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Andries M

1 reviews | Active since Oct 2015

16 Oct 2024, 14:13

i-Switch Prepaid Metering DENYING it’s customers the right to purchase water.

I just recently learned that i-Switch Prepaid Metering company has become a debt collection company. i-Switch was brought at our complex as a service provider that is going to help us purchase prepaid water. The agreement was that each unit needs to pay a fee of around R3000 for installation and then moving forward, each unit will have their own meter number and be able to purchase prepaid water as and when they want and as much water as they like.

Now, this agreement has been broken because now i-Switch Prepaid Metering company is suddenly charging us R300 which is capped before one can purchase water, more like the same situation with City Power’s R200 service fee each month.

We have been told that if you want to purchase water, you need to pay R300 first, from there depending how much you owe on levies, you have to pay another percentage of your levy fees before you can actually purchase water using i-Switch Prepaid Metering.

This begs the question of, are they offering a service for us to purchase water or settle debts? is this even legal for a service provider that allows customers to purchase water, be the same one that denies the customer to purchase water unless they pay a fee that is capped and also pay levies before they can actually purchase water.

i-Switch Prepaid Metering is meddling in the Complex’s business issues and not offering the services that they were actually brought in to provide.

We are writing this here to inform the rest of the public that is or may want to be hire them for their services. We are also seeking assistance from anyone who can better advise if one: is this legal, two: where can we report them for this conduct or should one just inform their lawyers to deal with this matter if maybe the city or someone can not assist.

This by the way it is happening in Fleurhof ext. The name of the complex is RidgeView Complex where i-Switch is denying its customers to purchase water that is a basic need for all by virtue of owing levies.

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Replies (1)
i-Switch Prepaid Metering (Pty) Ltd
i-Switch Prepaid Metering (Pty) Ltd's reply17 Oct 2024, 08:46
Official
Dear Residents of Ridgeview,
This notice serves to clarify the purpose behind the restrictions on utility purchases within the Ridgeview community. These measures are not intended to prevent or hinder your ability to purchase utilities, but rather to ensure that the Body Corporate has the necessary funds to settle its outstanding account with the City of Johannesburg (COJ).
Please be advised that iSwitch is acting under the direct instructions of the Trustees and the appointed Managing Agent in this matter. The Ridgeview complex currently carries a significant debt owed to COJ, and as such, all collections made via the metering system are strictly for the purpose of settling this debt.
It is important to note that, should the Body Corporate fail to collect the required amounts via the metering system, the entire complex faces the risk of water and electricity disconnections by COJ. In light of this, we strongly urge all owners to ensure that their levies are paid promptly and in full, as this will allow the complex to continue making payments to COJ and avoid any disruption to essential services.
 
Kind regards