Mandela threatened over $660 fake utilities bill

Former President Nelson Mandela, now recuperating in a Pretoria hospital was slammed with a $660 utilities bill for his Johannesburg home by the City Council. Officials even threatened to cut water and electricity supply to the upmarket home.

But it turned out, the bill to the African icon was misdirected. It was not Mandela’s.

“The address and account number stated on the notice belong to another customer and property in a neighbouring suburb, not to the Mandela residence,” said city spokesman Kgamanyane Maphologela.

The notice threatened “discontinuation or restriction of services” and legal action if the 30-day arrears were not paid, local media Eyewitness News reported.

With Mandela receiving treatment in a Pretoria hospital since June 8, the slip left the city council red-faced.

But it is not the first time an errant bill has embarrased the city.

Last month a bill for over 3.5 million rand ($355,000, 270,000 euros) was erroneously sent to the African National Congress party headquarters.