Pensioner puzzled by sky high electricity account
A pensioner who lives in Sunward Park’s water and electricity account has, in a matter of three months, drastically jumped from R738 to R1 690.
Yvonne Demmer is a pensioner living alone in a small two-bedroom house.
She claimed she doesn’t bake and her meals are minimal. She also uses the bath water to water the garden.
“Something is definitely wrong and I certainly cannot pay these exorbitant accounts on my SASSA pension of R1 530,” said Demmer.
In May she received an account to the tune of R738 and in June the account was R625.
She paid these accounts without any fuss. However, in July her account amounted to almost R2 000.
Demmer queried it at the Ekurhuleni metro and was told to pay only R1 200, which she did.
“They said they were behind with their SASSA pensioners’ deductions, due to the amount received. I can understand this,” said Demmer.
In August, she received an account of R1 690, showing a 60-day overdue balance of R407.28.
“I am tired of going into the metro and querying my account,” said Demmer.
“Half the time the staff are busy talking among themselves and laughing, on the telephone or their cellphones or out of the office.
“My application in regard to the SASSA discount was handed in well before June 30 in order not to miss the deadline.”
The Advertiser contacted the Ekurhuleni metro for comment on the complaint and is still awaiting a response.
