A Lenasia man is trying to get back R 200,000 from the City of Johannesburg after a fatal slip of the finger when making an internet payment.

Tishor Daya had been trying since November to get a refund, after making the mistake while doing his internet banking. The R200 000 payment was meant for the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market, but was instead made on the rates account for a property in Ormonde where Daya's daughter lives.

Daya said, "It is very frustrating. It has put me into financial difficulty. I am running on an overdraft, which is expensive, and I have no hope of getting any interest from the city. This is a large amount to be sitting idle in the city's accounts," he told The Star newspaper. "I have tried since November to get this money back, but the council is making it very difficult.”

“I have even been to the Lenasia people’s centre, as well as to the council offices, many times, and they keep promising to refund the money, but it never happens. Every time I phone, they come up with new requirements," he added.

Daya has already produced affidavits, proof of payment and written permission from his daughter to take the money out of her rates account.

The city's revenue department spokesperson Stan Mapholohela said: “With a large amount like this, it could have bounced, so we need absolute proof it has been paid into our account.”