The Democratic Alliance (DA) in eThekwini has once again successfully intervened to protect residents from excessive and inaccurate municipal billing. Recently, DA councillor stood up for Mr. Anivesh Singh, who was unjustly charged an estimated R282,018.22 by the eThekwini Municipality.
Following DA intervention, Mr. Singh’s account was credited with more than R58,000, preventing further financial exploitation.
Alarmingly, this was not the first time Mr. Singh received an inaccurate bill—raising serious concerns about the municipality’s ongoing billing failures.
The DA is deeply concerned about how many other residents may have unknowingly paid for services they never consumed due to the municipality’s incompetence. With eThekwini Municipality struggling to collect over R36 billion in outstanding debt, the city must focus on efficient revenue collection rather than unfairly overcharging residents.
The DA urges all eThekwini residents to scrutinize their municipal bills and take the following steps if they suspect overbilling:
1. Act quickly – Disputes must be raised within 30 days of receiving an incorrect bill.
2. Keep records – Maintain a detailed paper trail, including emails, phone calls, and reference numbers.
3. Identify the issue – Determine the cause of the error, such as incorrect tariffs or misallocated payments.
4. Pay uncontested amounts – Ensure that any undisputed charges are paid to avoid penalties.
5. Escalate if necessary – If the dispute is not resolved, escalate the matter within the municipality, refer it to the municipal ombudsman, or seek legal advice.
Know your rights:
Under the Municipal Systems Act (No. 32 of 2000), residents have the right to dispute incorrect bills, and the municipality must provide proof of accuracy. Furthermore, while a dispute is ongoing, the municipality cannot disconnect services or take credit control actions against affected residents.
The DA remains committed to holding eThekwini Municipality accountable and ensuring that residents are billed fairly. We encourage anyone experiencing similar billing issues to lodge a formal dispute at their nearest Sizakala Centre.
The DA will continue to fight for transparency, efficiency, and fairness in municipal services.