Here we have six different sections. Property Rates, Electricity, Water & Sanitation, Refuse, Sundries and Current Charges.
Property Rates (12) shows you what your basic municipal rates will be for the month, determined by the size, location and value of your property.
Electricity (13) shows how much you owe for electricity used and Water & Sanitation (14) shows how much you owe for usage and services rendered. Both of these detail how many kWh and Kl you have used, as well as the rate per unit.
Of course, Refuse Removal needs to be paid, and this can be found at (15).
Finally, at (16) you will find the total amount due for these services – and this amount should correspond to the Current Amount due on the first page.
We've used an invoice by the City of Johannesburg because it is one of the best. The information is precise and laid out in a clear way. Easy to understand.
Other invoices, such as those issued by the Matjhabeng, Amathole, eMalahleni or Msunduzi municipalities are often an absolute nightmare to decipher. They're unclear, jumbled, convoluted and idiotic, with a bunch of abbreviations nobody understands.
So, it's easy to become confused. But – if you familiarise yourself with the examples above, the others are a lot easier to comprehend. All you need is patience. A lot of patience.