The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) strongly condemns the Johannesburg Metro’s intention to force residents with prepaid meters who have invested in solar power to switch back to conventional meter readings and billing systems.
Should the ANC-led Metro administration proceed with this plan, it may be time to approach the courts.
This amounts to consumer sabotage and is yet another example of maladministration that harms the interests of law-abiding residents who loyally pay their accounts every month.
Thousands of Johannesburg residents have switched to solar energy at their own expense as a direct result of the Metro’s failure to reliably supply electricity.
Instead of encouraging innovation, self-reliance and reducing pressure on the electricity grid, the Metro now seeks to penalise these households through forced meter conversions, administrative obstacles, and potentially higher and unpredictable bills.
The Freedom Front Plus believes this policy is not driven by technical necessity, but by seizing control and revenue collection.
Prepaid meters offer consumers transparency and certainty, whereas postpaid billing in Johannesburg has a long history of inaccurate accounts, inflated amounts and unresolved disputes.
Forcing residents to revert to a dysfunctional billing system is, therefore, unacceptable.
This step also sends a dangerous message: residents who take responsibility for their own energy security will be punished, while municipal maladministration continues with impunity.
On the other hand, there are consumers who tamper with their meters to bypass the grid. The Metro is more than welcome to make them revert to old meters and monthly billing.
At a time when the Metro should be encouraging alternative energy solutions, it is doing the exact opposite.
The Freedom Front Plus implores the Johannesburg Metro to immediately abandon any plans to force solar users with prepaid meters to revert to postpaid systems.
Meaningful public consultation, clear justification and consumer protection should be prioritised.
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