E-billing: complete your form now

POLOKWANE – In a few months residents who have a computer or smart phone will never again have to wonder how much they owe the municipality in rates bills.

The municipality took the decision to become a “smart city ” a year and a half ago, and is currently rolling out e-billing, hoping to reduce their printing and mailing bill by around 50% by sending municipal accounts by MMS or e-mail.

The trial period will last around three months, and feedback during this time will be used to eliminate teething problems.

During this time customers will concurrently receive a hard copy of their bills as well as an e-mail or MMS.

“We want to discontinue the bulk of our hard copies,” mayor Freddy Greaver said during a press conference last week. “It will also prevent late delivery of bills, as all statements will be sent and received timeously.”

Greaver said there had been a lot of problems since May 2013, as the billing system was not always accurate, accounts were sometimes not printed or distributed on time, residents then had to queue or struggle to get hold of someone telephonically to find out what they owed.

Residents are requested to fill out forms available at the municipality to request e-billing. The form will also be made available on the municipal website.

Greaver said next in line will be smart metering, but details would be made available at a later stage.