Johannesburg - The City of Johannesburg has apologised for incorrectly delivering an arrears ultimatum to former president Nelson Mandela's home in Houghton.
“The city wants to convey an apology to the Mandela family for any inconvenience caused by this unfortunate incident,” spokesman Kgamanyane Maphologela said on Monday.
He said city officials had gone to apologise to the family and the children's foundation.
Earlier, a copy of the pre-termination notice was posted on Eyewitness News's (EWN) website. Dated August 1, the notice stated that R6468.48 was outstanding. It advised that the amount had been outstanding for more than 30 days and warned that if it was not paid, or an arrangement was not made to pay it, “discontinuation or restriction of services” would follow, as well as possible legal action.
EWN reported that the notice was delivered over the weekend.
The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory spokesman Sello Hatang insisted the delivery of the notice was incorrect. Maphologela confirmed this.
“The city of Johannesburg confirms that the pre-termination notice which was sent to the Mandela residence was incorrectly delivered. The address and account number stated on the notice belongs to another customer and property in a neighbouring suburb, not to the Mandela residence.”
Maphologela said customer data was being updated and occasional errors could occur. He apologised to customers who might have had a similar experience.
Mandela is spending his 59th day at the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria after being admitted on June 8 with a recurring lung infection.
The presidency said his condition was still critical but stable.
Sapa