1. Mrs L C Pretorius  (a widower, born 03 April 1934)is registered for social welfare since October 2010. She was not aware that the social grant for her account has expired and only learnt of this when she queried her account. She then was told to renew it in Johannesburg as the Roodepoort offices does not have the facilities to do it anymore. She does not drive far distances any more and is reliant on other means of transport. 
She renewed the social grant in August (201029436309840.25) and the gentleman there told her to pay only for the consumption on the account. 

The accounts do not reflect the grants at all. 

After several visits to the municipality I made contact with a social worker Kefilwe who works with the Siyasizana Expanded Social Packages. Proof of the above mentioned renewal was emailed to her and on her investigation it was discovered that the Municipality should indeed rebate her /- R3000. Her power was cut last month and on enquiry we were told that it takes 3 months for the grant and rebates to be effective. She received her bill yesterday and again it is not fixed. She now owes R 2314 which include the cut off fee of R601.
please help. 
Naomi, daughter

2. Water got cut off on wednesday morning 11:30. We have faxed proof of payments to the City of Johannesburg on Wednesday morning 09:00. We have phoned everyday since Wednesday to find out when they are going to reconnect the water and they informed us that it will take 4 to 72 hours. Six days later, 5 phone calls a day and we still dont have water.

3. Upon completing the purchase of an apartment in December 2010, I was told by City of Johannesburg that a new account would be opened in my name within 3 months of the deed of transfer going through. The deed of transfer went through on 7 December 2010, but I still do not have an account.
The buck was initially passed around, sending me from person to person. Now I am simply told that "Your query is being escalated." I have waited in queues and spent hours on the phone, only to have that told to me. 

The lack of service at the customer 'service' centres is a disgrace, and not being able to contact the rates department directly to lodge complaints creates a problem too because I never know if my queries are actually being forwarded to them.

What does one have to do to simply have a new account opened in their name?   

0r Why I think Johannesburg is Uniquely Great to Live In!