Couple left frustrated by CoE’s refusal to refund them

The couple was told if there was a problem with the meter, it would be refunded; if CoE didn’t find any fault with it, money would not be refunded.

April 23, 2021

Siphokazi Zama 2 minutes read

Copy of the receipt the couple got when they paid the municipality to have someone come out and check if their meter was faulty.

A Pollak Park couple is at their wits’ end as to how to get their money back from the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE).
The couple’s problem started when CoE changed the couple’s prepaid meter over a year ago.
Their electricity costs per month increased dramatically from under R1 000 a month to R3 000 monthly.
“This a 421m² house with five people in it, two toddlers, a teenager and my husband and I.
“Nothing about our lifestyle changed after the new meter was installed but the costs tripled.
“Our neighbours, whose meters were changed at the same time, were paying nowhere near the amount we’re paying for electricity.
“We went to the CoE to complain and eventually they moved us to a lower tariff, but our electricity costs were still above R2 000.
“We were eventually advised by the CoE to get our prepaid meter tested, and we paid R720 to the CoE on November 3,” said the couple.

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The couple was told if there was a problem with the meter, it would be refunded; if CoE didn’t find any fault with it, money would not be refunded.
After paying for the test, the couple was initially told by CoE there would be a slight delay in testing as there was a tender issue with the company contracted to do the tests.
The couple waited from January to March for somebody to come to do the tests, without success.
In the meantime, the family has been struggling to keep up with the electricity costs.
“I no longer do the ironing in my house, nor do I bake.
“We have had to find alternative accommodation because we can’t live there anymore because of the electricity costs,” said the couple.

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Since nothing has been done, the couple went to the CoE to get the refund and after waiting for three hours, was told CoE cannot refund them as they are not the ones who received the money.
“I paid the CoE and got a receipt from them.
“If they cannot help me with the crisis, then who can?
“This is not the service we deserve.
“We are disgruntled and dissatisfied,” said the couple.
The couple said at this point, they either want the CoE to refund their money or come and test their meter as they worry the next occupants of the house will have the same problem.
Comment from the CoE will be published once it has been received.