Does CoJ have a workable solution?

Tahnee van Blerk from Roodepoort writes:

With reference to the article published on 20 October 2015, I was also given an incorrect billing date over the past two months, putting my account in an absolute disastrous state. However, I would like to share my frustration with being expected to pay my account on either the 20th/21st (normal corrected due date) of each month when my salary date is the 27th.

I have taken this matter up with the COJ Call Centre, and was advised to go into the office which I did to dispute this however, I was told that there is nothing they can do to change my due date, and that I must make a plan to pay on the due dates stipulated on my statements. I was also advised that if I pay late, I will be given a pre-termination notice which I would have to end up paying an additional R241.68 for, and would possibly have my services terminated should I continue paying late.

I cannot understand how residents are expected to pay for an account before a salary date each month. How? I have previously paid a lump sum into my account, to ensure that it always stays in a positive balance but the council could not manage that effectively either, so paying two months in advance is not an option, no only because of my own financial implications, but it’s a risk due to the incompetence of this accounts department.

I would like to know if the COJ is working on a solution to allow customers/residents to select a pay date of preference, or what more could we as residents do to merely just pay our accounts on time.