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.
Read the initial article here: Billing issue: Resident’s account in the red
Frans asked to speak to the Mayor and a number of ward councillors decided to investigate the matter as well. When Frans opened his new account for the month of October, he got billed the same extra costs as he was billed the previous month.
The Herald decided to investigate the problem and met with municipal spokesperson, Tshidiso Tlharipe about the resident’s unhappiness.
“There was a fault where people were charged for business rates and not residential rates. We acknowledge the mistake,” said Tshidiso Tlharipe.
The municipality requests affected community members to go to the municipality’s water and light section and ask for Nomathemba Yanta, who will assist them to correct the bill.
The community can also contact her on 011 411 0273 to seek clarity on their accounts.
“The municipality acknowledges its mistake and therefore apologies to the affected business people who operate their affairs in residential areas,” said Tlharipe.
Frans confirmed to the Herald that his account was sorted out, but 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.
PR Councillor, Eddie Krog, confirmed to the Herald that he will be meeting with the Mayor on Friday, 3 November to discuss the matter.
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