A number of residents approached the Herald about the same municipal issue – exceptionally high bills.
In June this year, the Herald reported about a Finsbury resident, Bokkie Pule, who had received a outrageously high municipal bill. She has been complaining about her seemingly faulty water meter for the last five years but the numerous municipal workers who were sent to her home on various occasions to investigate, all told her that the meter was in working condition.
However, the municipal bill for more than R36 000 she received last year left her shocked, angry and feeling helpless. Bokkie then decided to do her own investigation in her home to determine whether there were any leakages that could have pushed up the water bill, but could not find any.
Read more: Sky-high bill leaves resident in shock
“They told me that they were estimating our water usage. How can you do that?” Bokkie asked furiously.
Bokkie received a number of letters from the municipality – first the so-called green letters and later red letters – stating that her account was in arrears and that she needed to settle the outstanding amount.
During a protest march with other community members, she realised that numerous others in the same area were battling with incorrect billing. They also felt that they had done everything in their power to bring their problems to the municipality’s attention. They also showed the Herald a petition book with approximately 20 names.
“We have been to the municipal office numerous times, we have spoken about it during the recent IDP meetings – you name it, we have done it,” said Leonard Short.
He is one of the many complainants in the area who believe that they should pay a flat rate, that the municipality is estimating their water usage and that their meters are faulty.
“We are sick and tired of being robbed and neglected,” said Short. He said that the community is unable to afford the rates and that some are in the process of selling their houses because of it.
The Herald asked the Rand West City Local Municipality for feedback and met up with their spokesperson, Tshidiso Tlharipe.
Read more: Fewer pay their municipal bills
“We noted the continued dissatisfaction of the Finsbury community,” said Tlharipe. The Executive Mayor, Mzi Khumalo highlighted the problem during the IDP meeting that took place in Finsbury.
Community members were advised to –
• read their own meters and compare it with the municipality’s readings. Start reading the meter on the first of each month until the 15th, and then from the 15th until the last day of the month. This will serve as proof of whether the municipality’s billing is accurate, or not.
• check for water leakages in their houses. First close all taps, then the main water supply. If the meter is still running after everything has been closed, there is a leakage somewhere.
• check their readings and multiply them by the cost of one unit.
The municipality has extended policies regarding those who are unable to pay their bills in a particular month. Ratepayers can contact the credit control unit to make an arrangement to settle their account.
“The municipality will discourage any member of the community to instigate homeowners to dishonour payment of their services … it will erode their relationship with the municipality. The municipality will apply all measures if credit control policies take effect,” said Tlharipe.
The municipality also wants to put it on record that it applies legislation in terms of which ratepayers are to pay for the services they consume. The municipality will not be in a position to allow a flat rate to be paid by any community as there is no legislation in that regard. Most importantly, the municipality wishes to point out that no municipality in South Africa promotes a flat rare as a form of payment.
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.
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