Phone and phone and phone, without result

Oh, Mr Frank du Toit, I know exactly how you feel. I’m just as frustrated with not only Ilembe but KDM too! (Pay back the money Ilembe, Courier, October 16).

To be able to get a clearance certificate for the sale of a home to go through, the owner has to pay rates and water until the end of the municipal financial year, which is June of every year. The sale of my home went through in March this year. As I was out of the country until the end of May, I applied for my three month rates and water (plus deposit) refund at the beginning of June by applying and filling in forms in person at both municipalities.

And so the wait began; and the phone calls; and the emails; and numerous visits to both municipalities talking to both minions and those in charge. Loads of wasted time and expense after each unsuccessful visit. And such absurd stories as to why there is a delay.

In the four and a half months that have passed (a much shorter wait than you have had, Mr du Toit) KDM has closed my account after paying back one month of rates instead of the three owing to me and have told me that the balance of my money was with the conveyancers. The conveyancers deny this and counter that KDM has it. Is this the modern version of Pass the Parcel?

To date Ilembe, although promising to get back to me, has not. Why am I not surprised! Today I called Ilembe again to find out the progress or lack thereof. The phone is immediately answered by a machine; then the wait for someone to answer goes on ad infinitum and then …. nothing. I redial. Same procedure. I dial again. Same result. I give up. More expense incurred without a result.

My money the municipalities are withholding runs into a few thousand rands. I’m an O.A.P. without a pension. I would very much like my refund, plus interest!

I wonder if we, who are being dangled at the end of a rope and/or short changed, should go to small claims court?

BRIONY WHITEHEAD

Palm Lakes