Rajesh Sahadeo with councillor, Dr Jonathan Annipen.
Image: Supplied
After a shocking R1.4 million water bill, Phoenix resident Rajesh Sahadeo feels relief after the account was reversed following intervention from IFP councillor Dr Jonathan Annipen.
The unemployed 54-year-old, who resides in Stonebridge, said he received the inflated account last November - days after being discharged from hospital following a heart attack.
“I had just come home from hospital after one of the most frightening experiences of my life. I was still weak, still trying to recover physically and emotionally. Then I opened my municipal statement and saw R1.4 million for water. I thought it was a mistake. I checked it again and again. I couldn’t believe it,” said Sahadeo.
After surviving a heart attack, the last thing I needed was that kind of shock. I didn’t sleep properly for days. I kept asking myself how I could possibly owe that amount when I am unemployed and living modestly. It was terrifying."
He then approached Ward 48 councillor Annipen for assistance.
Upon reviewing the account, Annipen described the amount as “grossly irregular”.
“There is no conceivable way that an ordinary household could legitimately incur R1.4 million in water charges within a normal billing cycle. The figures were clearly abnormal and required immediate investigation,” said Annipen.
He said he formally requested the city conduct an urgent audit of the account, including a full consumption analysis, meter verification, billing history review, and system reconciliation to determine how such an excessive charge was generated.
“Municipal billing must be accurate, fair, and transparent. Where there is a discrepancy of this magnitude, it is not simply a clerical issue. This becomes a serious financial and emotional consequence for the resident concerned.”
He said vulnerable residents, particularly those facing medical and financial hardship, must not be subjected to administrative errors that compound their distress.
Annnipen said the account was audited and subsequently adjusted.
"The erroneous charges were reversed."
He said while the matter had been resolved, it raised broader concerns about systemic billing irregularities that occasionally affected residents.
“This case demonstrates the importance of oversight and accountability within municipal billing systems. Errors can and do occur, but what is critical is how swiftly and transparently they are addressed. Residents should never feel powerless when confronted with unexplained charges.”
He encouraged residents to scrutinise their municipal statements each month and to report anomalies immediately.
“Do not ignore irregularities. Engage your councillor or the relevant municipal department without delay. The sooner the matter is escalated, the sooner it can be corrected."
Sahadeo said when he was told the charges had been corrected: "I felt like a heavy weight had been lifted off my shoulders."