If you don't want to render a service, don't offer it

Eskom 2.0 one would have expected better administration and service from a private company but I guess everything energy related runs better with pure incompetence that is rewarded. A statement was issued for December and I had no issue paying R491 however, a message that read ""Dear client, our meter reader will not be coming to your premises on the 27/12/2023 to take meter readings, please kindly assist him in taking a picture of your meter readings and send to *** to avoid estimation, Thank you." was then received. Make it make sense, you sent a statement for January and a message that overrides that statement and asks me to help your meter reader for the month of December readings, is received? For which month would I then be billed for when we pay a month in advance, February??? Once bitten twice shy, it wouldn't have been the 1st for Midcity Utilities to re-issue statements after issuing insane bills that were disputed successfully. I was billed an additional deposit fee and after I paid, it was said that shouldn't have been the case because a few people complained. I am now reminded to check my those statements because for the longest time my deposit on the following statements did not change nor was that money credited to the water consumption for the following months, which I will verify. Now, I was not home December to take that picture when the message came through & only returned on 8 Jan in the morning. Still waiting for the estimated statement because again, why would I need to take an image for the Jan bill meant for February? Especially because no sms nor email was received before or after the 4th for the outstanding amount for Jan. Here comes the meter reader on the 11th after hours (after 17:00) to switch off power because we owe R1800 & some change? From R491 to R1800 something?. Given the reviews on Hello Peter, this says to me, what is happening to us is a very deliberate tactic to de***** people without proper processes being followed. Your office hours end at 16:30 latest but your reader was here to switch off after 17:00. There was obviously no one to call in the office and maybe this was supposed to pressure me in to paying triple what could possibly be the outstanding amount to get back to our comfort & hope it reflects first thing tomorrow and avoid further inconvenience?. When are you turning my electricity on because I am not going to pay you what I did not consume and for what you failed to do as an institution. There are processes and procedures before you turn up and switch off just as ombudsman requires proof of an attempt to resolve a complaint prior to the case heading their way. So what steps did your office take prior to this which justifies your actions? I work from home, my fridge is full of food, I need to bath, I need to eat who is responsible for this inconvenience because I am not going to let it slide like water on a ducks back because these reviews, do indicate you do not treat people fairly. Let's say you did not cause confusion and you sent me the bill, sent me an sms, 1st letter of demand etc and then switched off, I would be very deserving of this but not in this case. I have never, not once not paid your office but I was treated like I know the drill without proper communication and procedure followed. Due notice was not given and I am not sure where you stand with the law right now over the supposed R491