Mayor Danny Jordaan\u2019s electricity account at his Port Elizabeth home has been paid up in full\u201a according to Nelson Mandela Bay municipal spokesman Roland Williams.<\/p>\n
This comes after the municipality failed to pick up that the electricity meter had burnt out in 2007 \u2013 a problem that Jordaan\u2019s wife Roxanne said she had reported several times over the years.<\/p>\n
A new meter was finally installed about a month ago.<\/p>\n
Roxanne told Weekend Post last week that a standing debit order which included electricity\u201a water and other municipal charges had been going off their account every month between 2007 and 2015.<\/p>\n
The amount that was outstanding has been settled in full\u201a Williams said.<\/p>\n
He said the electricity charges were calculated based on a three-month average and the tariff increases over the seven years were also taken into account.<\/p>\n
Jordaan\u2019s electricity bill has garnered a lot of attention across the country since it was reported in Weekend Post.<\/p>\n
Some\u201a including the Democratic Alliance\u2019s mayoral candidate\u201a Athol Trollip\u201a accused Jordaan of simply skipping out on his payments\u201a while others believed it was a political ploy to cast doubt on his leadership.<\/p>\n
But Williams insisted this week: \u201cThe account was paid in full. Normally\u201a the customer can work out a payment plan\u201a but in this case the customer paid it in full.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen this kind of thing happens\u201a in terms of the policy by-law\u201a there\u2019s a calculation that is done premised on a three-month average. It must take into account the various increases over the period.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe customer can dispute the calculation\u201a but in this case the customer has not disputed the calculation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt won\u2019t be correct to disclose what the calculation was.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jordaan\u2019s faulty electricity meter has highlighted a big problem in the municipality\u2019s electricity department of faulty meters that have gone undetected.<\/p>\n
The city loses hundreds of millions of rands every year due to electricity losses.<\/p>\n
Williams said the electricity and energy department was investigating why municipal officials did not respond to Roxanne\u2019s complaints over the years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe electricity and energy directorate is investigating that internally because as we understand it the problem was reported to us more than once. Why it was not done may be innocent.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it was gross negligence\u201a it will be dealt with.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis happens\u201a it\u2019s not unusual. There are 330 000 meters so it happens\u201a but it must be reduced to become zero percent. We must have a zero tolerance [approach] toward this\u201a\u201d Williams said.<\/p>\n
Executive director of electricity and energy Silby Matthew said there were several challenges with electricity meters across the Bay.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are in the process of identifying and replacing meters where we find problems\u201a\u201d Matthew said.<\/p>\n
Source: RDM News Wire<\/p>\n
ANC mayor Jordaan not billed for electricity for 7 years: report<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Limpopo municipality wants 35% electricity tariff hike<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n