Latest news with #JohannesburgWater
News24
12 hours ago
- Business
- News24
Johannesburg Water takes over billing function from City of Joburg
Johannesburg Water says residents and businesses will benefit from improved efficiency as it has taken over the billing of water and sanitation, reportedly marking 'a new era in service delivery and customer care'. Before 1 July, this function was managed by the City of Johannesburg's revenue shared services centre. Johannesburg Water said it had put systems, staff capacity and customer support mechanisms in place to ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption to services. Customers will continue to receive one consolidated statement reflecting all services, including rates, electricity, refuse, water and sanitation. The City remains responsible for the invoicing for these services and billing queries are currently still being logged through its call centre and regional offices as usual. 'This strategic transition marks a turning point in our continuous commitment to [improving] service delivery, [enhancing] operational efficiency, and improving accuracy in billing, therefore ensuring greater accountability in our customer billing processes,' said Johannesburg Water's managing director, Ntshavheni Mukwevho. 'By managing billing internally, Johannesburg Water will be better positioned to respond directly to customer queries, address discrepancies swiftly and introduce innovations tailored to our customers' needs,' Mukwevho said. According to Johannesburg Water, customers can expect enhanced accuracy in monthly water bills, faster resolution of billing queries, greater transparency, and direct communication with the entity in charge. 'We thank the CoJ (City of Johannesburg) for their collaboration and support in this transition, and we look forward to continuing to serve the residents of Johannesburg with increased efficiency and responsiveness,' said Mukwevho.
The Citizen
17-07-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Johannesburg Water explains Halfway House trench delays
Johannesburg Water (JW) spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala said they are aware of the Halfway House trench on the corner of Richards Drive and Suttie Avenue. This comes after the article, No clear reason for Halfway House trench, [week ending July 4], reported that the trench was an eyesore after JW allegedly left it opened. Midrand Reporter first took note of the trench in late April/early May, and attempted to get comment from a company next to it. Unfortunately, this proved fruitless. Also read: 3 years later, Vorna Valley resident still battles with JW over damaged swimming pool We noted the trench was still there recently, and contacted JW's communications team on July 1 regarding whether the leak had been repaired, and the delays over the trench's backfill and reinstatement. In their response, on July 10, Shabalala said JW is aware of the trench, which is barricaded, as the depot team was awaiting fittings manufacturing to complete the works. When asked when they will fix it and close the trench, she said: 'The leak was resolved by JW this past weekend, on July 5. JW initially completed the repairs using a clamp. However, the leak reoccurred, and the team opted to manufacture the bend/fitting as a permanent replacement.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
TimesLIVE
16-07-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
City Power targets Joburg business properties with R10.2bn debt
City Power has targeted non-paying business properties in Johannesburg that owe the electricity provider R10.2bn. City Power spokesperson, Isaac Mangena told TimesLIVE that the revenue collection will not only assist the department but also assist the community to get service delivery and improved infrastructure. A debt-collection drive was led on Wednesday by acting mayor Jack Sekwaila. The drive, which included City Power and Johannesburg Water, focused business properties and residential properties in Marshalltown. 'In Marshalltown alone we are owed R93m which makes it R10bn owed across the city,' he said. Mangena said they plan to recover debt to ensure they are able to sustain service delivery to residents . 'We cannot continue to sustain the city when property owners and businesses fail to meet us halfway,' he said. He added that businesses who generate profit should pay for the services they are using. 'Some buildings are taken over and others we are unable to identify their owners and it leads to an impact on City Power because such properties will connect to the network illegally leading to overloading of electricity,' Mangena said. Region F is the highest debtor region with R244m debt. The debt collection is aimed at revenue recovery and ensuring the municipality's financial sustainability. 'Marshaltown has 70 accounts with R93m debt, Fordsburg has 93 accounts with R65m debt and Doornfontein has 56 accounts with R86m debt. All of these accounts have been prioritised for disconnection this week to recover the money', Sekwaila said. Sekwaila added that the collection would be handled in two phases through to December. 'Phase 1 will end by July and phase 2 starts in August. This brings residents time to comply with us and urgently make arrangements to pay their accounts,' he added. A manager of a building providing student accommodation, Collen Sibiya, was shocked to discover that the property owes R2.4m for electricity. Sibiya said he was not aware of the amount and it would be an inconvenience for the students who live in the building. ' . 'According to the documents I have, our account is in order and we do pay on time. I am just surprised that we were supposed to pay for the previous owner's account.'
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- The Citizen
Water restored to 23 NGOs after Joburg High Court order
The High Court ruled in favour of 23 NGOs after water was cut illegally at their premises, disrupting child welfare services. The Johannesburg High Court ordered the City of Johannesburg and Johannesburg Water to restore water to a building that houses 23 NGOs, including organisations focused on children's rights and rehabilitation. The city and Johannesburg Water have reached a settlement with Section27, representing the Children's Memorial Institute (CMI), to reconnect the water supply to the property situated at 13 Joubert Street in Parktown. Water cut at property housing NGOs This occurred after the water supply to the building was cut on 14 June 2024, without following the procedural requirements outlined in Section 62 of the city's by-law. CMI is occupied by 23 NGOs operating on the property. These NGOs provide a safe refuge for abused children, offer therapy and counselling – particularly for children with disabilities – and run psychosocial programmes for disadvantaged youth. ALSO READ: NGOs say foreigners in SA told to return to their countries when opening cases against Operation Dudula The registered owner of the property is the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure and Development (GDID). The main occupants of the building are the School of Autism, a public school, and Charlotte Maxeke's laundry services. Section 27 said that the Gauteng Department of Health and the Gauteng Department of Education are responsible for covering the basic municipal fees for the School of Autism, as well as the laundry services. 'The 23 NGOs based on the property have been adversely affected by the disconnection of water services. Despite efforts to resolve the matter with the GDID and the city, no resolution was reached,' the organisation said. Property owned by GDID On 8 July 2025, the CMI filed an urgent application with the Johannesburg High Court. The institute requested that the water supply be restored immediately and that the city and Johannesburg Water not cut off water services until the necessary procedures are completed. ALSO READ: Gauteng NPOs struggle as social development cuts funding, says DA In response, the city and Johannesburg Water argued that the owner's account statement, which included a pre-termination notification, was sufficient to trigger service termination. These notices were issued to the owner, the GDID. 'However, the NGOs received no such notice and, as a result, were adversely impacted by the disconnection. The city's conduct is contrary to their city by-laws,' Section27 said. Court order to restore water supply within 48 hours On Tuesday, Judge Mudunwazi Makamu granted an order directing the city to restore the water supply within 48 hours and instructed the parties to engage in settlement and the resolution of accounts. The GDID, as the owner of the property, was also ordered to facilitate the division of accounts for services commencing 1 August 2025. ALSO READ: MES says CEO 'absolved' after claims of BEE violations and financial misconduct The department is required to report to the court on the facilitation process for dividing the account within 14 days of the court order. Section27 and the CMI welcomed the order. 'The water restoration brings much-needed reprieve to 23 NGOs who have experienced severe challenges without a water supply,' Section27 said. 'The NGOs are now able to continue their vital services in a hygienic and dignified manner and can continue serving their beneficiaries with the professionalism that they deserve.'
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Recurring blockage of sewer on 11th Avenue will be fixed
Ward 107 councillor Floyd Ngwenya has confirmed that a blocked sewer on 11th Avenue, Alexandra, has been reported to Johannesburg Water (JW) and is set to be attended to on July 16. The announcement follows over a week of mounting complaints from residents grappling with the foul stench and hazardous waste. The blockage, located just metres away from Sanele Ndaba's store, has been a recurring issue. Ndaba said the drain first became clogged more than two weeks ago. 'I called JW to log a ticket and got a reference number. A few days later, Ngwenya came, escalated the matter, and it was fixed.' However, within 24 hours, the same sewer reportedly blocked again. Read more: Greenville residents slam unresponsive councillor as sewer crisis festers Nearby resident Patrick Khuphani confirmed the issue re-emerged quickly and remained unattended, prompting concerns among nearby residents. With sewage gushing into the street, visible faeces swirled in the stream and used tissues clung to the tar, creating an unhygienic environment that has impacted Ndaba's food business. 'It affects the customers because it is close to the store.' Resident Walter Matlou, who often escalates service delivery complaints, said he had notified Ngwenya again, but had received no feedback for four days. Despite this, Matlou expressed confidence in the councillor's usual responsiveness. On the day Alex News visited, the situation revealed deeper behavioural challenges. One senior resident was seen dumping a bucket filled with water and waste into the flowing sewage. When asked whether she feared blocking the storm water drain, she replied: 'If you look inside [the storm water drain], you will find beds, and tons of plastics. This is Alexandra, no one can fix it.' Ngwenya responded that he was only aware of the earlier blockage. 'Please note that I am aware of the situation. I reported it last time, when it got blocked. I was not made aware of the fact that now it's blocked [again]. I've reported it now. It will be attended to tomorrow.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
