TshwaneYaTima hits the CBD

In the latest round of Tshwane Ya Tima operations, the metro sent 10 teams to disconnect properties and residences around the CBD on Tuesday, March 5.

The revenue collection campaign, which started in 2021, is on a drive to disconnect the electric power of defaulting clients who run up high service bills and fail to pay their monthly invoices.

City manager Johan Mettler, Finance MMC Jacqui Uys and MMC for Human Settlements Ofentse Madzebatela were joined by city officials, metro police and city engineers to disconnect properties that owe the metro money.

Rekord accompanied the metro to some of the spots marked for disconnection.

“The campaign continues to be pivotal for the city. The mayor continues to speak about the importance of rescuing the finances of this city so Tshwane Ya Tima is at the forefront of this. We are owed about R22.5-billion, so what we are now doing is targeting the top 1 500 debtors,” Madzebatela said.

Madzebatela was speaking outside an Arcadia building believed to be owned by the SAPS. The campaign cut the lights of one of the units reportedly owing the metro R1.9-million.

“At the end of the day, by-laws must be enforced. We must collect what is owed to the city. For those who cannot pay, there are many options that they can pursue,” Madzebatela said.

“Firstly, come to our offices and make an arrangement. Secondly, if you can’t afford [to pay] and are in a residence you can come forward to be registered [for] the indigent programme.

Madzebatela thanked those who are keeping their accounts up to date.

The metro also disconnected the power of the entire local shopping centre, which according to the metro, owes R3.9- million.

“We often find that people don’t understand how their accounts and disconnections work. If you are unsure if you can pay your bill, approach the metro, take responsibility for your debt and make payment arrangements,” Uys said.

“If it is in the case of a home and it’s a poor community, approach the city to arrange a payment plan that can accommodate you. There is no reason to not settle your municipal account.

“Various tenants will now be affected because the landlord is not paying the bill,” Uys said.

“He gets the rent and has the responsibility to pay it to the city, we as the city have the responsibility to collect that money and render services to the people.”

The MMC said the metro has put measures in place to ensure bills on prepaid meters don’t continue to rise to astronomical rates.

Previously the metro focused on all residents that are in arrears, though now they are using their resources to address those that owe larger amounts.

“It is through looting and criminality that we find ourselves in the position we are in now. Some illegally connect while others take the metro seriously. It is only through the people standing up and taking responsibility for what they use, that we really move forward,” Uys added.

The team also targeted a student accommodation on Church Street, and another on Pretorius Street believed to be owing R2.7-million and R2.5-million respectively. Another apartment block on Hamilton Street owes R1.9-million.

Residents at the locations marked for disconnection were displeased by the metro’s visit, though Madzebatela said this was an extreme measure the city took after several warnings were issued.

“Before we even get to disconnections, one would have many communications with the city. You would’ve been told that you are owing and that you’re supposed to be paying. Then you get your warning letters and then your final demand.

“Then a job card is issued which the municipal workers are required to present before disconnection. You must give access to the building. Failure to do so will result in the metro police being called,” Madzebatela added.

He added that locks placed on meters that don’t belong to the city will be cut off and that residents and properties must have city-approved locks on meters when credit control is being done. Should unauthorised locks continue to be used, fines will be issued.

Regarding electricity by-laws, tampering, interference or by-passing is deemed to be an offence in terms of section 27(2) and (3) of the Electricity Act, 1987 (Act 41 of 1987) and makes the perpetrator guilty of an offence. Upon conviction, the perpetrator will face a fine and/or imprisonment.

Last month, the campaign targeted many residences and properties in Pretoria North and hosted a Billing Days Outreach Programme in Atteridgeville and Soshanguve.

The outreach focused on the following:

– Meter reading and invoicing

– Credit control and assistance with payment arrangements

– Billing enquiries

– Social development (indigent programme)

– Electricity queries

– Issues about late estates

Despite the metro’s efforts, residents remain unpleased by the disconnections.

One of the managers at the student accommodation on Church Street said that they have been in a constant battle with the metro over electricity issues over the past five years.

“They said they will send engineers, people to come look and they never send anyone. I’m very unhappy. Every month we have to go to Princess Park to sort this out,” said resident, Lien van der Merwe (79).

“They charge us from the smart meters, R66 000 for the energy to the property, not the electricity. Then it went up to R77 000, then R102 000 and so on,” Van der Merwe said.

Her son said the accommodation can house up to 38 people, though it’s never been full since Covid.

“This is crazy, I don’t know what’s happening because for five years no one came and we have what, 40 people taking pictures of one meter.

“Do you know how many times she’s [referring to Lien] been to the town council with nothing done? Probably 10–15 times, the emails and so on,” he added.

“My wife and I have been to the council too many times also, now they’re coming with cameras and the news, they want to cut the power.

“Let them cut it, at least something is finally being done,” he said.

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