Tshwane Municipality blames technical error for 'double billing' 11,000 customers for cleansing levy

A technical error has resulted in the Tshwane Municipality "double billing" over 11,000 customers for the controversial city cleansing levy.

The municipality has assured the error has been rectified and the affected customers will be credited in their statements at the end of the month.

Earlier this year, the municipality introduced a monthly tariff of R194 charged to businesses and residential homes that use private waste collectors.

The tariff was ruled unlawful by the Gauteng High Court, however, the city has now approached the Supreme Court of Appeal to overturn that decision. 

Meanwhile, properties that already pay for municipal waste collection services through body corporates have also complained of being billed for the city's cleansing levy.

Municipal spokesperson Lindela Mashigo: "Following a detailed technical review and verification exercise, the system has now been reprogrammed to ensure that cleansing charges are only applied to properties that do not receive municipal waste collection services."