Klerksdorp Record, Klerksdorp - Despite the Matlosana Municipality’s own admission about systemic failures in its billing system, several residents were surprised with the dreaded pink letter warning that their electricity will be cut if they fail to pay the outstanding amount.
For Gideon Joubert of Meiringspark that means he must cough up close to R130 000 to avoid a disconnection. Ironically, his account is not and has never been in arrears. “I have evidence of all my water readings, I use prepaid electricity and pay my account in full every month. This is unacceptable to me to be harassed like this. It is humiliating to say the least,’’ he told Klerksdorp Record.
Leoni Benghiat, a local freelance journalist, has included Klerksdorp Record in her email thread to the municipality where she declares a dispute after receiving a demand notice of R3 103,45. “The origin and calculation of this account is entirely unclear and unsupported by accurate billing data. As instructed by the municipality in December last year to pay the previous month’s amount pending the correction of the system, I complied, only to receive this demand notice. I am forced to declare a dispute,’’ she said.
Klerksdorp Record has tried to no avail to get answers from the Matlosana Municipality’s Finance Department this week.
The future of embattled CFO, Mercy Phetla’s seems to be leading the discourse this week with finance department employees downing tools after she returned from her leave despite a disciplinary hearing verdict recommending her dismissal.
Phetla who is also facing charges of corruption, fraud, and money laundering at the Klerksdorp Commercial Crimes Court, is due to face council on Thursday January 22 where a decision on her future at the municipality is expected.
In the meantime, residents feel they are left in the lurch and that the administration is failing them. “The continued issuing of demand notices under these circumstances constitutes maladministration and exposed the municipality to external oversight,’’ said Benghiat.
Joubert added that the whole problem makes him feel powerless. “The councillors of opposition parties also don’t seem to know what’s going on and acted indifferent when I contacted them for advice and even some moral support. To say I have been disillusioned is putting it mildly.’’
