City of Joburg billing system 'ready to run'

The City of Joburg's billing system is expected to be up and running this month after it was shut down in August.

The system was halted when it emerged that residents' invoices - containing private information, including names, addresses, account numbers, PIN codes and financial details - were easily accessible to outsiders.

Yesterday, Stan Maphologela, the city's acting director of communications and stakeholder management, said the system would start functioning this month.

Maphologela said extra security features had been added.

"As soon as there is certainty that the rollout of security features on the whole architecture is up to standard, the system will be running again," Maphologela said.

He said the e-service platform for customers who received their monthly statements via e-mail was operational.

City of Johannesburg's spokesman, Nthatisi Modingoane, said the municipality was pulling out all stops by implementing security measures to beef up the whole service platform. "The city is working around the clock and will keep residents informed of the developments," he said.

Customers are advised to visit other customer service centres around the city to pay their municipal accounts.