Noordgesig overdue billing crisis in limbo as City drags feet
"Residents are willing to cooperate and have the matter resolved however the delay of the wrong billing is hindering us."
Frustrated residents of Noordgesig have expressed immense disappointment and anguish at the continued mayhem over the wrong billing and addresses of services which have been ongoing for more than a decade.
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The community which recently held a meeting to discuss a way forward said they felt failed as the matter was a persistent major thorn to them.
Community representative and coordinator of the elected task team, Abdulatief Naude, said they had reached a boiling point as residents were shocked at the high billing statements.
“It’s been a long time trying to resolve the issue however they do not want to come to the party.
“There are people being billed and yet they don’t have meters in their yards. Every administration has merely swept the matter under the rug,” an upset Naude told Urban News.
Naude suggest that of the total of 1049 houses in the area, at least 90% of them are said to be owing water and electricity. He further states that some of the residents’ accounts are at an excess of half a million rands.
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“They need to create a database, street by street every house and consult the people if they wanted prepaid or conventional. At least that way they would have accurate and up to date data.
“This will make it possible for residents to qualify for the city’s free basic services,” he said.
Longtime resident, Sheryll Solomon whose accounts is in arrears of 200 000 said, “We are willing to pay as residents but what is happening is a pure rip-off.
How can they charge me 6000 every month? It’s absurd.
“Many areas that fall under the same ward have been scrapped many times, how come we have not been given the same option.”
Another resident, 63 year-old Jacqualine Appolis whose bill is currently at over R400 000 said she feared that she would lose her house which she shares with seven grandchildren.
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Appolis stated that she has resorted to using her pensioner grant to pay R500 monthly in hopes of not falling under the city’s evaluation.
“We have encouraged people not to do debt reconciliation because that is admission of debt and we can’t allow that.
“How will residents pay half of debt plus the current monthly bill as most people are either unemployed or pensioners?” Naude continued.
During a recent community meeting residents requested the ward Cllr, Brenda Dammie to write to the office of the MMC of Finance, Cllr Julie Suddaby requesting a meeting with them in seven days.
Dammie said she was aware of the matter and was in constant communication with the MMC to ensure that it was resolved.
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“The matter has been longstanding, over 30 years affecting the community of Noordgesig. Residents are willing to cooperate and have the matter resolved however the delay of the wrong billing is hindering us.
“We have been in communication with the MMC and she is aware and has committed to assisting the residents,” she said.
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