Madonsela to soon release City of Joburg billing report

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela will release her report on the City of Joburg’s electricity billing system on March 31, her office has said.

Madonsela’s intervention followed complaints by Johannesburg residents about exorbitantly high and incorrect bills.

She called on the city to resolve the problem while her office monitored progress. She advised the city to consider international benchmarking with other billing systems in the world and establish an ombudsman to address complaints.

Last year, the city announced it would establish its own ombudsman, a move Madonsela welcomed. She said this would provide correct systems through which people’s anger could be channelled, in the process reducing people’s frustration and street protests.

The presidency also met with the city officials after its hotline received 8 000 complaints about the city’s billing system.

At the time, the city had 66 000 outstanding billing queries.

Later in 2012, Madonsela said she was satisfied with efforts by the city to address its billing problems.

- Sapa