The residents complained that the shambles in the water supply and metering system meant that accurate billing was impossible, resulting in widespread over-billing and chronic water shortages.
The municipality admitted that most of the billing accounts issued against the residents were inaccurate. Due to many water meter readings not being functional, the municipality was simply making estimates of what was due and owing.
South African National Civic Organisation v Capricorn District Municipality and Another 2013 (3) SA 225 (GNP)