City of Ekurhuleni recovers 18% of R2bn lost to billing error

JOHANNESBURG - The City of Ekurhuleni has recovered 18% of the R2 billion it lost after thousands of household and commercial customers had their electricity meters tampered with.

The revenue loss stemmed from a billing issue that saw some municipal customers undercharged for electricity, while others had their arrears wiped out.

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A senior official was suspended in April for alleged negligence that enabled the crisis.

At a media briefing on Wednesday, Ekurhuleni Mayor Doctor Xhakaza confirmed that progress was being made in recovering the lost R2 billion.

"So far, we have collected over R365 million from these historical accounts. Out of a total identified value of approximately R2.1 billion, we have to date successfully billed nearly R1.4 billion. There is a further R761 million that is in the process of being billed, following the necessary dispute and agreement period awarded to customers. Our momentum is growing, we will now aggressively drive a city-wide collection campaign aimed at collecting the outstanding R1 billion, which has already been billed."