GEORGE NEWS - A George resident complains that some electricity vendors in Thembalethu charge an extra "service fee" for electricity purchases.
The service fee is not reflected on the slip printed for the electricity that was bought, but is charged afterwards.
"For R50 of electricity the purchaser will have to pay a further R5. The larger the purchase, the higher the extra cost. R100 of electricity will need an extra R10," the complainant says.
"This is unlawful, but the purchaser has very little choice. Vendors are selected by the electricity supplier, and they earn a commission, but now they are robbing the ignorant. My house worker has confirmed this and said that it is common practice. All the spazas do it. It is criminal that the most vulnerable get ripped off."
According to Electro-technical Services Director Bongani Mandla, customers who are charged extra must take a photo of the receipt and the token where they were required to pay additional charges.
"The token and/or receipt will assist the municipality in the identification of the specific spaza or shop or vendor doing that.
"The municipality and/or its contractor will take the necessary steps once that information has been verified and the vendor identified."
Mandla says residents who are unsure of the validity of a vendor must check with the municipality or its contractor, Ontec, that can verify vendors.
"Usually, all Ontec needs is a token indicating the service provider (that sells the prepaid electricity) and the agent number linked to it.
"If however nothing is available, Ontec urges the public to contact their office to verify and if necessary, Ontec will inspect the specific point(s)."
Ontec's contact number is 044 873 5474.
Vending foundation
"Debt collection and credit control, as well as sales and distribution of free basic electricity (FBE), rely on the vending foundation, and it is essential that we make use of trustworthy partners in this regard," says Mandla.
Transgressing vendors and even networks have been switched off in the past due to transgressions.
"Transgressions will not be tolerated. Vendors are also not allowed to sell electrical units at inflated amounts. Small shops or spaza shops may also not sell electricity to residents on the premise that they should buy other goods first. Residents who struggle with the cost of electricity are encouraged to reach out to the George Municipality to see if they qualify for assistance."
The public may phone 044 801 9029 for assistance.
Queries regarding prepaid meter issues may be directed to 044 801 9218/9229 or after hours to 063 699 5998. The caller should have their municipal account number and prepaid meter number handy. They can also email their query to elec.applications@george.gov.za and or accounts@george.gov.za.
The approved, directly managed electricity vending outlets in George are:
- Albert Motors, 42 Albert Street, George South
- Denneoord Multisave, corner of Wellington and 8th Avenue, Denneoord
- Engen Eco Stop, corner of Witfontein and CJ Langenhoven, Heather Park
- Total Courtenay, 57 Courtenay Street, George Central
- Total Sandkraal, 48A Sandkraal Road, Borcherds
- Caltex Fourway Motors, corner of York and Discovery streets, Pacaltsdorp Industria
- Poor Man's Friend, Fiscal Street, Conville
- Shell Kraaibosch, Knysna Road, Kraaibosch
- Caltex The Waves, 2242 South Street, Wilderness East
- Caltex Wilderness, George Road, Wilderness
- Uniondale Motors, 62 Voortrekker Street, Uniondale
- Royal Uniondale, Lang Straat, Lyonsville, Uniondale
- Yorkers Superette, 16 York Street, George South
- George Municipality, 69 York Street, George
- Ontec George, Progress Street, George
- Pick n Pay, Shoprite and the Spars are also included to sell prepaid electricity.
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