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City of Joburg - a law unto themselves!

Johannesburg - a world-class African city? NOT BY A LONG SHOT!

Incompetent, egotistical, lazy, disrespectful of our Constitution and the rule of law! Most definitely not “in it” to serve and help their customers!

In early 2008, my then fiancé and I found out we were to become first-time parents to a baby boy. What an exciting time!

My mother agreed to sell her little townhouse and give us the money towards a house, but it had to have a granny flat.

So our search began. Eventually we found our home, with a granny flat which wasn’t a slap in the face to my mom for everything she had done for us, and a suitable house for us, with the space to do alterations over time.

So, at the beginning of September 2008 we all moved in, with the idea of this being our family home for decades to come.

Over the next few years things progressed in a slightly different direction than originally planned, but still allowing for us to grow our family by another beautiful baby boy and have some memorable and happy times.

In late 2011, I made a stupid career decision, which has cost me financially over the past 6 years.

I have battled financially ever since, and in October of 2015 things got a lot worse when my wife lost her job.

I did find work over this time, but not at the levels I earned at previously, which put a lot of stress on my family. Fortunately my mother was able to assist us with food and some bills. Unfortunately my mother passed away this past December and we don't have any support from any other family.

In October of 2016 I found out about the ESP package offered by the City of Joburg and went in to the Braamfontein offices to apply for this.

At no point was I advised that the package was only valid for 6 months and that any unemployed persons in the household could also apply, i.e. my wife.

I carried on looking for work and in April of 2017 briefly found permanent employment and advised my contact at the City of Joburg of such, via email, but never received a response. I also queried my statements as the ESP rebate was not reflecting on my statements. I didn’t receive a response.

On the 27th of September 2017, two men in a white car, without identification came to cut off my water. There was a physical altercation, as I didn’t believe they had the right to turn off my water, and I went into the house to calm down. After they left, I then found a termination notice in my gate.

On the 28th of September, 2 staff, wearing City of Joburg clothing, came to my gate to inform me that they were cutting my electricity. One of them found a pre-termination notice on my driveway dated 27 September, which states I have 14 days to make a payment arrangement, otherwise services would be terminated. Despite showing the female staff member this, she refused to comply with the 14 days and cut my electricity.

I have emailed the City of Joburg, the DA – who forwarded my email to various people at the City of Joburg, my ward councillor and so forth. I have found a ruling by the constitutional court that the city have to abide by the 14 day grace period. I advised them of this ruling, and have asked that they reconnect me and give me the 14 days. They have refused.

To make matters even more laughable, on the 11th of October, I received another pre-termination notice, dated 9 October 2017, in my gate! It is crazy! I have already been terminated! Does the one hand not know what the other is doing?

I have found out that the ESP package needed to be renewed every 6 months and that my wife could also have applied.

I have asked that it be back dated, as no one had informed me, so to help us out – my request was declined.

I have told them I am willing to make a payment arrangement – as long as they reconnect me and honour the 14 days. They have failed to even acknowledge my email.

I have also advised them that since my power was cut, that the two street lights on the verge were also cut! To me, this indicates that for the past almost 10 years, I have been paying for the street lights!

There have been pre-termination notices delivered up and down our street, some for late payment and some for very small arrears amounts. As the City out sources this service it would seem that unnecessary pre-termination notices are being issued in some case, so that the contractors can be paid for delivering them.

If they were legitimate, would the City not look at assisting an area that has so many pre-termination notices and just cut off homes with young children, such as my own?

The Constitution ensures the right to water. As there is no communal water source, and according to some research, as I had piped in water to my house, I should still have this. The City can reduce pressure to my home, but not cut it entirely.

Further investigation has found that the City is using contractors to terminate customers, who ignore the rule of law, as they are paid per termination, and leave the legal aspects to the City – who is ignoring the law in any case.

Can anyone help me? I just want to get reconnected and have the City honour the 14 days!

A desperate resident

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