NELSPRUIT – Sembcorp Silulumanzi, which has apparently been dragging its feet in sorting out recent water problems at the new Kiaat Ridge development, has finally worked out a solution with the property owners.
According to Mr Greg Duffey who still lives on a piece of the property he has sold to the developers, he has not had water for two weeks. Duffey also operates a motor-vehicle spares shop and an antiques store from the property. Until two weeks ago, he has been getting his water from a communal point supplying the property.
However, since November 7, the water has been shut down. The meter has also been removed and in its place is a yellow sign, put up by Silulumanzi, that reads, “Water supply to this premises is being restricted”.
Mr Richmond Jele, spokesman for Sembcorp Silulumanzi, confirmed the water supply was disconnected due to non-payment of accounts. “The last payment for this account was received on October 12, 2012. The current outstanding balance is now at R176,789,” he said.
Mr Mathys Ellis, one of the developers, explained that they have had issues with their water bill since the beginning of the year. According to Ellis, they received water bills in the vicinity of R20 000 per month. These they paid until the last occupants in houses on another property they acquired for the 93-hectare development moved out and the amounts remained the same as before. An inspection by his plumber revealed that the water meter was broken.
Jele confirmed that the amounts have been estimated for 11 months. He said that no readings were taken between July 22, 2012 and July 21 this year due to a dirty dial.
Mr Cobus Dyssel, the project manager of the Kiaat Ridge development, said Silulumanzi undertook to install a new meter earlier this year, which they would then use to determine an accurate reading and credit Kiaat Ridge for possible overpayment. Ellis claims he was instructed not to pay the bill until the matter has been sorted out.
However, according to Jele, “In June, the meter was cleaned and in a working condition. Four proper readings has since been taken and our billing system has made a credit note adjustment for water estimate. The billing department is to confirm the final amounts due.”
Yet, Ellis and Dyssel claim that nothing more has been communicated to them on the matter. Then, two weeks ago, the meter was removed. Jele confirmed that the water supply has been cut with the meter removed and no new meter was installed leaving Duffey, the Kiaat Ridge sales office and the caretaker living in a house on the site without a water supply.
To service the large new development, a new line with a bulk meter has been installed and they made an application for two new connections from this line. Silulumanzi said their installation was held back due to the non-payment of the current account. However, on Thursday morning the Kiaat Ridge developers and the water company came to an agreement to ensure Duffey’s water supply was restored. A new meter is to be installed today (Friday) on the new line to supply Duffey with water.
Dyssel said the developers were to pay for the connection. In addition, the removed meter from the old line was also to be replaced on Friday. In the meantime, the amount due, which is under dispute, is being investigated.
