R78 768,50. That’s what Umzinyathi District Municipality says pensioner Pops Pomuser owes on his water bill. A visibly-stunned Mr Pomuser told the Courier he had no idea he owed such a whopping amount.
Strangely, the letter of demand, from a debt collecting company, is dated June 28, 2013, but the letter only arrived at Mr Pomuser’s Gray Street home last Tuesday.
“I don’t remember seeing anyone come to my home to read the meter since the passing of my wife in 2008. Really, I’ve got no clue what’s happening.
“We were hoping that since the Umzinyathi District Municipality took over water services from UThukela Water things would be better, but it seems we have gone from bad to worse,” said Mr Pomuser.
He said he has always expected to get six free kilolitres of water a month, as per government policy. Now he is not even sure he has been receiving that, and is in despair about ever being able to afford to pay this R78 000 bill.
The Courier understands that in Greytown residents are also starting to receive letters of demand for outstanding water accounts. However, accounts do become ‘prescribed’ after three years (meaning that they expire).
The Courier has been told that most township residents do not pay for water, and some do not even receive bills.
Mr Pomuser’s bill has been brought to the attention of Umzinyathi Communication Officer Nkanyiso Cebekhulu who promised to ‘relate the matter to the higher authorities’