Watloo Butchery Operational as R900 000 Billing Error Gets Resolved

Watloo Meat and Butchery, located next to the Rustenburg taxi rank, remains operational following confusion over a R900 000 billing error in the Rustenburg Local Municipality billing system.

Watloo’s Fatima Melim confirmed that the business is open and trading, despite social media reports suggesting it had been closed down by municipal officials. Fatina explained that an error in the municipal billing system had caused confusion, resulting in financial loss and damage to the butchery’s reputation.

On Wednesday, officials from the Municipality visited Watloo Meat and Butchery next to Rustenburg taxi rank as part of their City At Work campaign to recover outstanding municipal debts. Fatima, however, disputed claims that the business was closed, stating that while officials cut off their electricity, they continued operations using a generator while engaging the Municipality to resolve the matter.

“The shop was never closed – it was a misunderstanding,” said Fatima. “We pay our rates and services regularly. We don’t understand how the Municipality arrived at this R900 000 figure because our understanding is that the money owed is far less.”

Rustenburg Local Municipality Municipal Manager, Adv. Ashmar Khuduge, said the City At Work campaign is aimed at shutting down illegal businesses and enforcing compliance across the city. However, Fatina accused municipal officials of acting without confirming correct facts before disconnecting their electricity supply.

Watloo Meat and Butchery has assured its customers that it remains open for business while they continue engagements to resolve the dispute.