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on March and April bills that saw residents being charged more than twice their average annual bills in a month.
In an interview yesterday Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Thaba Moyo said the bills were generated through council’s flawed billing system. Hundreds of residents who had water cut off over the fiasco went to complain at the Revenue Hall and got re-connected without paying anything.
Residents whose bills used to average $10 every month were shocked to receive bills of up to $300. Angry residents, in recent weeks, besieged the Revenue Hall demanding an explanation for the “shocking bills” that they received during the two months.
Although most of them were sent away after being told the figures were accurate, council finally bowed to pressure and has been reconnecting water since last week.
Clr Moyo said people who simply paid the bills without complaining were likely to be refunded after a systems upgrade.
“I admit that our billing system is not up to scratch. However, within the next three months, we will commission a new billing system that is accurate and will always be up to date. People who were prejudiced through the current system will be refunded when the new system starts working,” said Clr Moyo.
He said all the mistakes that were made in the present system would be detected in the new one and rectified.
The Mayor said council officials were undergoing training in preparation for the new system.
The local authority also posted notices in the Revenue Hall advising residents to ignore the penalties.
“Regarding composite bills for March and April, please be advised that water penalties charged in the above bills are now subject to a council review. Please pay the balance due less the penalties. You shall be advised of the final decision in due course,” read the notice.
Residents who had water supplies restored to their properties said council should be more forthcoming with information.
“I went to the council offices before they cut off water to my house in Emakhandeni suburb and the officials rudely told me that the figure was accurate. They told me to take my meter reading and when I did, the figure that appeared on my bill was far much more than the actual one. Although I am happy to say they have restored supplies, I must stress that they should improve their public relations,” said a man who declined to be named.
Council has of late resorted to composite billing whereby the charge for two months is incorporated into one bill, in a bid to catch up with the billing schedule, reportedly behind by two months.
Angry residents, who are becoming increasingly frustrated with the Bulawayo City Council’s billing system, have been queuing at the Revenue Hall demanding an explanation for the bills.
The local authority is on a massive water disconnection exercise over unpaid bills.
A total of 14 504 households and properties were disconnected in May.
Council is trying to recover about $62 million from residents and property owners in the city.
Online Reporter