Drakenstein municipal accounts are faulty
2005-12-01
I WOULD like to bring to your attention to serious mistakes made by Drakenstein Municipality’s financial department.
We had a house built in a complex in Wellington in November 2003. Our first account came 21 December 2003 for rates and tax but there was no refuse removal or sewerage charge.
My husband immediately went to the Municipality to enquire about this. Their reply was that there was no refuse removal and sewerage to be charged to this house as it lies on the border of Wellington.
We left it at that and then every month, same thing - no refuse removal or sewerage on the account.
We were getting very concerned because something was not right, so my husband once more went to the Municipality and their reply was the same as before. We thought okay, then it was all in order.
Now two years later after several telephone calls and asking whether this account was correct, we received a bill in October 2005 for a huge amount.
When we queried it, they said that since 2003 they had not charged us for refuse removal or sewerage and that for that period we owed them a large sum of money.
Wellington blames Paarl for this error and vice versa. At one time they said the computer made the error and my reply was that computers do not make mistakes unless the person working on the computer makes the mistake.
Why should we be charged for something that was the municipality’s mistake in the first place?
I request that this be resolved because this account is not my problem. I did not make this error, the municipality did and they must sort it out. I have all the accounts and receipts to prove their error.
Geraldene Westcott
The Acting Municipal Manager responds: It was explained to Mrs Westcott’s daughter that due to the fact that Housing Complex, Les Hugenots, has got one bulk water meter, and each unit has a pre-paid electricity meter, reduces our department’s control meganisms relating to sewerage and refuse removal services.
As the aforementioned controls in this instance were not in place, we had to rely on our Engineering Department notification of refuse service rendered, such as issuing of a refuse bin.
According to the Systems Act we MUST recover ALL monies payable to this Council, and we can recover undercharged services as far back as three years.
It is very difficult to further investigate this matter as Mrs Westcott does not mention any of the official’s names with whom she dealt with at Paarl or Wellington office.
She is welcome to visit my office (income section) to settle this matter and or make down-payment arrangements.
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