Pensioner struggles to update rebate
JOBURG - While the City of Johannesburg has adjusted the criteria for pensioner rates rebates, it still seems to be a struggle for the elderly to utilise the system.
Pensioner Geoff Horwitz was shocked at the terrible service he witnessed while trying to submit his forms at the Region E service centre in Fredman Drive, Sandton.
Horwitz described the experience as “disgusting” in a frustrated letter to Ward 73 DA councillor Marcelle Ravid, which read: “I wanted to get my application in early, so I went to the service centre on 2 July. I checked on the Internet to see at what times they were open and saw that they were open until 4pm.”
Horwitz explained that when he arrived at 2.45pm the centre was closed, and he was told by staff to “come back tomorrow”. No drop-off box was available, and, according to Horwitz, faxed or E-mailed applications would not be accepted.
Horwitz, who suffers from painful sciatica, pleaded, “Can the city council not devise a simpler method for people with creaking bones or diminished eyesight, and possibly living off a tight budget, to apply for their rebate?”
He added that he now had to rely on a “notoriously unreliable postal system” and that he would have to return to the centre, once again.
Ravid said she knew that the system was down on the day of the incident, and she has raised with matter with the relevant officials. She does think, however, that something could be done to avoid such situations, and she suggested installing a drop-off box at the entrance or giving pensioners priority in the queue. “I have suggested that they take a copy of their form which can be stamped as proof of their submission”, she added.
Ravid explained that the building’s stairs were problematic, and she asked, “Could we not put up a sign that shows the easy way round, such as through the garage?”
She said she hoped that a “good solution will be found”, and that the principles of City’s motto Batho Pele (“put people first”) would be at the forefront of each officials’ mind.”
The nearest walk-in centres that can be used are in Sandton (Corner Fredman Drive and 5th Avenue) and in Braamfontein (161 Jorrissen Street).
Details: 0860 JOBURG (0860-562-874), www.joburg.org.za, joburgconnect@joburg.org.za
