Finally, a happy ending for pensioner

COUNCILLOR BONGANI NKWANYANA WRITES:

A 92-year-old woman, Suzanne van der Walt, from Fairview/ Jeppestown, who had been without electricity and water for eight months cried tears of joy recently.

Her basic needs were finally met earlier this month with my support as her proportional representation ward councillor.

I received an e-mail on Thursday, July 27, which detailed the horrendous living conditions of the elderly woman.

She had been living without water or electricity for eight months.

She had been billed incorrectly and her granddaughter had done everything possible to try to help her grandmother, but without success.

I then went to visit the family to see how best I could assist them. I immediately communicated her case to the relevant officials.

The issue was then escalated to the office of the member of the mayoral committee for finance and the matter was resolved in a day, with the assistance of Refilwe Mathebula.

The mayor of Joburg has committed himself to ending the billing difficulties.

He has pledged to communicate regularly with residents on progress made on the issue, and has apologised for the manner in which many residents have suffered.