Rectifying Lekwa municipal accounts has far-reaching implications

Residents have been paying for water based on estimates and not their actual consumption. Lekwa Municipality recently issued a statement to inform consumers about this issue.

According to the Lekwa communications department, it has been observed that some accounts have shown a significant increase in consumption, not based on actual meter readings, but on estimates.

Lekwa said they understood the confusion and concern and assured the community they have identified at the root cause of this issue.

The Standerton Advertiser contacted their communications manager, Lubabalo Majenge on April 10, asking him what the root cause of the problem was. At the time of our going to press, we received no feedback.

According to the department, they are committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in billing matters.

A thorough review of all affected accounts would have to be conducted and adjustments were supposed to be made no later than April 5.

Customers could send accurate readings to reading@lekwalm.gov.za and this was where the first problem began.
According to posts in a WhatsApp group, emails could not go through.

The municipality said residents should contact the municipal enquiries office on 017 712 9647 with any queries.

The statement concluded by saying they committed to delivering the highest standards of service and look forward to serving the community.

One account queried last month had shown a credit, with interest added and on the following month for being in arrears for 60 days.

A call on the landline to their accounts department does not always bear fruit. The switchboard operator will supply cellphone numbers that are not immediately answered.

Another thorn in the flesh for many is whether Lekwa is online. A beacon of light at the main municipal meeting is the friendly employee at the enquiries cubicle.

Several ratepayers queried their municipal accounts, which led to a recent meeting of councillors and the mayor, Delani Louis Thabethe, to address the problems.

Thabethe agreed to a meeting with the finance department to lend an ear to individual problems with accounts.

The community was requested to be at the municipal building at 08:00 to register their complaints. Lekwa’s Facebook page, however, indicated that they rectified the faulty accounts.

Locals were urged to bring their accounts and a photo of their meter readings. One resident was adamant that municipal workers should take the meter readings themselves, as high tariffs are paid for this service.

One local believed the municipality should scrutinise all accounts. In the feedback on the meeting, councillors Wilma Venter, Corné Stoltz and Alberto Franco thanked the residents who attended the meeting.

According to them, they handed in all accounts with a copy of the attendance register. The municipal manager, Malosi Lamola and CFO Vukosi Nkhata, were present when the issues were discussed, covering new and old problems.

Nkhata began working at the municipality on April 2. Various solutions were offered at the meeting, and according to the councillors, they agreed that a system needs to be put in place immediately for job cards, reference numbers and feedback when residents query an account.

They concluded by saying the MM and CFO agreed to immediately attend to the accounts handed in individually and provide them with feedback.

“The meeting was necessary since there are many faulty accounts which have not received attention in months,” Venter said.

“This is how we hold them accountable.”

Hillel Coetzer, a resident, has been battling for four years with his municipal account.

“The new appointments, however, look positive,” Coetzer said.

“One can only hope for a better outcome.”

Venter added residents are not motivated to settle repeated, faulty accounts which have a ripple effect on the finances of Lekwa.

It negatively affects the municipality’s projected income after accounts are rectified.