MyPE

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The Nondaba Chronicles – NMBM, Water and Pre-paid Electricity for Township Residents

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After seeing the violent attacks on the Councillor’s houses in Soweto this week, Nondaba and I had another little chat about water and electricity.

I was bemoaning about the fact that with our dam levels sitting at an average total combined capacity of 84,3%, I felt that the NMBM was being extremely roguish by not removing the water restrictions.

I then asked Nondaba if the residents, residing in the townships, need to pay for water? She replied; “Yes!” Nondaba then said; “What makes the residents mad is that their electricity is cut off if they do not pay their WATER bill.” The electricity is a pre-paid service – I find this absolutely bizarre as I can completely understand the Municipality shutting off the water, but why does the punishment have to roll-over to the electricity when it is pre-paid?

Does this mean that sewerage and refuse removal is also unavailable to the defaulting residents?

Regards

Janine Meyburgh

Editors Notes: Another thing I find strange is the following – my father in law died recently after ailing for a long time. A tenant of his phoned this week to say that he could not buy pre-paid electricity. After a couple of phone calls I established that his rates account was in arrears by two months, the tenants pre-paid account was linked to the rates account and the Municipality had stopped the tenant from buying pre-paid electricity on the basis of the rates arrears.

Thankfully the Longhair had hooked him up to internet banking and we were able to solve that quickly enough.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.

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Comments

  1. We need to remove the words FREE and PAID FOR BY THE GOVERNMENT from our vocabulary. In reality, the rates and tax payers foot the bill – making it their BURDEN.