Passing the Buck
When Ethekweni's new system started in June 2016- I started to get exorbitant electricity bills. 
-Double the normal amount I paid with NO billing statements.I eventually got all my bills in August. Subu from the Phoenix offices finally managed to close an account which was supposed to have been done in 1997 but their system as per the staff would not allow the closing . I paid close to double my bill again and a further R613+-extra on the new account created which was explained as interim charges during the change ( I would rate him a definate 5) Thulani reopened this closed account in August 2016 for NO reason. It has been generating duplicate charges on the same meter since then. The duplicate statement was not sent to me . I paid my bills normally then received an exorbitant bill of R12750 in January 2017- upon investigation. we noticed a reading of over 145000 when my readings are still in the region of 60000 and I have lived there for 45years ( I have spent the last 3 years mostly in Gauteng due to family matters so this reading was shocking ( Their report received states that my electricity consumption is low and good with an average usage of 16.4  per day per household  over a period of 125 days and the norm is usually 21 kw . ) I had to go back to Gauteng in June so I went to the Phoenix branch and spoke to Patricia the supervisor on 22/5/2017. She stated that she could not tell me anything then as my account was placed on hold. I showed her my air tickets and  offered her a copy for my files - she declined stating it was not necessary as no action will be taken untll the investigations were complete. My flight was for 7/6/2017 - afternoon . I told her my concerns as I had to purchase a hugh amount of  meat , fish, poultry and other other stuff for my upcoming birthday party. she advised me to go ahead and make my preparations - which I did . My services were discontinued the morning after my departure. I receivd calls on the night of 18/6/2017 to advise there was a bad smell coming from my house . Everything in both fridges and the deep freeze was rotten .
My neighbours  ( Both were men) picked a fight with me because of the smell ( I advised that as good neighbours they should have asked how can I help) Ethekweni is charging me interest on both the bills and they finally managed to close the previously closed one again by transferring the now debit balance -(from a Zero balance to my account. They have also charged me diconnection and reconnection fees  even though the fault is theirs . They are still investigating the loss of my food - even though it is sitting in limbo with no one taking ownership. I should be sueing them for negligence and trauma because I was greatly traumatized by the sight of what met me when I opened the doors and I had to clean up the mess , the smell still lingers everytime I look at certain consumables , I want to puke  and despite the fact that there was 2 bills and an incorrect meter reading they are adamant that I used that much electricity - even though all the evidence states otherwise