GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality has introduced a new Platinum Citizen Portal aimed at giving residents easier online access to their municipal accounts and statements.
The digital platform allows account holders to view, download and print their municipal statements, while continuing to receive their monthly bills through existing channels.
According to the municipality, monthly statements will continue to be emailed as PDF attachments on the day of billing. In addition, residents will receive an SMS containing a secure link on billing day. A second reminder SMS will follow, showing only the amount outstanding based on the debtor's ageing.
The municipality emphasises that the online portal serves as an additional tool for account management, giving residents access to a more detailed version of their statements. Statements will only appear on the portal after they have been issued by email and SMS.
Before registering:
• Use the new municipal account number.
Registration will fail if an old account number is used. The new number appears on the latest statement.
• The ID number or company registration number must match the municipality's records exactly.
• Business account holders must select the correct identification type and enter the business registration number.
• Residents uncertain about their details should first contact the municipality for verification.
The portal can be accessed on www.george.gov.za by clicking on the 'Accounts View' button. A step-by-step video guide is available on the municipality's YouTube channel. For assistance, send an email to [email protected] or phone 044 801 9111 during office hours.
The portal's launch comes on the heels of many residents querying their municipal accounts. One claims he was charged a penalty tariff on water usage for December, despite the increased tariff reportedly being applicable only from 5 January.
Although he received acknowledgement of his email query, he said no further feedback had been provided. His account had since fallen overdue, but he maintained he wanted the billing corrected before making payment.
When approached for comment, the municipality initially cited the Protection of Personal Information Act, stating that it could not disclose or discuss an individual consumer's account details with the media. The municipality confirmed, however, that the account would be reviewed and that the complainant would be contacted directly. Following further enquiry, the municipality stated that the complainant had since been contacted and was incorrect in his assumptions, adding that he had been charged the standard water tariff. The municipality also referred to the 2025/26 tariff book available on its website.
The Platinum Citizen Portal is aimed at giving residents easier online access to their municipal accounts.
Residents who believe their accounts may be incorrect are advised to submit a written query to the accounts department and keep proof of submission, along with any acknowledgement received. They should also request written confirmation that the matter is under review and continue paying the undisputed portion of the account, if applicable, to avoid further penalties. If no response is received within a reasonable time frame, residents are encouraged to follow up. In addition, they should check that their new account numbers and personal or business registration details match the municipal records, as mismatched information can delay the resolution of any queries.
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