Based on issues collecting millions owed by prepaid customers in Soweto, Joburg Water is waging a serious war on illegal water connections.
In a recent statement, the entity said the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) is struggling to collect the R100 million owed by 138 723 customers who have prepaid meters in Soweto, thus far only being able to collect R9.1 million.
“This is attributed to meters having been illegally bypassed by the residents,” the entity explained.
Based on the outcome of various probes into the uncollected debts, Joburg Water has resolved to embark on a bylaw enforcement project city-wide by which those failing to pay for prepaid water are getting cut off. The project launched in March and is expected to run throughout winter.
In normal circumstances, an illegal connection unit within the entity would respond to tip-offs from various sources and interventions, including analyst reports.
“The illegal connection unit would then conduct an investigation at the reported stand; should the finding result in a confirmed illegal connection or damaged or vandalised meter, a compliance notice will be issued on the spot to the occupant of the property or left at the premises if nobody’s home,” Joburg Water spokesperson David Sibiya in a statement said.
The notice will outline the finding and a suggested remedy to the problem. The investigator would assist the customer in legalising their water connection. Customers receiving such a notice are required to visit their nearest walk-in centre with a copy of their ID and the notice at hand.
“This has to happen within 14 days from the date of issue, and failure to comply with the time frame will lead to water disconnection,” Sibiya said.
Following the procedure above, a new meter is to be installed at the premises and normal billing and usage to resume.
The following is considered illegal and can be reported to Joburg Water:
• Operating a water supply system without consent from Joburg Water
• Interfering with or damaging a water supply system
• Disconnecting or breaking the seals of water meters
• Preventing or restricting Joburg Water’s access to a water supply system
• Bribing a Joburg Water employee
Contact Joburg Water’s anti-fraud hotline (toll-free) on 0800 15 00 00 to report illegal conduct.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
