JA van der Merwe:
Ek is 'n pensioenaris en moet my sente altyd omdraai. Ek het nie krag vir die onverantwoordelike hantering van my geldelike transaksies deur instansies van wie 'n mens uiterste noukeurigheid verwag nie.
Iets waaroor ek egter ook wonder, is of dit moreel aanvaarbaar is om die publiek se basiese behoefte aan iets so essensieel soos elektrisiteit te benut vir die invordering van slegte skuld - selfs sonder enige kennisgewing met betrekking tot slegte skuld of die moontlikheid om sodanige skuld oor 'n tydperk af te betaal. Vir my kom dit ietwat meedoënloos voor.
Voeg egter hierby die moontlikheid dat menslike/elektroniese foute of selfs skelmstreke kan insluip en ook dat nie almal wat krag aankoop noodwendig agterkom dat hulle ten onregte gepenaliseer is nie.
Riaan du Plessis, the CFO of George Municipality, writes:
George Municipality confirms that an error occurred on the account in question. Once the matter was brought to the municipality's attention, it was investigated promptly; the error was corrected and the affected consumer's account was credited accordingly.
The customer has acknowledged the municipality's speedy handling of the matter.
The municipality processes a large volume of billing, tariff and service-related transactions each month. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, no large administrative system can realistically operate in a completely error-free environment.
The municipality remains committed to continuously improving its systems and controls within affordable and sustainable financial limits, while ensuring that any discrepancies brought to its attention are investigated and corrected as quickly as possible.
Residents are encouraged to review their municipal accounts regularly and to report any concerns or discrepancies for investigation.
