Final notice charged after payment of account

A frustrated Glen Marais resident, Nigel Hipwood, could not understand why he had been charged R108.69 by the municipality for a final notice even though he had paid his account on the due date.

Metro spokesman Themba Gadebe said when utilising any third party payment system or bank transfers, the important notice 7.1 on the reverse side of the consumer’s statement must be observed which stipulates that such payments be done at least seven days prior to the statement due date.

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“This will ensure timeous allocation as the payment will not reflect immediately with council in its bank account,” explained Gadebe.

Hipwood’s due date for payment was on September 23 and according to him, his account was paid via bank deposit directly into the municipality’s Absa account on the same day.

Gadebe further pointed out that payment into the municipal account would only be deemed received once receipted through the financial system.

“The issuing of the final notice to a property and connected credit control processes are automated and the system will include any account reflecting as an arrears after the due date and on date of generating the notices,” he said.

“Council’s records indicate that the consumer’s payment was receipted on September 28 whereas a final notice was already issued on September 25.”