Elderly Craighall Park Couple Slammed With R143k Bill for a Meter That Isn’t Theirs

A Johannesburg couple in their 70s is locked in a baffling and costly dispute with City Power, claiming they’ve been billed over R143,000 for electricity usage they didn’t consume and from a meter that isn’t even theirs.

Barrie and Geraldine Brookstone, longtime residents of Craighall Park, say their modest lifestyle couldn’t possibly explain the shocking figure that’s landed on their municipal statement and the mismatched meter numbers are raising serious red flags.

“We Barely Use Electricity”

Barrie (75) and Geraldine (74) live a quiet life in a small section of their home. Their electricity needs? Just the basics.

“We use two rooms,” Barrie told The Gazette. “We have the TV on at night, the geyser runs for two hours, and the fridge stays on, that’s about it.”

But according to City Power, their consumption has ballooned to nearly R100,000 in current charges, a figure that the couple insists is impossible and suspicious. The crux of their frustration lies in the fact that the meter number on their bill doesn’t match the physical meter installed on their property.

Desperate Measures, Dodgy Demands

In their attempt to resolve the issue, the Brookstones have already spent R17,000 replacing the electricity meters on their property. Yet the billing dispute persisted.

At one point, Barrie says he was told to pay R4,000 into a private account for help. “It felt dodgy, but I was desperate,” he said. “We just wanted to get this sorted.”

Their plight is further complicated by the fact that their house is currently under offer for sale, and the unresolved bill is now jeopardising the finalisation of the sale. “We want to move forward with our lives,” said Barrie. “But we’re stuck until City Power fixes this.”

A System That Fails the Vulnerable?

This isn’t the first time Johannesburg residents have found themselves caught in a web of billing nightmares, incorrect meter readings, or misallocated usage charges. Utility-related complaints, from mysterious charges to near-impossible bills are common, especially among elderly homeowners who often lack the resources or support to challenge large bureaucracies.

Social media users have previously voiced outrage over similar stories. One user on a Johannesburg community forum wrote, “It’s always the pensioners getting crushed by these systems. How can City Power expect them to pay for someone else’s bill?”

City Power Yet to Respond

The Gazette has reached out to City Power for clarity on the Brookstones’ case and the apparent meter mismatch but has yet to receive a response. Their story, however, is not an isolated one and it again raises urgent questions about transparency, accountability, and the protection of vulnerable residents.

If you or someone you know is facing an electricity billing dispute, make sure to:

• Photograph and document your actual meter number and usage

• Compare your bills to previous years for any sudden spikes

• Report irregularities directly to the Joburg ombudsman or your ward councillor

• Avoid making payments into unofficial accounts or to third parties

In the meantime, Barrie and Geraldine wait anxious, frustrated, and trapped in a bureaucratic maze that’s threatening to rob them not only of their peace of mind but their future home sale.

“All we want is a fair resolution,” said Barrie. “We’ve done our part. Now it’s up to City Power to do theirs.”

{Source: The Citizen}

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