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Gerber, Liza LINDEN: black contractor cuts off electricity says I WANT TO WASH YOUR BACK
Linden resident Mrs Liza Gerber can prove that all her electricity bills are paid up in full - yet a black contractor from City Power in Johannesburg showed up, cut off her electricity access, and told her rudely that he 'wanted to wash her back'.
The racist row erupted after the black contractor - who refused to supply his name - ran her front door bell on Tuesday and said he was ordered to cut off her electricity. Mrs Gerber runs a beauty-salon on the premises. Her housekeeper Joyce Seane told the contractor Mrs Gerber was taking a bath. When Gerber, 58, threw on a wrap and rushed to the front door, he sneered: 'sorry I am so late, I could have washed your back.' Mrs Gerber said the housekeeper also heard the remark and both women were furious.
She showed the man her bills and invoices proving she'd paid them all six days earlier on 12 January.
He still went ahead and cut off their electricity access, she said.
She blames the problem on the 'chaotic billing proceedings at the city of Johannesburg. The last time anyone came to read her meter was six months ago and her bills are all grossly inaccurate, she said. After her electricity was cut off, she also struggled to reach the complaints-number: it took her three hours. "They keep cutting you off so you have to replace your call,' she said.
Joburg city spokesman Kgamanyane Maphologela claimed he 'couldn't investigate until he knew the name of the contractor'.
* City Power's complaint-line is 0800002587. It's not free. http://www.beeld.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Sny-krag-af-nadat-hy-se-Ek-wil-jou-rug-was-20110124