The News and the Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) have received multiple queries from concerned residents about seemingly high amounts on their electricity and/ or water accounts.

To these ends, communications representative for the MCLM, Refilwe Mabena noted in a statement that, “Due to national lockdown regulations, no meter readings were done in compliance to the Covid-19 protocols. Readings for the months of April and May were therefore estimated based on each household’s consumption in the previous three months, i.e. January, February and March 2020.

As a result, some households were undercharged in April and May, as these readings were based on previous summer months’ estimation when consumption is lower, whilst usage increased during winter lockdown as members of many households were not at work.”

Refilwe added that meter readers were only able to take readings again when the country went into Level 3 lockdown. This led to an escalation in the June municipal bill amounts.

Residents in need of more information on the matter can visit the Revenue Services offices or send an email to customerservices@mogalecity.gov.za.