Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Maryke Davies and Sesotho by Cllr David Masoeu.
Since August 2016 when the former Naledi Local Municipality (NLM) was amalgamated with Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, residents of Dewetsdorp, Wepener and Van Stadensrus have been neglected and abused by the inability of the Metro to get things right.
In August 2017 a report was tabled and adopted by the Council stating that water usage up until August 2016 must be written off, 2017-year billing for water be reversed and only the water availability charged and water meters within the former NLM should be replaced to ensure that reliable and accurate billing.
It took the administration of Mangaung two years to partially implement the resolution of the Council. Water meters were replaced in parts of former NLM in April 2019 resulting in residents receiving accounts for water usage since as far back as 2012, when the last readings were taken. Two contractors were appointed resulting in water meters being replaced by Contractor 1 and then two weeks later being replaced once again by Contractor 2.
Mangaung Metro is now trying to capitalise on water usage already paid by residents to former NLM before the two municipalities were amalgamated. Additionally, it cannot prove the water usage up until April 2019, as according to their own report that served in Council, in instances where there were readings, they were deemed to be unreliable and where the last reading was for example performed 4 years ago if reading is now performed it will result in the water charges being grossly inflated and unaffordable to the residents.
Some examples of these double billings are:
- 20 May 2013 (start date) – 16 May 2018 (last reading) – 4238 units used = R58 145,58
- 27 June 2013 (start date) – 4 September 2019 (last reading) – 2983 units used = R43 556,09
- 2 March 2012 (start date) – 12 January 2017 (last reading) – 1689 units used = R17 695,42
- 20 April 2015 (start date) – 12 January 2017 (last reading) – 1215 units used = R15 473,60
- 18 October 2012 (start date) – 17 November 2016 (last reading) – 1891 units used = R21 634,94
- 7 March 2012 (start date) – 12 January 2017 (last reading) – 8107 units used = R89 332,47
- 20 March 2012 (start date) – 7 December 2016 (last reading) – 2091 units used = R22 069,89
- 23 June 2013 (start date) – 4 August 2019 (last reading) – 888 units used = R11 276,55
- 3 January 2012 (start date) – 25 April 2019 (last reading) – 626 units used = R8 830,78
- 24 April 2014 (start date) – 22 March 2017 (last reading) – 1058 units used = R12 441,70
The DA has been fighting tirelessly to get these double-billed accounts corrected. Since 2017 we lodged disputes and met face-to-face continuously with all MMM CFOs, GMs of the Revenue Division, all MMCs of Finance, twice with the Public Protector and sought legal advice on legal recourse against Mangaung Metro. The previous National Cabinet Representative even gave the assurance in March 2023 that an internal audit would be performed on these accounts, but to date, Mangaung Metro has done nothing, once again emphasising the entity does not have the will or ability to correct its mistake.
This should also make residents of Winnie Mandela Town (Brandfort) pause with caution on their amalgamation into Mangaung Metro. They will pay metro rates for no services, accounts will be double billed for services already paid and they will receive the same treatment as other small towns on the outskirts of Bloemfontein already amalgamated.
We have once again submitted a request to MMM for an internal audit and an onsite visit in Dewetsdorp, Wepener and Van Stadensrus to address these double-billing atrocities. We urge residents to register to vote for the DA in the upcoming National and Provincial elections to elect a government that cares and has a track record of good financial governance.