Metro addresses Heuweloord utility bills and other queries
“I have further engaged the MMC of utilities on the matter and demanded that the electrical department deploy their technical to be on site from today to resolve the meters that have not been registered on the system."
Tshwane metro conducted an outreach in Heuweloord, Centurion, from Wednesday to Saturday to assist members of the community on a service delivery outreach programme.
According to Lindela Mashigo, metro spokesperson, metro officials are present from 08:30 to 15:00 at the community centre to especially assist with utility bills.
“The programme forms part of the City of Tshwane’s commitment to fast-track service delivery by tackling residents’ concerns in respect of challenges or queries on municipal accounts.
“These include meter readings and invoicing, property rates, credit control and assistance with payment arrangements, billing enquiries, registration of customers for indigent subsidy benefits communication, marketing and events.”
He said customers with outstanding debt or accounts in arrears will be required to pay a minimum amount (deposit) recommended by the city to qualify for a monthly repayment arrangement.
“The deposit can be paid by swiping or tapping your bank card or Sassa card at the speed point available on-site. No cash will be accepted. After paying the deposit, the period of the monthly repayment arrangement will be processed as agreed upon with the city.”
According to residents the major problem is that the city installed new meters in Heuweloord, and prepaid meters would have followed, which never did.
Residents, however, received bills, backdated to March on the new 15% tariffs, which amounted to “triple the amount of our usual bills,” said a resident, Pieter Coetzee.
“We were not informed about the installation of new meters in the first place, our bills were estimated, and we’ve been sent from pillar to post,” Coetzee said.
Local DA ward councillor, Kingsley Wakelin, said that is why he approached the metro to take up the matter of ongoing billing queries in Heuweloord.
“The problem is that there are old electricity meters in Heuweloord, as well as prepaid meters, but that the dual meters could not be registered, therefore bills had to be estimated.
“The ongoing estimation and meter replacements that was not captured and limited access to the tamper proof boxes, lead to frustrations of residents that are unable to resolve their account issues.”
He said he managed to assist in a number of account queries that has been resolved.
“I have further engaged the MMC of utilities on the matter and demanded that the electrical department deploy their technical team to be on site from today to resolve the meters that have not been registered on the system. The metering system is the responsibility of the electrical and not revenue or finance.”
He said the technical team will resolve the meters and the registration of the outstanding meters.
“Furthermore, the department will also deploy a team to install prepaid meters and this will form part of the long-term solution.”
He said records of residents which came to the centre with metering issues will be attended to tomorrow by the elected department.
“We also went further and arranged that if any person wishes to apply for pensioner’s rebate or apply for indigent relief, they are also welcome to come to the centre to speak to staff members about that.”
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Wakelin said where queries cannot be resolved immediately, the dedicated officials will establish contact and finalise the query.
“Metering teams have again started today (24 August) with meter reading for this cycle. We are still tracking the completion of the prepaid replacement programme. We will have updated information on this closer to the end of the month.”
Wakelin said he plans that everyone in Heuweloord will eventually have a prepaid meter to enable residents to manage their electricity bills themselves.
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