Shock as Durban Pensioner is Given 14 Days To Pay R3.4 Million Water Bill

Durban – eThekwini Municipality’s revenue department has issued a 75-year-old Clairwood woman 14 days to pay up a R3million metro bill.

The woman lives on a family trust property, together with her two sisters.

She broke down in tears as she spoke to Daily News, uncertain on what the future holds, and what impact the bill will have on her.

The woman, who did not want to be named, immediately went Florence ­Mkhize Building in Anton Lembede Street after receiving the bill, to try and have the matter resolved.

That has not been very helpful though.

“A lady behind the counter made copies of the bill, but did not say anything. On Friday (June 7), I went back to query the bill, but I was told to come back on July 10,” she said.

The city changed their water meter in December last year, and since then their bill has been averaging between R1,500 and R1,700. In April however, they did not receive a bill, but she went ahead and paid R1,000 anyway.

“I paid R2 000 this month because I was told to keep on paying my account even though I received the high bill. We are so stressed thinking about this. We have to deal with this and our health ailments. What will happen when officials meet us again? I hope it gets solved. The cost of living is so high,” she said.

The shocker came in May, when she received a R3.4 million bill. It came with an arrears notice, and a warning to cut off her supply should she fail to pay within 14 days.

Clairwood and eThekwini PR councillor Sharmaine Sewshanker said that figure was ridiculous.

“It is not fair on pensioners. Senior citizens like this resident go into a state of panic when such a bill is received. I have written to the head of billing to investigate and sort this out immediately,” she said.

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