DA says eThekwini staff not trained for water loss claims process

Staff Reporter

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has accused eThekwini Municipality of failing to prepare frontline employees to process claims under a new compulsory Water Loss Levy intended to provide limited relief to domestic customers facing unusually high bills caused by verified underground leaks.

DA eThekwini councillor Ngiphiwe Smoh Xulu said on Tuesday that party representatives visited several Sizakala customer-service centres and found that employees were unable to assist residents with the new claims process.

“[R]ecent oversight visits to various Sizakala Centres across eThekwini revealed that staff have neither been informed about nor trained to administer the new claims process,” Xulu said.

The Water Loss Levy is a compulsory monthly levy that replaces a previous optional water-loss charge. It is specifically intended to fund limited relief for qualifying domestic customers affected by hidden underground leaks.

According to the municipality’s tariff policy, money raised through the levy will finance adjustments or write-offs