Resident’s ongoing frustration with high utility bills
Frustrated residents continue to voice their concerns about their abnormally high utility bills.
Frustrated residents continue to voice their concerns about their abnormally high utility bills. Several residents have shared on social media platforms the various amounts they had received on their monthly utility statements.
These have continued to rise, even after the increase of 6 per cent.
A 42-year-old woman from Tus- cany Ridge says her amount has kept on increasing even after the increase of 1 July. For August, her amount increased to R7,396.27 from an amount of R4,950.12 for July. “I could not believe my eyes. How do you budget for an account of that amount?” she said.
She says she has made several enquiries, but there has been no response and she hasn’t had help with her statement. Luckily, her amount decreased to R4,262.79 for September.
Despite the decrease, the resident says she would like to know why her account had kept on increasing. The Herald previously published the amounts on her statement, which started increasing from May.
William Maphosa, the municipal spokesperson, says the abnormally high bills could be due to the tariff increase of six per cent in the new financial year. It could also be that readings were not taken in March and April because of the national lockdown.
“Readings for the two months were estimated, based on the previous 12-month account history. Even so, the figure billed should not be more than the average of previous months,” he said.
According to Maphosa, the journal backlog has been cleared. He advises residents who may still be experiencing problems or have queries to go to their customer care offices at the revenue section or finance directorate. “Clients can use their phones to take pictures of their current meter readings and bring them along if they want to discuss their queries,” he said.
Residents can also contact the following officials:
•Mpho Djedje: phod@jbmarks.gov.za; 018 299 5188
•Hildah Sibi: hildahs@jbmarks.gov.za; 018 299 5189
•Katlego Mojanaga: bdoadvisory@jbmarks.gov.za; 018 299 5137
•Macgyver Chacha: macgyver@jbmarks.gov.za; 018 299 5565
•Finanky Leches: finankyl@jbmarks.gov.za; 018 299 5222
•Kgomotso Mothebe: kmothebe@jbmarks.gov.za; 018 299 5179
Maphosa appeals to account holders to update their contact details with the contacts above.
