Xavier Radio Ug News 24 7
Power utility, Eskom, says the new electricity smart meter system aims to modernise the electricity network and prevent illegal connections and theft.
This comes after Orange Farms residents, south of Johannesburg, picketed outside Eskom premises demanding the stopping of the installation of smart meters at their homes, saying the high tariffs are unaffordable and that they were not consulted about the project.
The power utility’s Gauteng spokesperson, Amanda Qithi, says residents were fully consulted before the implementation of the project.
“These meters enable customers to have better visibility and control over their electricity usage, allowing for more effective management of consumption. It is important to note that the new meters do not increase the electricity tariffs as tariffs are determined and approved by NERSA”, she says.
Meanwhile, some residents of Orange Farms, south of Johannesburg, are calling for the immediate halting of a project to install smart meters at their homes.
Residents picketed outside Eskom offices, raising concerns that they cannot afford the high electricity tariffs experienced since the installation of the new smart meters, and that Eskom did not consult them when implementing the multi-million rand project.
Many are still using illegally connected electricity meter boxes.
Themba Maseko, one of the residents paying for their electricity, says they are made to suffer because of non-paying customers.
“The main issue is that they must replace all the meters in the orange farm. They are replacing the meters of the people who are paying. Those who are not paying, they are still not paying, and Eskom uses them as an excuse, saying we have load shedding because others don’t buy. People of the Orange Farm are saying we want to buy electricity like everybody.”
Related video | KwaNdebele residents push back against Eskom smart meters
www.sabcnews.com, https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/1115717-2/
