Staff Reporter
A 73-year-old resident of Whetstone, Phoenix, has had R160,000 municipal debt written off after a three-year billing dispute.
Phillip Patrick Christopher said the dispute began in 2021 and grew into a six-figure amount while he moved between municipal departments seeking answers.
“At my age, this kind of pressure takes a toll,” Christopher said.
“I went back and forth so many times, carrying the same documents, explaining the same story, and still nothing changed. I was starting to think I’d spend the rest of my life fighting this account.”
eThekwini Municipality has faced widespread criticism for persistent billing errors affecting residents, such as inflated charges, inaccurate estimates, and unresolved disputes.
The metro launched a new revenue management system called Customer to Meter (C2M) in November, with full implementation scheduled for July 2026.
Christopher’s matter was resolved after intervention by Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) councillor Dr Jonathan Annipen, who said he escalated the case after reviewing Christopher’s documents.
“No resident should have to spend years chasing an explanation for an account dispute,” Annipen said.
“The moment I reviewed Mr Christopher’s documents, it was clear that the matter needed urgent attention. It wasn’t just a financial issue — it was an issue of dignity and fairness.”
Christopher said the write-off brought relief after months of anxiety about the size of the debt.
“When I saw that amount — R160 000 — attached to my name, I felt sick. I simply could not understand how it had grown so high.
“I worried about the future, about how I would ever manage. There were nights I couldn’t sleep because the thought of that debt kept circling in my mind,” he said.
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