DISSATISFIED & UNFAIR TREATMENT -

I have an unsatisfying issue with the “housing” division of Sibanye Stillwater Driefontein.

My mother’s house electricity got switched off on Monday 1st July, just before lunch time.

She called and notifies me of this incident, I then called Lapies to understand what was going on.

Lapies explained that my mother owed a bill worth R12 226.30. This was never once explained to my mother after she resigned from the mine that she would be taking over, how much on a monthly she would pay/be billed or where she would even need to pay for utilities going forward. None of this was done.

Lapies claimed that they had been sending letters, but we never received any letter from them or any email for that matter.

I questioned Lapies how we got that bill because my mother was given an additional housing “allowance” after she retired for 3 months.

She then decided to buy the house as opposed to moving out. No one ever said anything about utilities being moved to her.

I am not disputing her paying for utilities, just not when my mother was never made aware of anything then boom she’s sitting on a R12k+ bill.

Can we please look into this as it’s not entirely her fault for things to get to this extent. We were then referred to Joseph and he confirmed that she was over billed but he needs to investigate/look into it.

Today marks 3 weeks of her in the cold with no basic need (Electricity). We called and asked if her power could be restored whilst Joseph is busy looking into this matter but it was declined.

My mother and father both worked and served for this company (Sibanye) for years to be honestly treated like this.

She’s very sickly, on chronic medication and has been without electricity in this cold for the past 16 days and she’s unable to even make a mere meal.

We are unable to call as the number is always “engaged “ or not answered. We personally drove there on the 10th of July and found the gates closed with no notice.

We’ve also asked that her electricity be restored until the investigation is complete then we can make arrangements but it was refused, and what grounds I am not sure. This is totally wrong and unacceptable.

Can this matter be resolved urgently, I ask. 

Thank you