Inconsistent, irregular and incorrect meter readings are driving the owner of a house in Wolmarans Street up the wall.
In January this year, no meter readings for the electricity were done at the property, only readings for water. In February, the owner received a monthly account of R4 234. In March, only one of the three-phase meters was read. In April, none of the three meters was read, only the water. The owner even provided the Makhado Municipality with the correct meter readings, but they did not appear on the monthly account.
“I am not squabbling about the amount I have to pay, my complaint is that the municipality does not see to it that the readings are done correctly and promptly each month. Then I will not unexpectedly receive an account of R4234,” said Mr Henk Vermaak. Vermaak is a businessman and he said that he might have been able to pay such an unexpected account, but he was concerned for those who might be unable to do that. “How awful would it be to have to sell property to pay your unexpected electricity account?” Vermaak said.
The previous year, Vermaak had to pay exorbitant electricity accounts for the house in 46 Wolmarans Street, where the meter box literally fell apart. The municipality reacted by installing a new meter box. The meter readings, however, did not take place as envisaged.
For the month of April, Vermaak had to take the readings himself, work out the consumption and the account, and pay an amount in advance to avoid a mammoth account. All this is frustrating, time consuming and totally unnecessary.
When the problem was reported to the municipality, Vermaak was told that the hitch was with the accounts department and the contractor responsible for the meter reading.
“Why don’t the municipality regulate their contractor or pay the contractor only pro rata for readings done correctly?” he asked.
The problem was brought to the attention of the municipal spokesperson, Mr Louis Bobodi, who said that the matter would be investigated.