Inzalo UMS utilises a web-based application, MeterMan that integrates with multiple devices and caters to single or multiple fields that are easily loaded onto the system using a handheld device. The software fully integrates with any Geographic Information System (GIS) system and can supply GPS coordinates. If the GIS system is not readily accessible, it employs Google Earth’s spatial view to zone in on specified locations.
The software allows for the capturing of all error or exception reports and detailed reports can be generated from the platform. Meterman is NIA-compliant and has been and is successfully used at various municipalities around the country.
This process includes the systematical application of statistical and/or logical techniques to describe and illustrate, condense and recap, and evaluate data. Furthermore, through our experience with municipal data the categorization of debt is a critical component for the basis of any revenue enhancement strategy. The outcomes of this exercise informs on poor administration, infrastructure related anomalies affecting collection & the prioritization of resources to contain the municipal risks of unrecoverable debt and is structured, but not limited to include reports on prescribed debt, debt associated with deceased consumers, uncollectable debt and conversely highly recoverable debt.
Inzalo UMS perform a high-level assessment of the current processes by using diagnostic tools in order to obtain an understanding of the current processes within the revenue value chain. We obtain an understanding of the existing by-laws, policies and procedures followed in order to identify key focus areas requiring attention/refinement. A desktop analysis and reconciliation of the data will provide insight into how the business and management processes are being managed as well as validating key issues that may have already been identified. Key findings of this exercise include recommendations on unbilled services, incomplete billing records and inadequate consumer profiling. To further assist municipalities we offer a desk top debt book analysis which includes the scrubbing, analysis and categorization of all data on the Debtor Management System to give direction for efficient and coordinated debt collection and subsequent Indigent account identifications. The data and especially workable data become a critical component which directly affects the deliverables of such an exercise.
For accounts in arrears Inzalo UMS assists municipalities in the collection of arrears via our extensive credit control process. This process is software driven via our credit control software which is linked to the Billing System from where accounts are listed for credit control on a daily basis and includes the disruption of services to consumers.
Where consumers react with payments on arrears the services are normalised. In instances where there is no reaction to disruption of services we regularly investigate the installations for illegal connections and by-passes. In the absence of the latter the account is referred to the municipality as either indigent, in which case the respective indigent registration process is initiated or in the case of delinquent consumers the account would then be handed over for debt collection.
Indigents and the ability to manage service delivery to this sector is supported via policy content and the creation and maintenance of an Indigent Register to allow for Free Basic Services to indigents. Inzalo UMS can assist municipalities with the processes of the review and updating of Indigent Policy as well as establishing and maintaining a current Indigent Register.
The current Indigent Policies are reviewed by Inzalo UMS to ensure a framework and structure to support poverty alleviation and to ensure the provision of Free Basic Services where necessary.
This process leading up to an approved Indigent Register commences with registration of the indigent consumer, the electronic vetting of their financial status, the physical inspection of the consumers household and the recommendation on the consumers application via a comprehensive report to the municipality. This report includes our findings of either supporting the indigent application or where it is found that the consumer is able to honour the payments for municipal services, a recommendation from us that the municipality rejects the application. Once all the applications have been vetted and approved regular verifications by Inzalo UMS is performed to update the register.
Thembekile is the Communications and Public Relations Director of Inzalo Utility Systems. She received a BA(Hons) in Media, Communications and Cultural Studies from the University of Leeds in 2007. She has nine years of working experience in the Marketing and Communications field. Six years of her corporate experience has been in South Africa.
Sihle has a strong career in finance. He holds numerous tertiary qualifications, including an MBA, an Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting from the UK’s Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), a National Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting, a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance, as well as a Certificate in Business Management on Developing Counties from China’s Ministry of Commerce. A member of the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) and the international accounting body, Chartered Institute of Management Accounting (CIMA), Sihle is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Previously the Strategy and Business Development Executive at Sebata Group Holdings, he is now a shareholder and partner in Utility Systems.
Sbonelo has a BSc in Electronic Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Government, Business, and Ethics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. At present he is a PhD candidate at the University of Witwatersrand. He was a provincial budget analyst at the KZN Provincial Treasury for eight years before joining the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2013. After three years as Business Development Executive of Sebata Holdings, he now heads Inzalo Utility Systems as CEO.
Ruan is an admitted advocate and the current Managing Director of Inzalo UMS. He joined MICROmega in 2015 as Group Company Secretary and Legal Counsel. By 2018, he was appointed as CEO for Amanzi Meters and later as CEO for the Sebata Revenue Management division in the same year. Following the acquisition of IPES-Utility Management Services by Inzalo Utility Systems, Ruan now holds the position of Managing Director for the entity.
