Holding steady amid billing chaos

Sabotage is to blame for the billing chaos which erupted during the past week. More than half a million residents initially did not receive accounts by email, SMS, MMS or snail mail. By Friday, many had received erroneous accounts.

These developments caused headaches for residents, councillors and officials.

WHAT TO DO

1. Stay calm

2. If you do not receive an account, pay your monthly average.

If you receive an account which genuinely seems ridiculously high, log a query by phoning 0860562874, or visiting the Regional Offices at the corner of Jan Smuts and Bram Fischer, Randburg.

Ask for a REFERENCE NUMBER.

Then send me (martcw7@gmail.com) the ref number, account number, name, cellphone number, email address, property address, meter number (if appropriate) plus a short explanation of the problem. No email strings or attachments, please.

I shall escalate. In general, overworked officials have been helpful in resolving billing issues.

3. Don’t take a chance. If your account is high for a valid reason such as a water leak or previous non-payment, don’t assume that you will easily be reconnected.

Important Contacts

BEAGLE CONTROL ROOM: 011 678 1972 www.beaglewatch.co.za
HGC Committee: info@hurlingham.org.za security@hurlingham.org.za environment@hurlingham.org.za membership@hurlingham.org.za statements@hurlingham.org.za
Flying Squad: 10 111
Randburg SAPS vehicles: 071 675 7115 / 6
Ambulance: City: 011 375 5911 ER24: 084 124 Netcare 911: 082 911
Randburg Police: 011 449 9115 / 9110 / 9117 10111 for an emergency
Joburg Metro Police: 011 375 5911
Ward Councillor: 083 459 6152 Martin Williams martcw7@gmail.com
Joburg call centre: 0860-JOBURG 0860-562-874 Includes City Parks and Pikitup See Community Info --> Overview section for a full list of numbers
Water Issues: Joburg Water 011 375 5555 customerservice@jwater.co.za
Electricity Issues: http://www.citypower.co.za and click "Fault Reporting" or on mobile http://citypower.mobi
Road Issues: hotline@jra.org.za
Environmental Contraventions: 011 587 4232 1st point of contact for any issues arising from the Health Act (noise, restaurants, unsanitary backyards etc) abednigot@joburg.org.za
Pollution: 011 226 8328 WisemanN@joburg.org.za
Revenue Queries: 011 375 5555
Traffic Signs and Markings: Jurie Swart JRA - Assistant Manager, Traffic Signs and Markings section for Region B jswart@jra.org.za
Region B Contacts and Information: http://hurlingham.alpha.structureit.net/media/48375/Region-B.pdf
Building regulations: 011 407 6111
Eskom: 086 003 7566