This matter has been going around in circles for years now without anyone in authority able to make a decision on this long-standing water loss issue.
Izak van den Berg (sic) did not even bother to reply to this query as yet, typical of some politicians who only know voters during election time.
Please take cognisance of the following, regarding a burst water pipe that led to very high water bills:
*Ekurhuleni Municipality already granted a special credit adjustment, initial dispensation amount of R24 697.55, to partly compensate for the high water loss deduction of R40 305.75 in order to finalise this issue.
*Thereafter, Ekurhuleni Municipality reneged on their initial dispensation granted, with debit adjustment reversals totalling R12 449.29 again, from the initial credit dispensation amount (R24 697.55) granted, done without any reason.
*The subsequent lack of action from the municipality’s side to repair the leak at the time and continued long delay afterwards to resolve it.
Your assistance in the unfair reversal totaling R12 449.29 will be appreciated. I have already submitted the following to the EMM:
*Proof of burst pavement pipe, leak fixed/rectified (substantiated by a plumber’s invoice)
*Reduction in consumption down to normal thereafter as per invoices.
Please note, at this stage, this continued maladministration does not warrant an escalation to mayoral level; however, I am left in serious doubt given the distinct lack of professionalism and extreme duration taken to come to some type of conclusion over the last two to three years. I am a pensioner with a 100 per cent disability rating with high monthly medical expenses.
Angry resident
Comments:
Councillor Berg replied by saying that the complainant firstly sent his email to the wrong address, and IRASA’s (Independant Ratepayers Assosication of South Africa) email address was only used during the election.
“I get between 60 and 300 complaints to deal with on a daily basis and unfortunately some do slip through the cracks. That’s the life of a politician, I guess,” Berg said.
EMM spokesperson, Themba Gadebe had this to say:
“Please note that Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Water Tariff Policy does give relief to situations but limited to terms and conditions specified by the said policy.
“Clause 3.8 of Water and Tariff Policy states that: Private Internal Water Leaks (Tariff Code WA0006) – In case of exceptionally high meter readings of water consumption, due to leaks from a private internal pipeline, the Director Income: Finance Department or his nominee, may determine that the excess consumption be levied at R9.49 per kilolitre for a maximum period of 91 days; the commencement date of such period to be determined in the entire discretion of the said director. A reduction in consumption is required as well as proof of the leak being rectified as substantiated by a plumber’s invoice or affidavit from the consumer which must be submitted to the municipality within 90 days after repair of the leak.
“Please note that an adjustment in respect of Private Internal Water Leak was effected and finalised on this account on April 23, 2015.”
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