Many casualties in rates conflict

Rates increases are taking the food from people’s mouths.

This is the sentiment from one of the most outspoken residents, Shenaaz Kader, who believes her fellow Newcastillians are being stripped of their dignity.

Similar comments have turned social media into a ‘war zone’.

Mrs Kader explained her crusade began in a queue at the Municipality, when a pensioner desperately attempted to have her bill revised.

Her account was one of many increased by a large percentage.

“The staff didn’t care and were more worried about themselves – this woman was crying and had been stripped of her dignity. I can bite the bullet, but can others?”

Mrs Kader said the matter of rates increases played a bigger role than first thought, possibly affecting school fee payments, marriages and putting food on the table.

She added Eskom should be given licence over the town’s power.

“The Municipality should generate its own funds, instead of giving us hogwash about load shedding. Our people are prepared to live with that inconvenience.”

Director of Revenue, Valuations and Debt Management, Asha Haripersad was tasked to respond to questions posed by the Newcastle Advertiser.

She said the public needed to approach Enquiries or Meter Management with any concerns.

If dissatisfied with the response, Mrs Haripersad added, they could take the matter to the Assistant Manager or Manager of Revenue, and lastly to herself.

“Should the consumer still not be satisfied with the response, the matter can then be escalated to the Chief Financial Officer and Municipal Manager.”

After last week’s article, a resident came forward, stating she had confirmed her rates bill telephonically, after which Municipal staff came out to take the meter reading.

Mrs Haripersad was asked how this could be.

“The reading period for the new month commences two days after the monthly billing has been done, and continues for around two weeks. Thereafter, various verification processes are conducted prior to the final billing being done.”

Therefore, she responded, the scenario mentioned could not take place.

If a reading was not taken, the account would be averaged, she continued, with the new calculation reflecting a 12-month average for a ‘more accurate estimate’.

“This will address the problems experienced during the winter months, in respect of under-estimation.”

Mrs Haripersad’s response led to additional queries, as to under what circumstances a reading would not be taken, and if the Municipality had truly ruled out average readings as promised.

She replied to say average readings were only taken in extraordinary situations.

These included staff shortages resulting in delayed readings, occurring when employees were on extended sick leave or unplanned away time, meter readers being unable to access a complex, and unfavourable weather over a period of more than three days.

“Average readings are not the norm. During the August/September reading period, with September accounts payable by October 7, no routes were averaged.”

In the wake of a sustained onslaught from the community, Mayor, Afzul Rehman has welcomed residents to contest the 2016 elections, when his term of office comes to an end.

He said then, “They can get a shot at running the city.”

Stating he had committed himself to intervening in the reading cycle, Cllr Rehman spoke of finding a ‘more efficient, effective and transparent way for meters to be read’.

Prepaid meters, he added, gave users direct control over usage.

“The comments on social media are becoming downright rude, touching on the illegal, where insinuations and character assassinations are the order of the day.”

Cllr Rehman stated his administration had always provided a listening ear, and had tried in every way possible to lessen the burden on the ratepayer.

“I’m not unconscious to the fact there may be people out there who can do my job better than I can, and while I worked hard to get where I am, I’m sure others can get here too.”

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