Tenants in the dark about outstanding rates
Tenants of Noordheuwel Heights were shocked to see Mogale City contractors wanting to switch off their electricity again, so they decided to stop them.
Residents and owners of units in a block of flats in Matroosberg Street, Noordheuwel, decided to take matters into their own hands after Mogale City Local Municipality officials had demanded more than R750 000 of the outstanding R900 000 from them.
The owners and tenants illegally reconnected their electricity after it had been cut off by the municipality last Thursday 11 June. The following Monday municipal contractors tried to disconnect the units’ power again but angry owners and tenants prevented them from doing so.
“We have electricity meters, we don’t owe anyone anything,” said Andrew Ncube, a Noordheuwel Heights resident.
However, according to the municipal statements the residents owe R623 010,43 for electricity and R309 893,83 for water.
“The managing agent of the Heights is at fault,” said Tjaart Steenkamp, DA councillor for Noordheuwel.
It soon became clear two different owners were making payments, or not, for Noordheuwel Heights.
Steenkamp advised the tenants to get a court order as soon as possible.
“Mogale City has the right to switch off the electricity if no payments have been made.”
“It is illegal to reconnect the power,” Steenkamp explained.
Shaun Dercksen, a tenant, said the children living at the Heights cannot be denied electricity.
The company contracted to disconnect the tenants’ power said the matter would be resolved today, 17 June.
