MAKHADO - It is almost scary when an electricity account does not tally anymore. Are the municipal computers playing tricks or is there a shocking disregard for the trust that an account will be correct?

Some municipal taxpayers in town realized last week that an electricity account cannot be blindly trusted to be in order. When adding up the different amounts on the monthly water and electricity account, some consumers found that the total amount due (at the bottom of the account) was more than the sum of the amounts reflected on the account. Not every consumer takes the time to scrutinize every account but takes it for granted that the total will be correct.

Enquiries brought to light that the invisible amount on the account could be a R75 reconnection fee for electricity that was never cut or reconnected. Apparently, the consumers paid by cheque. Although the payment was made in time, the cheques were not processed in time, resulting in an extra R75 on the account “automatically” being added by the computer. The amount, however, was only reflected in the total and not in the breakdown of the account.

When asked to comment, Mr Ruben Radzilani of the council’s finance department said that he was aware of the problem. He declined to comment, however, since he was not allowed to handle newspaper queries. Again, Council’s communication wheels came to a complete standstill, as the directors appointed to communicate with the media were out of town. No other official is allowed to speak to the media without the prior approval of Council.

Taxpayers not only had to pay an unnecessary amount but also had to spend time that could have been used productively to solve a problem caused by the municipality.

“Why not just empty the box with cheques in time? Why not make sure that accounts are correct?” are some of the questions raised by consumers.

Those with mathematical brains immediately started to do some calculations. What if thousands of account holders were charged an extra R75 not accounted for?

“We depend on the honesty and integrity of the municipality. They should not misuse the trust of the consumers to the latter’s disadvantage. Should it not be reported as a crime?" one local consumer asked.

In the meantime, consumers in town considered the question of whether electricity is cut with the same promptness in the surrounding areas as in town. On September 6, Mr Peter Magwala, the Makhado Municipality’s Director: Corporate Services confirmed that there is no mercy for late payers. The actual payment date is the end of the month. Then there is a grace period up to the seventh of the next month.

“If the seventh of the month falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, the grace period ends on the Friday,” Mr Magwala said.