City billings remain a challenge to Bedfordview residents

Bedfordview residents continue to face ongoing challenges with meter readings and interim billings.

This comes after residents have reported that they continue to experience challenges with their meter readings not reflecting on their accounts despite submitting them via the MyCoEApp and Siyakhokha WhatsApp Chat.

As a result, residents are being billed ridiculous amounts and face disconnections.

“The sad process of submitting but not capturing or accurately billed utility readings continues to be a thorn in the side of both revenue collection and frustrated consumers.

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“Interim readings, levied with increases, are shocking and filling consumers and officials with despair,” said Ward 20 Clr Jill Humphreys.

She said consumers diligently send in readings, as instructed, on the respective platforms which may or may not be functioning on the day.

These readings, may or may not be acceptable. “If readings do not pass the defined criteria for correctness and are deemed inaccurate, they are then placed in a staging area, where they will be analysed and released once confirmed to be accurate.”

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Humphreys questioned how these stages are determined stating that the above translates into repeat interims on consumer statements.

“One can understand and forgive teething problems with a new process. This has been going on for three years and has become worse, not better,” she said.

“As the DA we support new and innovative technology; it is necessary and is the way of the future.

“What we fail to understand or support is a process that is not properly tested before it is unleashed on an unprepared and already financially constrained, rate-paying public,” added Humphreys.

According to Humphreys recent statistics obtained through Questions to Council indicate that a total of 27 894 interim readings were levied for June 2024.

Of these, 7 818 were allocated to Germiston CCC of which Bedfordview forms a part.

“As a result of this ongoing debacle, I arranged for a finance open day in Bedfordview on November 1.

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“Grateful residents attended enthusiastically and were assisted by willing officials, on the spot. I am hoping to make this facility available regularly.

“It should also be noted that in Ekurhuleni we have 760 848 total ratepayers while we have 4.1 million residents,” said Humphreys.

The City of Ekurhuleni had not provided comment by the time of print.