Sunninghill homeowner’s water debt is part of larger crisis for JW
JW is not backing down on those who owe them money. This time they were in Sunninghill, Glenvista, and Buccleuch.
Sunninghill is a usually quiet and affluent suburb in Johannesburg, however, drama unfolded on March 10 as Johannesburg Water’s (JW) disconnection teams attempted to cut off the water supply to a property owner who owed a staggering amount on their account, and were met with resistance.
The property owner, who lives in a gated community, refused to grant JW access to the estate, prompting the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) to intervene. Eventually, JW gained entry and carried out the disconnection.
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Sunninghill was not the only area affected. A total of 15 customers in various suburbs, including Glenvista and Buccleuch, were disconnected on the same day for non-payment of their water accounts. Collectively, they owe over R2.7m.
According to Siphindile Ngange, JW’s senior manager under metering and revenue. “This is part of our efforts towards revenue collection, which is crucial for the maintenance and upgrading of the City of Johannesburg’s water and sewerage infrastructure.”
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Some of the customers owe significant amounts, with one property owner in debt to the tune of over R333 000, while two others owe over R100 000 each.
To have their water supply restored, JW said the customers will need to either pay their accounts in full, or make payment arrangements with the city’s Credit Management Department.
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