BCM must fix inaccurate billing
For years, scores of Buffalo City Metro residents have complained about their municipal accounts being incorrect. Other people have been slapped with unexplained exorbitant bills.
Household have received bills running into tens of thousands of rand in one month and BCM seems to be doing nothing to fix such recurrent problems.
Frustrated residents have been sent from pillar to post by metro officials as they try to sort out their bungled accounts.
We are told in most cases water consumption is estimated as meter readers had been suspended.
This has resulted in some residents being shocked after receiving huge municipal bills.
Municipal services such as water provision are basic human rights enshrined in our constitution, hence residents have the right to demand answers from authorities.
However, ratepayers are told to settle their inflated bills while waiting for investigations. This is an insult.
In a judgment handed down on February 13 2017, in the Ekurhuleni Metro v Argent case, it’s clear it’s not the duty of the consumer to read utility meters and determine their actual consumption.
Argent Industrial Investment had been paying bills based on estimates for five-and-a-half years.
In 2015, Argent received a bill for the difference between its actual usage and estimated consumption amounting to nearly R1.2m.
The company disputed the amount and sort legal recourse.
The court found in their favour and declared the consumer will not be considered to have acknowledged a debt when the municipality has failed to provide details.
If BCM continues to ignore ratepayers while milking them, residents will be left with no option but to turn to the courts for recourse.
We urge BCM to expedite efforts to solve billing problems.
Residents are reminded while the investigation is under way BCM cannot disconnect their electricity.
However, you are reminded to pay your account as usual, because the municipality is allowed to take action if you are in arrears. Nhlanhla Mosele, King William’s Town
Mpondo people deserve much better
Saturday marks the 60th commemoration of the Mpondo Revolt, now known as Ingquza Hill Massacre.
The massacre was the culmination of a series of resistances in the 1950s and 1960s by the Mpondo people against the implementation of the Bantu Authorities Act.
On June 6 1960 a large crowd of Mpondo people gathered at Ingquza Hill near Flagstaff to discuss their grievances against the apartheid government.
The apartheid security officers got wind of the peaceful meeting and decided to break it up by firing at the people.
The shooting resulted in the death of several people, while others were injured.
As we commemorate the massacre today we should ask ourselves if there has been any material change for the Mpondo people and their area since that eventful day. My assessment is that despite the heroic sacrifices by those who died protecting their land and their rights against the apartheid system, there is insignificant development in Mpondoland. I dare ask if there is a deliberate agenda to keep Mpondoland underdeveloped. Why don’t we have a university branch in Eastern Mpondoland [Lusikisiki, Flagstaff and Mbizana]? The Mfundisweni and Sigcau teachers’ training colleges were closed for various reasons.
I urge the authorities to give the revolt similar status and coverage to other resistances such as the Sharpeville massacre. It must feature in history books from as early as Grade 6. National TV and stations should profile the event, lest it sinks into oblivion. Gerald Monwabisi Dinwayo, Lusikisiki