City targets businesses in debt, removes water and electricity meters
In one of the businesses on Liverpool Road, where they had a disconnected water meter, the company is reportedly owing the City R3.7 million.
Several businesses in Benoni were in for a surprise recently when the City of Ekurhuleni MMC for Finance, Jongizizwe Dlabathi, along with officials from the water and sanitation and energy departments, visited their premises as part of the city’s Credit Control Outreach operation.
Targeting businesses that have fallen behind on their payments, the operation kick-started in Lake Avenue, where they inspected two businesses before proceeding to Liverpool Road and other areas in Benoni.
Meter numbers were verified and account statements were checked to ensure the accuracy of consumption records and to identify illegal connections.
The operation resulted in the removal of four water meters and the disconnection of three power supplies, aiming to improve the city’s financial health.
One of the businesses on Liverpool Road, had a disconnected water meter, reportedly owing the city R3.7m.
Dlabathi highlighted that before taking decisive steps, companies are issued notices and encouraged to come forward and make necessary payment arrangements.
“We noticed that in some of these properties, there is a huge difference between the amount of electricity they are using and the amount we are billing on the account statement. It is quite clear that, as the city, we are not recouping the actual amount we’re supposed to get.
“We will notify the energy department to test and fix the meters. Another concern we noted is water loss, it appears that clean water is going to waste.
“We are not only switching off electricity and water meters, but we are also addressing the challenges on the ground that need our attention,” said Dlabathi.
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