Many citizens keep enquiring about whether electricity and water disconnection instituted by the Municipality is lawful or unlawful.
Setting The Record Straight:
A municipality is legally allowed to disconnect the supply of any service whatsoever supplied to a property, where there are undisputed arrears owing in connection with any other service billed in connection with that property.
Pre-Termination Notices:
The law states that a Municipality must provide the consumer/owner with a minimum of 14 days written notice of termination of the supply of electricity and water.
Please note that if such a notice is not handed over, the disconnection is rendered unlawful.
The reason why an individual is granted 14 days is to allow that individual to respond to the Municipality within that time frame as well as to point out any disputes regarding the outstanding fees or to arrange a payment before the 14-day lapse.
Pending Disputes:
It is illegal for a Municipality to disconnect an individual whilst there is a pending dispute between the individual and the Municipality regarding the outstanding arrears.
Settling of outstanding and undisputed charges:
Given that you fail to pay your current charges (or any amount of your current and undisputed charges) you can be disconnected, even if you have an existing query concerning other disputed charges on your account.
Assistance Offered:
Manzankosi Corporate Legal Consultancy is ready to assist you with comprehending your rights as a consumer as well as ensuring that the Municipality doesn’t institute any unlawful water and electricity disconnections against you.
