Eksom - lack of professionalsm - penalizing pensioners

In December 2019 my parents (who are pensioners) received a Eskom bill of R2903.60.

Throughout the year my parents paid their account on time and always more than what the amount was for. I am witness to this. And they have ALL the receipts to support this statement

However as I mentioned, in December 2019 they received a bill of R2903.60. I immediately called Eskom to enquire about this bill and this is what I was told...

I spoke to Norina on the 19 December 2019 and our phone call started at 11.15 and lasted about 41 min.

In this time it was discovered that Eskom did not do their job throughout 2019. It was confirmed that from March to November they took 'estimated' readings and in December they took a 'actual' reading. Norina confirmed in this call that Eskom is suppose to take a 'actual' reading EVERY SECOND MONTH!!! So it came to light that Eskom was not doing their job and was now penalizing my parents for their lack of professionalism!!

Norina continued to asked me if we wanted to apply for a credit application and I said no, why must my parents (who are pensioners) pay for Eskom's down right laziness, they got paid a salary to do a job which they did not do!!!! She proceeded to log a call and its the 6 Jan 2020 and I'm still waiting for someone to call me back, instead I get a message to say I must apply for a credit application. NO!!! Reference for this call is ***.

How can you do an 'actual' reading in Feb 2019 and then again only in December 2019 and expect pensioners to pay for your mistake?? and then you still have the ordacity to tell them they much apply for a credit application in order to pay the bill off?? NO!!

Facts are:

1) Eskom is suppose to do a ACTUAL reading EVERY TWO MONTHS - in this case they did one in Feb 2019 and again one on the 14 December 2019 - not on!!!

2) Eskom received salaries for a job NOT done!!!!

3) Norina then also proceeded to ask if there was any chance that we could phone through a 'actual' reading every month and and told her that it's not possible as the box is outside on municipality grounds under lock and key which we do not have, so I asked her if she had a solution for this and she could not offer me one.

I have taken this to the news papers and I'm just waiting for a date when it will go to print.

I expect a representative from Eskom to get back to me in regards to this account and use the reference number provided in this statement to do their groundwork before phoning me. I want this resolved as again there has been a lack of communication on Eskom's side as someone was suppose to get back to me within two working days after the call was logged and like I said, its the 6 Jan 2020 and I'm still waiting on Eskom to get back to me with a solution.

I will not let my parents pay for Eskom's down-right laziness and lack of professionalism.