Concerned ratepayer questions information

Madam – I refer to the letter, “Newcastle Ratepayers Association” in the Newcastle Advertiser dated December 6.

It took me 20 seconds to get the correct approved electricity rates for Newcastle from the NERSA webpage (www.nersa.org.za) and to confirm that the Municipality is charging the correct rates. As approved by NERSA.

Domestic High Conventional

Block 1 (0 to 50 kWh) = 70 c/kWh

Block 2 (51 – 350 kWh) = 83,94 c/kWh

Block 3 (351 – 600 kWh) = 90 c/kWh

Block 4 (> 600 kWh) = 95 c/kWh

Basic Charge = R 144,50

All excluding VAT.

Where the Ratepayers Association got the rates from, I don’t know. However, this time around, I agree with the rates on the Municipal account.

Inquisitive Concerned Ratepayer

Response from Newcastle Ratepayer’s Association:

Madam – It appears that Inquisitive Concerned Ratepayer did not study the contents of our letters. We stated clearly that NERSA approved the tariffs that were submitted to them. Unfortunately the tariffs in respect of block 3 and 4 were not in accordance with the approval of Council and the notice published in the Advertiser of 14 June 2013.That was the source of our information.

We wish to extend an invitation to Inquisitive Concerned Ratepayer to join the Newcastle Ratepayers’ Association and thereby become fully informed on matters like this.

Newcastle Ratepayers’ Association.