The City of Cape Town forces a more self reliant citizen and thereby cuts their own long term revenues and sustainability

CA ********** 58 - Case with the City of Cape Town

The city fails to see that the mechanics of their chosen processes fails their customers. I contacted the city to say that I have a consumption problem but I'm not sure where it stems from as it doesn't quite add up from a known usage perspective. While I'm investigating I now sit with a huge bill as this occurs during the first period of 6B restrictions. I request (28 March 2018) the city to restrict the meter to a daily limit of 350l per day as this is a sound management practice and will protect all from water losses and penalties.

I eventually find the source of the problem and it turns out that I now have a leak. After fixing it, periodic readings suggest consumption is aligned with usage.

The city doesn't inform me that since talking to me they have decided not to limit my meter until I complete an application form and doesn't inform me that this step in the process is required.

They have no legal concern for the fact that a penalty was issued for the abuse of water which, evidenced by the leak, is like penalizing me for incurring a plumbing fault.

On the eve of the holiest day of any Muslim, being Eid tomorrow, the city cuts water for water arrears outstanding to my property and refuses to turn it back on within 24hrs from full payment of the outstanding amount.

I was paying an instalment each month that would have allowed the settlement of the arrears within 3 to 4 months. Instead of realizing this from the payments I make and seeing the consumption drop dramatically their process dictates that they cut the supply and seek payment terms which is less than what I'm actually paying each month.. Go figure..

The city has failed to see that they are dealing with human beings and not herding cattle. With better processes and interactions with city this could have gone very differently.

I've decided not to use water from the city any longer as eating and shelter is just as important as water.,,, And just like that the city will loose another paying constituent that affects their strategic business case. So with enough time passing so there will be less jobs at the city too as people are forced to find other means. This is also now a booming industry comprising very resourceful people.

I've also formed the opinion that the city carries the ethos and management approach of the Democratic Alliance. That I imagine, will be an issue for the voting poles next year. Unfortunately, given the length of the period of misdirection and poor leadership the fixes brought by the ANC, when it happens, will first have to hurt before it serves and will hit the public servant the hardest.

Why is it that in Pretoria, Johannesburg or Durban I can enter into a civil conversation with anybody in civil service where as in Cape Town you feel like the operator is being coached by the city's attorney?

Fortunately, the alternate means for sustaining life in Cape Town is an industry already on its feet and cater for constituents that are able to afford basic amenities. Thank God for this.