SCHOOL BATTLES WITH ACCOUNTS

We have had endless problems with the City of Joburg terminating our electricity and water. There are several incorrect meter numbers linked to our account. We have been battling with this for a few years.

We have followed all the procedures. The city ombudsman closed the matter after he ruled that the meter was incorrectly linked and ordered that the matter be rectified. We were disconnected again earlier this month.

There was miscommunication between the department on the reconnection. This has now been resolved.

Thank you for all your hard work in protecting us from our indifferent and intolerant “big business” bullies.

You have made a positive impact on many people – please keep it up.

My request is for some information on your article on August 31 regarding the status of the objections to the Joburg rates debacle.

Just as an aside, if the municipality can only complete 9168 objections in the four months since the period closed, this means it will take a further 17 months to adjudicate the backlog, making it closer to February 2020. Hopefully they will pick up the pace a bit to clear the backlog by February next year.

My actual query, though. Do you know of any way we, as objectors, can determine where we are in the queue?

It would be useful to know whether we will have to wait the full term for an answer, or whether we can begin sharpening our appeal pencils next week.

Objections made by residents are currently being considered by the municipal valuer in terms of section 51 of the Municipal Property Rates Act 6 of 2004 as amended.

The city is working diligently to ensure that all objectors are speedily responded to, and property owners advised timeously.

Section 51(c) states that the municipal valuer must adjust the valuation roll in accordance with the decisions taken following the outcome of the objection.

The act obliges the municipal manager to ensure that after a property valuation has been reduced/ increased or maintained on objection/ appeal, a corresponding rates adjustment is effected to adjust the account accordingly.

This takes place within a reasonable time after notification of the outcome has been released.

In a case where the objection is finalised, or as soon as the municipal valuer’s decision is issued, since these notices are send in batches, the account will be adjusted and credited according to the outcome within a period of three months on the customers’ accounts. I have been logging a complaint with the City of Joburg for almost eight months about the street lamp on the corner of Nile Street and Earnest Road in Kensington.

This is a danger to all, especially children, who walk to school and home. Kensington has many public schools, so there are many young pedestrians.

I urge you to help me get City Power to fix this. The tape that you see was done seven years ago by City Power under the ANC administration. While it was a temporary solution, the response was within 24 hours.

Thank you – it has been repaired.