There have been numerous complaints aired on Cape Talk about the stringent requirements applied to customers wishing to renew their car licences. Either due to disinterest, stupidity, negligence or plain apathy, the requirements differ between council payment offices. There is little consistency. Some need new FICA documents each time, even within the same year, others turn down a Telkom or mobile phone company invoice as proof of address, the (new) card payment system goes off line and your 75 min wait in the queue is fruitless. Even on-line, as I discovered, you cannot apply to renew two cars that have the same licence expiry at the same time, even though they are on the same profile. The actual office that send out payment instructions do not take phone calls
The worst one I have experienced recently is getting electricity re-connected to a house I have renovated. Power was cut in July 2016 and the electricity department guys actually came around and snipped the 4 wires from the pole. Upon applying for a connection, I am told that there is R12300 odd outstanding for arrears for a supply between July and 1st March (no invoices were received). Telling them it is not possible since the wires were cut and quoting the (council) work order number cut no ice. The bolshy supervisor told me it is incumbent on me to prove that there has been no connection. They will send out an inspector to verify it, on payment of a R1750 fee. I paid this on 3rd March and am still waiting. In the meantime, the builder and other contractors cannot continue
The worst one I have experienced recently is getting electricity re-connected to a house I have renovated. Power was cut in July 2016 and the electricity department guys actually came around and snipped the 4 wires from the pole. Upon applying for a connection, I am told that there is R12300 odd outstanding for arrears for a supply between July and 1st March (no invoices were received). Telling them it is not possible since the wires were cut and quoting the (council) work order number cut no ice. The bolshy supervisor told me it is incumbent on me to prove that there has been no connection. They will send out an inspector to verify it, on payment of a R1750 fee. I paid this on 3rd March and am still waiting. In the meantime, the builder and other contractors cannot continue
