Ratepayers in Tongaat are celebrating a major legal victory after a resident successfully challenged an erroneous and inflated water bill issued by eThekwini Municipality.
The Durban Regional Court ruled in favor of Arumoogum Pillay, determining that he should not be held liable for the staggering R329,763 debt. The charges, which date back to 2016, were disputed by Pillay, who cited errors under the municipality’s new billing system.
The ruling has been welcomed by the oThongathi Ratepayers Association, with spokesperson Jay Lovey Govender hailing it as a positive step for residents facing similar disputes.
“We are very grateful that ratepayers advised our community not to sign the acknowledgment of debt, which a local councillor insisted on every time someone attempted to make an arrangement,” Govender said.
She warned that many residents with smaller outstanding amounts were being threatened with water disconnection.
The court’s decision is expected to set a precedent for other residents disputing incorrect municipal billing.