Meters read and charged twice

BELOW is the e-mail I have sent to NMBM Customer Care. I wonder how many other consumers have experienced this? I am awaiting the response with interest:

I would be most grateful if you could please sort out the problem set out below.

1. I read my meters, as usual for the past year, on April 29. The readings were 1197 for water (6kl) and 35663 for electricity (629kw). I submitted these readings on April 29 via the cellphone NMBM IVR app and also on the NMBM website.

2. On May 8, a meter reader called at our home and left a note advising that “nobody was in attendance”. On finding the note in our post box, I immediately phoned Lelethu Meter Management on the number provided – (041) 582- 2362 – and spoke to a very helpful person who requested that I give her the readings from April 29 – which I did – as set out above. She advised these would be submitted.

3. On Saturday May 12, four days later, a meter reader again called at the gate, and once again I explained the position and showed him my list of readings which I submit monthly and said that I had already submitted them and given them to Lelethu Meter Management. He asked me to once again give him the readings for April 29, which I did.

I have now checked the balance due using the NMBM app on my cell phone and find the balance for my water and electricity account – usually +/- R1 400 per month – is R3 418.20, due before June 13.

Could you please contact Lelethu Meter Management and also amend your records to rectify this, as it clearly appears the readings have been recorded twice. I look forward to your urgent response with the correct amount, which will be paid before due date, as usual. Many thanks.

Confused consumer, Port Elizabeth