Winklespruit pensioner irked by city water bill error
I called in my own plumber to check for leaks and he found one by the meter.
A Winklespruit pensioner is at her wit’s end after the municipality’s refusal to rectify her erroneous water bill.
Val Hazell (76), who resides in Shirley Road, said she received a bill of R9,593 in September. “A balance of R4,318 from August was added to my bill of R4,663 in September,” she said. “I called in my own plumber to check for leaks and he found one by the meter.”
The meter, situated outside her property, is the municipality’s responsibility. She called and complained to eThekwini and they sent out a team. “They had a cursory look around and were in the process of leaving when I caught and made them dig by the meter and they found the leak, which they repaired. They gave me a reference number for the repair, which I took to the Winklespruit office.”
In October her meter reading dropped to below 21-kilolitres, compared to the municipality’s reading of 100 the previous month.
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“From November I paid what the usage said. The problem is the outstanding amount which they say I must pay, although the leak was at the meter. I have visited the centre and phoned them countless times. One man I spoke to said he would send an email to his supervisor but nothing has been done about it.”
Her January account, mailed on 27 January but only received on 12 February, said she still owes R10,789 and the municipality is threatening to cut off her water.
“I’m choked up with rage,” said Val. “I don’t have the money to pay it and then claim for a refund. There is a limit to how much you can put up with. The threatening letters make it worse, as is the cheeky response you get when you phone. I’m worried they will lose my accounts and then I don’t have a leg to stand on.”
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In response to the SUN’s queries, eThekwini head of communications, Tozi Mthethwa told the Sun on Wednesday, 14 February the relevant department is attending to the query and will revert to Val.
Customers who need to query their bills are encouraged to do any of the following:
* Phone the call centre on 080-131-3013.
* Visit your local Sizakala Centre.
* Visit the customer services office in Prior Road, Durban.
* Send an email to eservices@durban.gov.za.
If you are not satisfied with the service, you can:
* Address the matter directly with a supervisor.
* Ask to speak to the relevant manager, or request an appointment if they are not available.
Customers can also contact the revenue call centre on 031-324-5000, or email or fax their query to revline@durban.gov.za or 031-324 5111.
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