MyZA

News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff

You are here: Home / News / Do You Trust Eskom’s Smart Meter Management Program?

Do You Trust Eskom’s Smart Meter Management Program?

Dear Editor

  • The DA notes the public’s concerns and lack of trust regarding Eskom’s smart meter installation program.
  • We call for comprehensive public engagement and education on smart meters before their installation.
  • Including the public in the decision-making process will foster trust and ensure alignment with the needs of South Africans.

The DA recognises the concerns and lack of trust among the South African public regarding Eskom’s proposed R16 billion smart meter installation program. While we understand the need to recover at least 7 000MW into the grid and end load-shedding, it is inherently unfair that citizens are being made to pay the price for Eskom’s failures.

Eskom’s demand-management strategy, which includes the mandatory installation of smart power meters in every household in South Africa, represents a significant change in approach to address the issue of load-shedding. We acknowledge that load-shedding has been a tactic employed by Eskom to limit electricity supply based on generation capacity. However, the installation of smart meters and the remote control of geysers raise legitimate concerns about privacy, control, and the potential for abuse.

Minister of Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has confirmed that South Africans will not have a choice regarding the installation of these smart meters. This heavy-handed approach does not sit well with ordinary South Africans, who deserve a proper explanation of the reasons behind this initiative and its potential benefits.

The DA firmly believes that before any Municipality can start installing or throttling smart meters, there must be comprehensive public engagement and education on the issue. It is crucial that citizens understand the purpose, functionality, and implications of smart meters, allowing them to make informed decisions and voice their concerns.

We call on Eskom and the relevant authorities to initiate a robust public consultation process to address the genuine concerns and lack of trust surrounding the smart meter program. South Africans deserve an opportunity to engage with the decision-making process, ensuring that their voices are heard and their interests are taken into account.

The DA remains committed to holding Eskom accountable for its failures and advocating for a transparent and inclusive approach to addressing the country’s energy challenges. We believe that a different approach, centered on proper public engagement and education, will foster trust and ensure that the implementation of smart meters aligns with the needs and concerns of ordinary South Africans.

Regards

Samantha Graham-Maré MP
DA Shadow Minister of Electricity

Category: Tag:

If you feel strongly about this article then feel free to send MyZA a ‘Letter to the Editor’ using the submission form below:

Letter to the Editor

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
If this is in response to an article please include that article title here or as the lead in for the first paragraph of your Letter below.

Separate tags with commas

Localise your letter by naming the city your words are about. Add relevant words describing your subject. Single comma separated words of no more than 5
Your Name(Required)
Your Name will be linked to the website below.
Your personal, business or social media web site
Choose NO to not set up a user account on MyZA. User Accounts will allow you to submit letters under your own Author Name

3 Latest Letters to the Editor:

  • Fun South African fact

    Dear Editor Fun South African fact: towns like Franschhoek and Stellenbosch are home to world-class wine farms set in stunning, scenic surroundings. Regards Aressa Smith In Response to/From: Luxury Properties Seized in New Lottery Crackdown

  • Condolences on the Passing of Lusanda Dumke

    Statement by Leander Kruger MPL – DA Buffalo City Constituency Leader: The Democratic Alliance in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality mourns the passing of Springbok Women’s rugby player and Mdantsane trailblazer, Lusanda Dumke, who lost her battle with cancer at the age of 28. South Africa has lost an exceptional athlete, a leader, and a source…

  • Rape Kits Delivered, But…

    Statement by Nicholas Gotsell MP – DA NCOP Member on Security & Justice: The DA can confirm that 2 840 rape kits arrived in Cape Town on Monday, following sustained DA oversight and pressure after multiple police stations across the Western Cape were found to be without this critical forensic evidence tool. While this delivery…

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Fun South African Fact: South Africa hosts the world’s largest bicycle race.

  2. A Priest was seated next to Van Der Merwe on a flight to Brakpan.

    After the plane was airborne, drink orders were taken.

    Van Der Merwe asked for a Rum and Coke, which was brought and placed before him.

    The flight attendant then asked the priest if he would like a drink.

    He replied in disgust \”I\’d rather be savagely raped by a dozen whores than let liquor touch my lips.\”

    Van Der Merwe then handed his drink back to the attendant and said \”Me too, I didn\’t know we had a choice.\”