I refer to the article of January 11, “All residents to get prepaid electrical meters”.
It is a pity that Themba Gadebe is so vague about the meter introduction for the Ekurhuleni Metro.
Would Gadebe please advise the anticipated approximate start date and if the project will be completed by suburb or otherwise.
Also, to please confirm the cost, if any, or if the meters are free to all.
Further, do residents have to apply at all, or will the fitting be done in some controlled manner with a pre-fitment advice/warning to residents?
If, as stated, the tariffs for prepaid vouchers are exactly the same as those for the conventional meters with regards to kilowatt/hour costs, it would result in a much improved and accurate system.
For, if the truth be known, the contracted meter readers do not visit homes and record the meter numbers and if they do, it is only now and then.
Anonymous Pensioner, Brackenhurst.
Themba Gadebe, EMM spokesperson, responded as follows:
A project to replace outdated electro-mechanical electricity meters with prepayment meters commenced several years back.
One of the main objectives is to deal with inaccessible meters where readings cannot be obtained on a regular basis by our appointed meter readers. These inaccessible meters are normally situated inside a stand (behind closed gates) and in some older city areas, even inside the home. This often makes it impossible for a meter reader to obtain regular readings, or any readings at all. The result of this is an “interim” reading, where a reading is estimated on the historical consumption of that meter.
Given the above complexities, and the urgent need to improve on meter reading where it is needed most, the prepayment roll-out project does not necessarily follow a house-to-house approach, where every house in an area is completed in one project. That said, depending on the local area grid, it could also follow a house-to-house roll-out, where every house in a street will receive a prepayment meter. The project, therefore, follows a process that sees the maximum number of meters changed, based on resources and budget allocations. At the current rate, it is estimated that the city-wide project will be completed in the next five years.
The meters come free of charge to customers, as a means towards improving our service in measuring electricity consumed. The city has almost a quarter of a million prepayment customers enjoying the benefit of a keypad inside their homes or business, where consumption can be visually monitored.
Please note that, with emphasis on the word “free”, no payment of any nature should be made to an official or contractor.
Residents will always receive the details of the project, and importantly, contact numbers of city officials involved and the city’s contractors appointed to install these meters, on an official EMM letterhead. Contact the officials listed should you require more information or wish to confirm that this is not part of an illegal activity.
Residents are welcome to also apply for a prepayment meter and if this installation resolves an existing meter reading problem, the prepayment meter will be installed free of charge. If there is no metering, or account problem, we may have to levy an amount as contained in our schedule of electricity tariffs, payable only in a rates hall, with an official computer generated receipt.
Finally, existing and future prepayment meter users are urged not to participate in any illegal activities around the meters measuring their consumption. Meters do receive site visits, based on business intelligence software indicators. Despite false assurances given by professional meter tampering criminals, you are bound to end up in a no-win situation. This will lead to severe financial penalties and a strong probability of criminal charges.
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