A ‘waterless toilet’ issue leaves pensioner desperate
The pensioner has spent three weeks without a drop from her taps.
A PENSIONER cannot flush her own toilet due to an ongoing meter battle where the metro claims she is thousands in areas.
Ellen Hulley (73), a South Hills resident is left baffled at the shocking inflated water bills she has been receiving.
The pensioner has spent three weeks since July 26 without a drop from her taps.
Her daughter, Elaine Coetzer, has been up and down in an attempt to rectify a situation she says remains unconstitutional.
Coetzer, originally from Pretoria, had to leave her own home, children and husband in an attempt to rectify the situation as she fears her diabetic mother’s health may suffer dramatically if she does not intervene.
They both said the inflated bills began in 2011, which did not make sense because Hulley, a widower, has been living alone for about 17 years.
“A pensioner who lives alone cannot run a water bill of R28 000,” said Coetzer.
The duo said they had tried to make monthly payments but their water was cut monthly for unexplained reasons.
The furious daughter said her mother did not even have a garden and had even – for as far as she can remember – placed buckets outside with which she used to collect rainwater. The rainwater would be used for laundry at times in order to save water.
The two, who seemed left with question marks, said they were told to pay the account or sell their house for payment.
“Water remains a life necessity,” said Coetzer.
She took the COURIER on a waterless tap tour proving the dry spell.
She questioned what would happen when this matter was proven to be a mistake. “Is the city going to pay us back our money which is being paid to them monthly?”
She said the last payment to them was on the 17 of July. “Despite payments, the water is still cut off. Where are they getting the amounts from?” she queried. “My mother was supposed to have a rebate on most expenses as she was a senior citizen/pensioner.”
Coetzer said she just wanted the situation sorted as it was putting a strain on her marriage. She added that it was through the help of a neighbour and grandchildren who brought some water that her mother got by.
Pointing to a five-litre water dispenser she said it was tough, as her mother had to use the water sparingly to shower, cook and flush the toilet.
An enquiry was sent to the city who were still to provide feedback on the matter.
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