe, municipality spokesperson told the Herald that the Manager for Credit Control would be in touch with Frans soon, but Frans claims he still has not heard anything from the municipality.
“What must we do? If I don’t pay, the green and red letters will soon start appearing in my mail box,” said Frans.
Frans added that he reacted quickly on the issue to try and prevent these green and red letters appearing. He continued by asking if it is a once off thing or can he expect another extra billing on his account for October?
Several community members who also noted the same added billing on their account contacted local Ward councillors and PR councillors. The Herald requested feedback, but was informed that the council will meet on Thursday 12 October, and a PR councillor will meet with the Mayor on 13 October.
Frans wants to warn the community to carefully check their municipal accounts every month and not pay for anything that is not supposed to be billed.
The Herald will report on the feedback from the council in the 20 October edition.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
