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In response to assisting Joburg ratepayers, the City of Johannesburg, in line with the mayoral priority of a smart city, has included the ability for ratepayers to input their own meter readings via eJoburg, the City's online self-help portal. The eJoburg online portal allows customers to view their municipal statements, pay accounts, and manage their accounts independently in the comfort of home, office or wherever they find themselves.

The eJoburg platform brings convenience to the people of Joburg, affording ratepayers and customers the ability to electronically interact with the City using a computer, mobile phone or tablet, saving themselves time and money by reducing trips to our walk-in centres. The new development enables ratepayers to electronically capture their water and electricity meter readings, which CoJ can use to create the customer's final monthly bill. This "smart" service is in a bid to reduce the frustration experienced by our customers.

Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for the City of Johannesburg responsible for Finance and Group Information Communication Technology (GICT), Cllr Julie Suddaby, explained that the City has clearly defined plans and goals to make the City "smart".

"As part of these initiatives, the City continues to build online services where our residents can interact with the City directly, manage their municipal accounts and access city services.", Suddaby added. "We understand this platform might not be for you, but if you are someone who doesn't have much time or prefers to be able to manage your account, then please register for eJoburg."

To submit meter readings online, please register on eJoburg by visiting the City's website: www.joburg.org.za and clicking on the eJoburg icon, then follow the easy steps.

Customers who are registered on eJoburg will receive an SMS notification each time the system opens for the submission of meter readings. Your meter photo submission needs to occur by a specific date reflected on your account. 

"While the City is accepting submitted meter readings, our customers should note that the City is conducting regular audits of all meter readings to ensure accuracy and correctness of the bill and corresponding property details," said MMC Suddaby.

Customers are notified to be aware that the intelligence is built into the system to monitor against declaring inaccurate meter readings, and the City is confident that this service will incrementally improve the billing accuracy as more and more customers use the system.

Ratepayers are advised to register on eJoburg to access all the self-help facilities such as 24-hour access to statements, updating contact details as and when they change and most importantly, making payments on time when the account is due.

Issued by the MMC Finance, Cllr Julie Suddaby