Tshwane Defends R4bn Revenue Amid Double-Billing Accusations

Tshwane Defends R4bn Revenue Amid Double-Billing Accusations

City blames system glitch for billing chaos as opposition cries foul

The City of Tshwane is once again under the spotlight, this time over claims of double billing. The controversy erupted shortly after the city proudly announced that it had surpassed R4 billion in revenue collections for October.

While officials framed the figure as proof of financial recovery, opposition leaders claim it’s a smokescreen, one propped up by erroneous and unfair waste collection charges that have left thousands of residents fuming.

R4 billion milestone sparks backlash

Tshwane’s deputy mayor and MMC for finance, Eugene Modise, called the city’s performance a sign of “resilience and strategic foresight.” According to him, collections exceeded the city’s funding plan target by R19.5 million, hitting 101.3% of the projected outcome.

But critics are not impressed. The DA’s Cilliers Brink, who has long been vocal about the city’s financial management, accused the administration of inflating its success with faulty billing practices.

“The record levels of revenue collected by the Tshwane metro in October are largely based on rampant double billing for waste collection and city cleansing,” Brink said.

He warned that if the courts overturn the so-called city cleansing levy, Tshwane could be forced to write back millions, effectively undoing much of its reported financial progress.

The city blames a technical glitch

In response, Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo acknowledged that 11,862 municipal accounts were incorrectly billed due to a “technical misconfiguration” in the city’s billing system.

“The error caused cleansing charges to be applied to properties that don’t receive municipal waste collection services,” Mashigo explained.

According to the city, the issue has since been fixed following a comprehensive technical review. The billing system has been reprogrammed to prevent future errors, and credit reversals are already being processed.

“Customers will see the reversals reflected in their November statements,” Mashigo assured, adding that credit adjustments are being issued in batches through the end of the month.

A familiar frustration for residents

For Tshwane residents, the issue strikes a familiar chord. Many have spent years grappling with erratic billing, metering disputes, and unexplained municipal charges. Social media platforms are buzzing with complaints, some residents expressing relief that the error is being addressed, while others remain skeptical.

“This isn’t the first time they’ve called it a glitch,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Funny how the mistakes always seem to cost us more, not less.”

Coalition government looks to rebound

Despite the controversy, the city’s coalition government is pressing ahead with its broader economic recovery plans. MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning Sarah Mabotsa recently unveiled a list of city-owned assets being released for long-term investment and redevelopment.

Among the properties up for bid are the Pretoria Showgrounds, ODI Stadium Precinct in Mabopane, and industrial properties in Rosslyn. The initiative is aimed at attracting R17 to R26 billion in new investment and creating at least 80,000 jobs by 2029.

“This is about rebuilding confidence not just in the city’s economy, but in its ability to manage itself responsibly,” Mabotsa said.

A test of trust and transparency

The double-billing saga lands at a critical time for the capital. With service delivery challenges mounting and political coalitions under strain, public trust in the city’s financial systems is fragile.

While the administration insists that the problem was purely technical and now resolved, opposition leaders say it highlights deeper issues in governance, accountability, and oversight.

For residents still waiting for corrected statements, the real test won’t be in Tshwane’s spreadsheets, it will be in whether their next bill finally adds up.

{Source: The Citizen}

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