09/07/2026
Turns out, "estimated" shouldn't mean "imagination." ⚖️⚡
A client approached our firm after South Africa's most famous practitioner of "planned darkness" disconnected her power and presented her with an electricity account exceeding R270 000.00.
There was one problem.
The numbers simply didn't make sense.
The account reflected extraordinary consumption, inconsistent billing periods, unexplained adjustments, estimated readings, and charges that appeared to pre-date our client's ownership of the property.
Rather than accepting "that's just how the system works," we demanded answers.
When those answers weren't forthcoming, we approached the High Court.
The Court ordered the utility to produce a comprehensive and properly reconciled account.
The result?
✅ Alleged arrears reduced from more than R270 000.00 to R13 685.52.
✅ A reduction of over R256 000.00.
✅ A costs order in our client's favour.
This case serves as an important reminder that invoices issued by large institutions are not beyond scrutiny. Consumers are entitled to accurate billing, proper reconciliations, and administrative action that is lawful, reasonable, and procedurally fair.
Sometimes the most powerful question a lawyer can ask is simply:
"Please show us how you arrived at that figure."
Because when accountability is demanded, the numbers often tell a very different story.
Every matter turns on its own facts, but if something doesn't add up, it deserves to be questioned.