Frustration is running high in Azaadville after dozens of households had their electricity disconnected on August 1, even though residents say they have been paying their accounts and disputing portions of their bills with Mogale City Local Municipality.

According to the municipality’s own policy, credit control measures should not be applied to amounts under dispute.

Mohammed Laher, chairperson of the Azaadville Ratepayers Association (ARPA), said the disconnections began days before the weekend.

“Consumers may lodge appeals and disputes on the accounts at the Consumer Services Section and Municipal Call Centre. Until the dispute is attended to by the municipality, no credit control measures are to be taken for the disputed amount, but the current account must be paid in full. Other levies on the account, which do not form part of such an appeal/dispute, are, however, still payable and are not included in the extension for payment,” reads the policy on the municipality’s website.

ARPA has been questioning whether the council was transparent in its submission to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to implement Inclined Block Tariffs. Nersa has approved a 12.74% increase for the 2024/ 25 financial year, which ARPA agrees with.

“Our dispute revolves around whether or not the council was truthful in their submission to Nersa to implement Inclined Block Tariffs. We have been requesting vital information from Mogale City since August 2024 regarding this, and as yet, they have failed to provide a shred of evidence. Residents are paying a disputed amount for electricity only on time and submitting dispute forms monthly since August last year,” Laher explained.

Despite residents paying everything except the disputed amount, they were still disconnected. Laher said this violates Mogale City’s own policy. Residents were given a final demand to pay their accounts or contact the finance department within seven days. ARPA representatives tried to meet with the department and submitted hundreds of dispute forms on behalf of residents, but the disconnections went ahead.

Speaking to the Krugersdorp News, over a dozen residents – who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation – shared their frustration. One resident said the timing, just before the weekend, left them unable to cook or keep warm. Several reported electricity bills exceeding R20 000, far beyond what they can afford.

The Krugersdorp News reached out to the municipality for comment on the disconnections, but had not received a response by the deadline. Any feedback will be published once available.