The problems with the accounting system of the City of Johannesburg were laid bare by a damning judgment handed down in the High Court in Johannesburg in which a property owner claimed the city conjured up inflated, excessive and contrived "false actuals" for electricity charges.
An application by the city for summary judgment against MirAir Prop (Pty) Ltd, the owner of a property in Stormill Extension 3, for R1 677 739.34 in electricity charges, interest of 10.75% a year, and the costs of its court application was dismissed by Acting Judge Stephan van Nieuwenhuizen this month.
Van Nieuwenhuizen issued a punitive cost order against the city and granted Mir-Air leave to proceed with the conduct of its defence in the matter.
'Quantum' jumps
A verification affidavit by Tuwani Ngwana, the city legal adviser, said the quantum in ruling against the claim of R1 677 793.24 in respect of Mir-Air's liability for electricity as at 11 December 2023 had jumped from the original figure stated on the account number for the property to R4 447 841.07.
Mir-Air disputed the totality of the inflated, excessive and contrived electricity charges levied by the city on 17 August 2020.
The company said the city had raised additional charges, which it disputed and was indicative of the abysmal and chaotic state of the city's accounting system.
Mir-Air denied being indebted to the city for any amount under any purported account number raised or referred to by the city and claimed it was in credit of municipal charges/fees.
David Alistair Lang, a director of Mir-Air, said in an affidavit the city did not plead any period during which electricity was supplied to the property nor that electricity was supplied at all.
Bu hikaye The Citizen dergisinin October 30, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Citizen dergisinin October 30, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Scotland may be too brave
Scotland's 57-17 hiding handed to Fiji on Saturday has got all the fans up north excited about their team's prospects against the Springboks in Edinburgh this Sunday.
RECORD CHASERS
BUCS: HISTORY BECKONS IF THEY BEAT RICHARDS BAY
Jordan happier in No 10 jersey
Springbok utility back Jordan Hendrikse (below) is happy to fit in with the national team wherever he is needed, although he would prefer to feature in his main position at flyhalf.
Black Caps are 'taking on the world'
Mumbai - New Zealand batsman Daryl Mitchell hailed his side as \"a bunch of Kiwis taking on the world\" after their historic 3-0 Test series triumph in India.
Chawane hails early progress
Team captain Khanyisa Chawane (above) is pleased with the early progress shown by the Proteas netball squad under new leadership.
'Insane' Max is nudging closer
BRAZIL: ONE OF THE GREATEST WET WEATHER DRIVES
Amorim is turning to red-hot striker Gyokeres
Lisbon - Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim is relying on red-hot striker Viktor Gyokeres (right) to land a blow on future rivals Manchester City, in his final Champions League match at the helm today.
Barca keep on soaring higher
Barcelona - Dani Olmo (above) scored twice on his first start back from injury as Barcelona beat local rivals Espanyol 3-1 on Sunday to move nine points clear at the top of La Liga.
A 'beautiful challenge'
ALONSO: FORMER LIVERPOOL STAR RETURNS TO ANFIELD WITH LEVERKUSEN
Mngqithi shrugs off 'favourites' tag
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi (right) has dismissed his side's \"favourites\" tag after knocking Kaizer Chiefs out of the Carling Knockout on Saturday.