GEORGE NEWS - George Herald was notified this morning of a group of residents waiting in front of Debtpack’s office in Victoria Street, for help to unblock their prepaid electricity meters.
George Herald was told these residents are mostly from indigent households, and registered as such at George Municipality. This is according to a community leader, Lorraine van Schalkwyk, who visited the scene.
By 09:00 this morning about 104 people were already waiting to be helped. Some claim their accounts are in arrears, but say they’ve “made arrangements” with the municipality. They don’t understand why their meters have been blocked.
Municipal Spokesperson Chantel Edwards says George Municipality does not block electrical meters of registered, valid, indigent clients. "It may be the case that they are in the application process (note they are put on a list and are not blocked while the application process is ongoing), or they may in their opinion be indigent, but they are not formally registered as such on our system."
Edwards says the municipality has arranged for Debtpack and Ontec offices to assist residents with account queries daily from 08:00 to 16:00 (excluding December 27 and public holidays) during the temporary closure of municipal offices for the festive season.
“Debtpack and Ontec offices are available to assist with account queries and to help set up formal payment arrangements with regards to credit control issues. Customers are encouraged to bring all necessary documentation when seeking assistance. It is highly unlikely that residents seeking assistance during this period are newly blocked customers,” says Edwards.
Debtpack and Ontec offices will assist residents with account queries daily from 08:00 to 16:00 (excluding December 27 and public holidays) during the temporary closure of municipal offices for the festive season.
“Blocking of pre-paid meters is a routine credit control measure applied to accounts that are 30 to 60 days in arrears. This practice, approved by the Council, aligns with municipal policies and guidance from National Treasury and COGTA. Before a pre-paid meter is blocked, customers are contacted multiple times via SMS, notices, and hand-delivered letters to inform them of their account status.
“Blocking is implemented only as a last resort after all attempts to secure payment or a response have failed.”
Edwards says a common misconception is that paying a partial amount of money automatically constitutes a valid payment arrangement. “However, a formal, signed agreement is required to settle arrears. This agreement must specify a commitment to pay a designated amount monthly towards the arrears while keeping current accounts up to date. Once such an arrangement is in place, the account is flagged in the system and protected from further blocking,” says Edwards.
Residents are urged to ensure the municipality has their latest contact details.
To update information, contact the municipal offices or visit their website at https://www.george.gov.za/financial-services/accounts/update-your-contact-details/
Registered Applicants Receive
- Water Subsidy: 100% subsidy on the basic charge and 6kl of water per month per household.
- Electricity Subsidy: 100% subsidy for up to 70kWh of electricity per month per household.
- Refuse Removal Subsidy: 100% subsidy for refuse removal per month.
- Sewerage Disposal Subsidy: 100% subsidy for sewerage disposal per month.
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