Ratepayers accuse KSD of ambush

ANGRY Mthatha ratepayers say they have been “ambushed” by cashstrapped KSD local municipality, which has been accused of preventing 3 600 residents from purchasing electricity.

DA councillor Raymond Knock, who serves on the municipality’s finance committee, said a resolution was taken by council to initiate a “blockage system” on all accounts that were in arrears. He said this was meant to enforce debt repayment and KSD was owed R300-million by its residents.

KSD denies blocking accounts, with acting municipal spokesman Zibele Limani yesterday blaming a “glitch” in the system.

Some ratepayers said their accounts were suspended even though they had made arrangements with KSD to chip away at their debt. In the background is: ● An apparent R300-million owed to KSD by defaulting ratepayers; and

● An unresolved complaint from 3 600 ratepayers over the municipal valuation roll, which almost doubled some property valuations.

Ratepayers yesterday threatened to stop paying their bills if KSD did not get its house in order.

On Friday, residents said they were unable to purchase electricity at the municipal offices or shopping outlets.

Limani said the accounts became unusable during a routine updating of the network. He confirmed that all the affected ratepayers were in arrears.

O R Tambo business chamber president Vuyisile Ntlabati warned that a rates boycott would benefit neither party. —