RATEPAYERS in Buffalo City Metro (BCM) say the mayor admitting to the water billing crisis was just a political move to keep or win over voters in the upcoming elections.
They said the crisis was not new – the whole of BCM is in crisis and now that it is nearing election time, confessions and empty promises are the order of the day.
The Daily Dispatch yesterday reported that BCM had admitted that residents could be paying far more or even less for their water and that they receive about 5000 water billing complaints each month.
During a press conference after Wednesday’s council meeting, mayor Zukiswa Ncitha admitted their meter reading system was ineffective and consumers in some areas were now being billed on a flat rate.
Ncitha said the reason was because readers sometimes struggled to access meters installed inside properties.
By the time of going to print the Dispatch could not establish how much the “flat rate” was and which areas would be billed in this manner as no response to questions had been received from BCM at the time of going to print.
Speaking to the Dispatch, Vincent Ratepayers’ Association chairman Xolani Tyobeka said the whole of BCM was in crisis.
“For years we have been trying to meet BCM halfway and assist them in solving this crisis. The problem is they don’t see us as concerned residents, instead as opposing politicians,” Tyobeka said.
According to a council report, R31-million will be required for the installation of meters on 16125 flat-rated properties, R14-million for plumbing and repairs, R18-million to move meters at 20000 private properties and R64-million to replace old meters.
Beacon Bay Ratepayers’ Association chairman Judy Sanan said the amounts allocated to address the billing problem made her angry.
“We have questioned the issue of residents being overcharged but nothing was done.”
Sanan said they received no answers from BCM and nothing was done about their concerns.
“Perhaps the money that is being overcharged is money for jam because clearly it hasn’t been spent to improve the water situation,” Sanan said.
Gonubie Ratepayers’ Association chairman André Swart said the crisis indicated the incapacity of the mayor as a political head, as well as of her council, to ensure their subordinates performed their functions.
“They should be reprimanded,” Swart said.
Bhisho Ratepayers’ Association spokesman, Monde Ciko said the metro was good at collecting money, but not nearly as good when it came to delivering services.
“Elections are coming up and they are trying to fool us – but we are not fools,” he said. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
Mayor raises ire of ratepayers
They said the crisis was not new – the whole of BCM is in crisis and now that it is nearing election time, confessions and empty promises are the order of the day.
The Daily Dispatch yesterday reported that BCM had admitted that residents could be paying far more or even less for their water and that they receive about 5000 water billing complaints each month.
During a press conference after Wednesday’s council meeting, mayor Zukiswa Ncitha admitted their meter reading system was ineffective and consumers in some areas were now being billed on a flat rate.
Ncitha said the reason was because readers sometimes struggled to access meters installed inside properties.
By the time of going to print the Dispatch could not establish how much the “flat rate” was and which areas would be billed in this manner as no response to questions had been received from BCM at the time of going to print.
Speaking to the Dispatch, Vincent Ratepayers’ Association chairman Xolani Tyobeka said the whole of BCM was in crisis.
“For years we have been trying to meet BCM halfway and assist them in solving this crisis. The problem is they don’t see us as concerned residents, instead as opposing politicians,” Tyobeka said.
According to a council report, R31-million will be required for the installation of meters on 16125 flat-rated properties, R14-million for plumbing and repairs, R18-million to move meters at 20000 private properties and R64-million to replace old meters.
Beacon Bay Ratepayers’ Association chairman Judy Sanan said the amounts allocated to address the billing problem made her angry.
“We have questioned the issue of residents being overcharged but nothing was done.”
Sanan said they received no answers from BCM and nothing was done about their concerns.
“Perhaps the money that is being overcharged is money for jam because clearly it hasn’t been spent to improve the water situation,” Sanan said.
Gonubie Ratepayers’ Association chairman André Swart said the crisis indicated the incapacity of the mayor as a political head, as well as of her council, to ensure their subordinates performed their functions.
“They should be reprimanded,” Swart said.
Bhisho Ratepayers’ Association spokesman, Monde Ciko said the metro was good at collecting money, but not nearly as good when it came to delivering services.
“Elections are coming up and they are trying to fool us – but we are not fools,” he said. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos