Doctor receives R2.7 million electricity bill

INCORRECT METER READING BLAMED

- ZAINUL DAWOOD

AFTER receiving a staggering R2.7 million electricity bill, a Reservoir Hills doctor was told by the eThekwini Municipality that it was due to an incorrect meter reading which he had submitted.

Dr Terence Govender's average monthly electricity bill is R8 500.

So when he was billed R2.7 million for March and April, he was stunned.

His bill for April was R91 000. This included R1 680 for water, R55 000 for electricity and R256 for cleansing and solid waste.

He was also charged interest of R23 641 for arrears and VAT of R8 636.

The total bill for March and April totaled R2.8 million.

Gugu Sisilana, spokesperson for the city, said they had noted the enquiry on the unusually high electricity bill.

She said after investigating the matter, the city found that the circumstances that led to the high bill was as a result of an incorrect reading submitted to e-services by the customer.