Metro departments so unforthcoming

“TRYING to get in touch for help” writes MZ Vayej (The Mercury, October 6), regarding the lack of response from city departments. While financial controls are highly suspect, avoiding investigating problems seems to be the norm. The worrying thing is that no one will pick up a problem and sort it out.

In January this year, we closed our account with the metro and requested a refund of the deposit. The final readings were taken (quite accurately) and we moved to new business premises where the services are covered in the rental. We received a final account with a sewage disposal charge of more than R11 000 for only 28 days.

The error arises from a fixed

sewage charge of R402.73 per day instead of R4.02 per day.

This rate should be computer-controlled.

It must have been manually inserted, which is worrying. Since February, we have not had the courtesy of an explanation or, in fact, any reply from officials at metro billing.

Discounting many calls to lower level staff, a certain more senior Thabani Mgenge has not returned several phone calls and not answered e-mails. He has all the facts before him.

Thereafter, I have phoned Peet du Plessis (head of revenue management) several times a day, leaving messages with his assistant Silindile Majozi, as well as sending her copies of the offending documentation. In addition, I have phoned Du Plessis up to three times a day on his mobile number and never had him return a single message.

These employees would be looking for other work if they were in the private sector, but the problem remains: Is there anyone out there with the slightest interest in doing their jobs?

We will get our money back, and with interest. An apology is what should be forthcoming. CHRIS ELSTON

Durban