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Looking for a Prepaid Electricity Meter Installer in Gqeberha Straton Electrical INSTALLS. Straton Prepaid supplies prepaid meters all over South Africa BUT only physically installs through Straton Electrical or Straton Plumbing in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal area (Gqeberha – formerly Port Elizabeth, Kariega – formerly Uitenhage and Despatch). This list given below is as […]
Looking for a Prepaid Electricity Meter Installer in Kariega Straton Electrical INSTALLS. Straton Prepaid supplies prepaid meters all over South Africa BUT only physically installs through Straton Electrical or Straton Plumbing in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal area (Gqeberha – formerly Port Elizabeth, Kariega – formerly Uitenhage and Despatch). This list given below is as […]
As part of its week-long oversight to Gauteng, the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy held a meeting that brought together key stakeholders which included Eskom, National Treasury, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), on the growing municipal electricity debt crisis, which has escalated to nearly R100 billion.
The aim of the meeting was to find solutions on the pressing challenges affecting municipalities' ability to meet their financial obligations and sustain electricity. The committee emphasised the seriousness of the situation, noting that the escalating municipal debt affects not only Eskom's financial stability but also the delivery of essential services to millions of South Africans.
During the discussions over 160 municipalities were classified as financially distressed, with 98 of them operating on unfunded budgets in the 2024/2025 financial year, 7 of them participating in the Municipal Debt Relief Program, and 14 of them have successfully met the conditions required for debt relief and write-offs.
The committee stressed that the municipal electricity debt crisis requires collaboration and decisive action from all levels of government and stakeholders. The committee said the crisis poses a significant risk to service delivery and the livelihoods of millions of South Africans. Members of the committee said the time of pointing fingers is over, the time calls for collaborative solutions and long-term reforms.
Eskom highlighted that the municipal arrears increased from R74 billion in March 2024 to R98.5 billion by February 2025, with significant growth in debt attributable to provinces like Free State and Mpumalanga. Eskom expressed grave concerns about the implications of this trend on its financial sustainability, noting that the gains from the debt relief program aimed at reducing its overall debt from R400 billion to R250 billion could be neutralised within three years if the rising municipal debt trajectory is not curtailed.
Eskom emphasised that as part of solutions to address the electricity debt crisis, funds collected from customers by the municipalities are prioritised to settle bulk electricity accounts before being used for other municipal expenses.
National Treasury underscored its efforts to enforce fiscal discipline through several interventions, including withholding equitable share allocations to defaulting municipalities under Section 216(2) of the Constitution. Treasury reported that equitable share allocations for several municipalities were withheld to compel them to address their financial management failures.
Despite these measures, Treasury acknowledged that entrenched dysfunctionality in many municipalities continues to undermine progress. Treasury also highlighted that only a fraction of the 10 million indigent households identified in the census are benefitting from the Free Basic Electricity grant due to inefficiencies in municipal administration, leaving millions of impoverished South Africans without critical energy support.
COGTA and SALGA shared insights into the structural and operational inefficiencies that have crippled municipalities. These include weak governance, lack of capacity, inadequate enforcement of revenue collection measures, and outdated infrastructure. COGTA noted that the absence of energy master plans and failure to maintain accurate indigent registers have compounded the crisis.
SALGA highlighted that the overly fragmented approach to addressing municipal debt must be replaced with integrated capacity-building programs, including technical assistance for cost-reflective tariffs and improved revenue collection systems.
The committee also heard that smart metring solutions have shown promising results in improving revenue collection, with pilot projects recovering millions of rands in previously uncollected funds. National Treasury announced that an additional R650 million would be allocated in the next financial year to expand smart metering programs to targeted municipalities. These interventions aim to enhance overall efficiency and ensure timely payment of bulk electricity accounts.
The meeting further explored the critical role of legislative reform in tackling these issues. Eskom and other stakeholders called for adjustments to the Electricity Regulation Act to enable more proactive credit control measures. The committee also noted concerns about the affordability of electricity tariffs and the long-standing need to increase the FBE grant threshold to meet the growing needs of indigent households.
Members of the committee pointed out that sustainability solutions must balance immediate interventions with long-term reforms. Furthermore, the committee stressed the need for an all-of-government approach to address the systemic nature of the challenges faced. The committee recommended the establishment of a dedicated Municipal Recovery Task Team comprising Eskom, National Treasury, COGTA, SALGA, and other relevant stakeholders. This task team will focus on implementing and monitoring solutions, including measures to improve governance, enhance collections, introduce prepaid systems for bulk electricity, and address legislative barriers.
The committee commended Eskom, National Treasury, COGTA, and SALGA for their continued commitment to resolving this crisis. However, the committee emphasised that municipalities must take greater responsibility for reversing the current trajectory.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
City Power officials chased away by angry group
President pays tribute to MTN
President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to telecommunications provider MTN for transforming the lives of millions of people in the country and across the continent of Africa.
“In countries like South Africa, MTN has sought to ensure that no one is left behind. Its network reaches some 97% of the population, providing a foundation for digital inclusion and economic empowerment,” the President said on Friday in Johannesburg.
Addressing MTN’s 30 years celebration gala dinner, President Ramaphosa said over the past three decades, MTN has evolved from a small South African start-up of 20 employees into a global telecommunications leader which now employs over 17 500 individuals representing more than 70 nationalities across 18 diverse markets.
“The mobile sector in Sub-Saharan Africa generated more than US$140 billion of economic value last year. MTN is a big part of this growth story.
“The group provides voice, data, fintech, digital, enterprise, wholesale and API services to 288 million customers in 18 markets. MTN Mobile Money provides over 65 million individuals with access to financial services, driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment in underserved communities,” the President said.
He acknowledged the telecommunications industry for helped to democratise public goods and services.
“It has enabled the provision of financial, health, education, social welfare and other service to the most far-flung areas. At the time of the transition towards democracy in the early 1990s, South Africa was among the most connected nations on the continent with over 3 million landlines.
“Yet, as in almost every other area of life, access to telephony was severely unequal. At the time, there were 60 telephone lines for every 100 white people. There was only one line for every 100 black people.
“In these circumstances, it took visionaries like the late Dr Nthato Motlana and Zwelakhe Sisulu to see the potential of mobile technology to close this gap,” the President said.
South Africa cellphone companies reached a million subscribers within two years.
“This spectacular growth was spurred by innovations such as prepaid, which South Africa was to introduce to the global community. It was in this early period that the foundation for MTN’s unique culture was laid.
“It is a culture that is characterised by resilience, adaptability and a relentless drive to succeed. MTN’s many employees are united by a shared belief in the transformative power of technology.
“Distance is no longer the impediment it had once been. Services can be delivered more cheaply and more reliably. Very soon after its introduction, the cellphone became an important tool for social cohesion,” the President said.
He said the cellphone helped to strengthen bonds between communities, family members and friends.
“This new frontier of economic and social transformation has, in the main, been driven by the youth of our continent. The industry is a case study of how young Africans can drive innovation and growth. On this anniversary, we salute the early pioneers and all those who have since been at the forefront of leading Africa’s digital progress,” the President said.
He said MTN has consistently encouraged and supported government’s efforts to strengthen trade and investment ties with other countries.
“It has been generous in sharing its experiences and insights of different markets. As MTN looks to its future, we are certain that it will make use of the great opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“There are few companies in South Africa that know the African continent better than MTN. We trust that it will forge a path that many others can follow.
“As we work to improve the lives of the people of South Africa, we know that we can rely on the ingenuity, the industry and the commitment of the MTN team to support these efforts. As we look to a future of peace, prosperity and hope, we should embrace the MTN clarion call of ‘doing for tomorrow, today,” the President said. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Sun, 12/01/2024 - 15:02
Eskom hails meter upgrade project as a success
With Eskom hailing the completion of its pre-paid meter upgrade project as a success, the power utility has requested the approximately 1.7 million “zero buyers” to upgrade their meters before the deadline.
“The result of this technology changeover has brought Eskom around 400 000 previous zero buyers to become new paying customers and provided us with a wealth of data to bring further zero buyers into legitimately purchasing electricity,” Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane said on Wednesday during a media briefing in Cape Town.
All prepayment meters have to be upgraded to the Key Revision Number version 2 (KRN 2) as the STS technology for prepayment meters will stop accepting new credit tokens. This is due to the expiry of these vending codes.
This will mean they will stop dispensing electricity after the existing credit is used up, thus making the meter inactive.
“Eskom has successfully completed its pre-paid meter Key Revision Number (KRN) rollover project. Starting off with a customer base of 6.91 million prepaid customers, all customers have been converted to KRN 2.
“A data cleaning exercise fully updated the incomplete details of 341 000 customers to bring Eskom’s base to 7.25 million. As of 24 November 2024, approximately 5.5 million customers (which includes the around 400 000 zero buyers, who have become paying customers) have successfully rolled over and are transacting on KRN 2.
“Eskom is currently observing a decrease in the zero buyer numbers to around 1.7 million from the previous 12-month rolling average of 2.1 million. We request these customers to do what is right by Friday, 13 December 2024, by visiting their nearest Eskom sites,” the power utility said.
Eskom said all paying customers who had bought electricity before the deadline and have had their meters made KRN 2 compliant and who are experiencing difficulty will be assisted to complete the process and will not be unfairly penalised.
These customers are advised to use Alfred the chatbot, Eskom Contact Centre: Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and WhatsApp.
“For those zero buyers who bought electricity before the deadline and were unable to load their meters, they must bring their slips/tokens to the nearest Eskom Hub by Friday 13 December 2024 to be assisted. Customers are urged not to wait for the last day of the extension.
“Zero buyers who bought electricity before the deadline but have a meter-related matter such as a lost, bypassed, or tampered meter, must come forward at Eskom centres by Friday 13 December 2024. Their individual situations will be assessed, tamper fines issued if required and meter updates and replacements will then be scheduled,” Eskom said.
Those who have come forward but did not buy or attempt to buy electricity tokens by 24 November 2024 are encouraged to purchase electricity tokens before 13 December 2024.
Their meters will be audited, and tamper fines and meter replacement costs will be assessed and issued accordingly. They can come forward at any time.
“In the past 10 days, we saw zero buyers coming forward in huge numbers wanting to buy electricity and do the right thing. We will continue to treat these users with dignity and respect as we resolve these issues for all of them who did the right thing.
“We acknowledge also that this was a complex process presenting a challenging set of issues and was at times fraught and we continue to monitor and stabilise the system to ensure a smooth customer experience,” Eskom’s Group Executive for Distribution, Monde Bala, said.
Marokane said the power utility was doing everything that is practically possible to make users of electricity pay for it in the interest of those who already pay for electricity, maintain the sustainability of Eskom to drive the economic growth of South Africa and reduce the burden on the taxpayer. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 11/27/2024 - 12:29
Prepaid electricity customers reminded to recode meters before Sunday deadline
Eskom is urging all prepaid electricity customers to update their meters immediately to avoid an unexpected loss of electricity.
This as the November 24 deadline for upgrading of meters is now less than a week away.
The power utility explained that after Sunday, 24 November, meters still using Key Revision Number 1 will no longer accept electricity tokens, rendering the meter inoperable.
This could necessitate a meter replacement that could cost up to R12 000, at the customer’s cost.
Group Executive for Distribution at the power utility, Monde Bala, explained how and why the updating of the meter is required.
“Customers with meters still on KRN1 have likely not purchased electricity for more than six months or might be using unauthorised tokens bought from criminal syndicates.
“To prevent the meter from becoming inoperable, losing power, and incurring replacement costs, it is critical that all customers, including those who have not purchased electricity in the last six months or more, to buy electricity tokens from authorised vendors by 24 November 2024.
“This will provide them with two sets of 20-digit codes needed to recode and update their meters. We started our public awareness campaigns back in August 2023 and we continue to ask users to come forward so we can offer all the help we have available,” Bala said.
How to check and recode your meter
To verify if your meter is ready, use the following steps:
To complete the recoding:
NeoB
Tue, 11/19/2024 - 10:32
After 24 November old meters will no longer load electricity tokens
Eskom saves R13.7 billion on diesel
Due to load shedding being suspended for over seven months, Eskom’s diesel savings have reached R13.7 billion year-on-year.
In a statement on Friday, Eskom said load shedding has remained suspended for over seven months (219 consecutive days) since 26 March 2024.
“Investments in the Generation Recovery Plan have been instrumental in maintaining a stable power supply across South Africa, driving efficiencies, and achieving R13.7 billion in year-on-year diesel savings.
“On Monday, 28 October 2024, Eskom achieved a significant milestone in operational efficiency, moving closer to its goal of a 70% Energy Availability Factor (EAF) by end March 2025.
“This achievement is marked by a reduction in unplanned outages, which are measured by the Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF) and Other Capacity Loss Factors (OCLF), to 7 299MW. The last time Eskom reached a comparable UCLF milestone was four years ago,” the power utility said.
This achievement follows Eskom’s recent milestone of delivering the longest stretch of uninterrupted power supply in five years, reaching Day 206 of loadshedding suspension on Saturday, 19 October 2024.
“The reduction in unplanned outages means that more generation capacity is available to meet the country’s electricity demand. Additionally, it provides Eskom with the necessary capacity to conduct more planned maintenance activities, which are crucial for further improving the reliability and stability of the generation fleet,” Eskom said.
Eskom’s EAF increased to an average of 65 % over the past week and 63.1% year-to-date, with top-performing stations — including Grootvlei, Camden, Medupi, Lethabo, and peaking facilities — achieving over 70% EAF.
Five other power stations recorded EAFs above 60%.
“By Monday evening, an additional 4 030MW is expected to return online, with six units on cold reserve this weekend to manage supply and demand balance,” Eskom said.
In August, Eskom shared its Summer Outlook for the period from 1 September 2024 to 31 March 2025, predicting a likely scenario of a load shedding-free summer due to structural generation improvements. This outlook remains unchanged.
Illegal connections
While load shedding remains suspended, Eskom continues to face network overloading issues in certain local areas due to illegal connections, vandalism, meter tampering, unauthorised network operations, theft of network equipment, and purchasing electricity from unlicensed vendors.
“To prevent public safety hazards and the risk of network overloading which can lead to load reduction measures and extended unplanned power outages, Eskom strongly urges customers to avoid illegal connections, as this can negatively impact the entire local community. It is also essential for customers to ensure they purchase electricity only from authorised vendors,” the power utility said.
Eskom urged the public to help protect the integrity of the power network by reporting any illegal activities to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323.
Meter updates
In addition, as the 24 November 2024 deadline approaches, Eskom has reminded customers to update their pre-paid meters to avoid them expiring and losing electricity.
READ | Eskom calls on prepaid customers to update meters before 24 November deadline
The simple, DIY process involves buying credit tokens from authorised vendors. Customers will receive two 20-digit codes to enter into their meters for the update. -SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Sun, 11/03/2024 - 11:40
Slow compliance with servicing Eskom debt a risk to debt write-offs
National Treasury has warned that municipalities' slow compliance with conditions of the debt relief programme on arrears to Eskom risk delaying debt write-offs.
According to the National Treasury’s document on the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), success depends on municipalities maintaining a quarterly revenue collection rate of 85 %, which is below the National Treasury collection norm for local government of 95 %.
“Around 70 of the municipalities that had applied for debt relief have been approved. Between March and August 2024, compliance with relief conditions by municipalities improved from 55% to 76 %, aided by the National Treasury, Provincial Treasuries, and the Municipal Finance Improvement Programme,” Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana said.
The Minister was delivering the MTBPS in Parliament on Wednesday.
National government is supporting municipalities with debt relief for arrears to Eskom to be written off in equal annual tranches over a three-year period provided they comply with the set conditions.
This programme, operating on rolling 12-month cycles, aims to mitigate fiscal risks by improving compliance with financial management and revenue collection. By combining debt relief and revenue enhancement, it aims to change the nonpayment culture for municipal services and support Eskom’s balance sheet.
“Rand West City is the first municipality to benefit from a one-third debt write-off. This follows its substantial achievement of the debt-relief conditions for the first 12-month cycle. More municipalities stand to benefit from this write-off of debt if they comply with the conditions of the programme. We implore provincial and national departments owing municipalities to pay their dues.
“This will enable municipalities to pay waterboards and Eskom, so that utilities can deliver these services to citizens,” the Minister said.
Despite these efforts, the financial situation of the top 14 Eskom defaulters remains critical, requiring alternative solutions.
The National Treasury, with stakeholder departments and Eskom, is exploring additional strategies in this regard.
Municipalities have been encouraged to offer relief to indebted customers who pay current bills and transition to smart prepaid metering.
Eskom’s financial condition
According to the National Treasury, Eskom remains highly dependent on government support through the debt-relief arrangement.
“The utility has begun to strengthen its performance, with no power cuts since the end of March 2024 and improved profitability. Its most recent financial plan also targets profitability from 2026/27 onwards. However, escalating municipal debt arrears continue to negatively affect its financial performance.
“The debt-relief arrangement granted to Eskom is intended to strengthen its balance sheet, enabling it to restructure and undertake the investment and maintenance needed to support stable electricity supply aligned with national needs,” National Treasury said.
Given Eskom’s failure to dispose of the Eskom Finance Company by 31 March 2024, the National Treasury reduced the debt-relief allocation from R78 billion to R76 billion in 2023/24.
This allocation was fully disbursed and converted to equity following Eskom’s compliance with all the attached conditions. Eskom’s allocation for 2024/25 will be reduced by R2 billion to R64 billion should it fail to dispose of the Eskom Finance Company by 31 March 2025.
“In April 2024, the Eskom Debt Relief Act (2023) was amended to ensure that the loan granted under the debt-relief arrangement is correctly classified and that market-related interest is charged.
“Additionally, in June 2024 the National Treasury disbursed an R8 billion interest-bearing loan as part of the debt-relief allocation for 2024/25.
“As of 27 September 2024, Eskom had paid R91 million in interest to the National Treasury for the debt-relief loans. The National Treasury is now working with Eskom to finalise government’s takeover of R70 billion of Eskom’s loan portfolio by 2025/26,” National Treasury said. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 10/30/2024 - 14:15
Eskom calls on prepaid customers to update meters before 24 November deadline
Eskom has urged prepaid electricity customers to recode their meters by 24 November 2024 as required by the Standard Transfer Specification Association (STSA).
According to Eskom, after this deadline, meters will no longer accept electricity tokens unless they are updated to key revision number (KRN) 2.
In response to recent reports, including one from City Power, Eskom confirmed that there will be no extension to the 24 November 2024 deadline for the token identifier (TID) update.
The recording process affects approximately 6.9 million prepaid meters in Eskom-supplied areas.
“Failure to recode by the deadline will prevent customers from loading electricity tokens, rendering their meters inoperable,” the State-owned power utility said on Monday.
The entity said it has already prepared 97% of the meters by pre-coding them, making it simple for customers to complete the process themselves.
“This do-it-yourself (DIY) process requires customers to purchase credit tokens from authorised vendors, after which they will receive two sets of 20-digit codes to enter into their meters for the update.”
Meanwhile, Eskom is intensifying its awareness campaign to ensure all customers are informed and encourages those who have not yet recoded their meters to act quickly to avoid service disruptions.
The utility also thanked those who have already completed the process and reassured customers that support teams are available for assistance.
“For more information, updates, and assistance, customers are encouraged to visit Eskom’s website, follow its social media platforms, listen to radio announcements, or participate in local engagement sessions.
“Eskom remains committed to a smooth transition to KRN2 and ensuring uninterrupted service for all customers.”
Customers needing help can call 0860 037 566. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Mon, 10/21/2024 - 15:37
Deadline looms to upgrade Nelson Mandela Bay prepaid electricity meters
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has urged prepaid electricity customers to update their meters before the November 2024 deadline.
This, as the municipality started the process of updating prepared electricity meters in April 2022.
The programme is being implemented in phases to replace the old KNR1 meters with the new KNR2 system.
The municipality’s Electricity and Energy Portfolio Head, Zanele Sikawuti, commended customers for updating more than 146 921 meters to date.
She urged the remaining customers to join the programme, as the current devices will expire on 24 November 2024.
The directorate is employing various strategies, including door-to door visits, call centre assistance, and an enhanced communication drive to reach the thousands of residents who have not yet updated their meters.
A total of 1 263 meters were updated between 9 September and 4 October 2024.
“However, we still have 169 868 meters that need to be updated, including those that have been tampered with, damaged, or are faulty. We continue to urge all residents and business owners with prepaid electricity meters to update their meters before the current devices expire in November 2024,” Sikawuti said.
Sikawuti reiterated the municipality’s commitment to delivering an uninterrupted power supply to customers and ensured that the 24 November 2024 deadline would cause minimal disruption to electricity provision for all customers who purchase electricity.
She urged residents to cooperate with the municipal teams and be at home when they visit.
“Ward councillors have the information on when our teams will visit wards and residents must allow us access to their homes. The refusal of access has been a challenge and, while we understand there are various reasons for this, our teams are clearly identified as municipal workers.
“It is critical for customers to update their meters. After the deadline, they might be able to buy electricity, but tokens will not be accepted by the outdated meter,” Sikawuti said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Mon, 10/14/2024 - 10:44
If you are a KRN 1 then worry, If you are a KRN 2 then you are good. By 24 November 2024 ALL prepaid meters in South Africa will need to be recoded. The current Token Identifier (TID) code will expire on 24 November 2024 and after this date all Standard Transfer Specification (STS) compliant […]
By 24 November 2024 ALL prepaid meters in South Africa will need to be recoded. The current Token Identifier (TID) code will expire on 24 November 2024 and after this date all Standard Transfer Specification (STS) compliant meters will stop accepting credit tokens. Most meters in the country fall within this category. This project is …
“We are eating less food because we have to pay more for electricity”
Ensuring the safety and style of your home involves more than just choosing the right furniture or colour scheme. It also includes the critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of your home’s electrical system. A well-designed and maintained electrical distribution board can enhance both the safety and aesthetics of your living space. What is a …
Technology has become an integral part of our daily lives. Smart homes, with their advanced features, offer a unique combination of convenience, security, and efficiency. By incorporating devices such as smart light switches and home automation systems, smart house technology ensures the safety and security of your family. The Start of Smart Homes The …
In an era where energy efficiency and smart technology go hand in hand, automated lighting and shading systems have emerged as a revolutionary solution for both residential and commercial spaces. These systems are not only designed to reduce energy consumption but also to enhance comfort and convenience. By leveraging smart switches, smart light switches, automatic …
A nationwide shortage of keypads for the Amanzi Prepaid Water Meters has led to concerned consumers trying every avenue for replacement keypads. The black UIU with replaceable batteries from Straton Prepaid has been on back-order for 4 weeks and is only expected to be fulfilled at the end off August 2024. Straton Prepaid has refunded …
44 Questions answered about prepaid electricity meters. Straton Prepaid have been installing prepaid meters since 2012 and receive many different questions around prepaid electricity meters. Below are the 44 most common questions received: How to recharge prepaid electricity meters? Why was my prepaid electricity cut? Who stocks prepaid electricity meters in South Africa How does …
10 Questions answered around the differences between traditional mechanical prepaid water meters and ultrasonic prepaid water meters. Straton Prepaid have been installing prepaid meters since 2012 and receive many different questions around water meters. Below are the 10 most common questions received: What is the difference between mechanical meter and ultrasonic meter? Are ultrasonic water …
In the realm of prepaid water metering, two main technologies dominate the market: ultrasonic water meters and traditional mechanical water meters. Each type comes with its own set of features, advantages, and disadvantages. In this article Straton Prepaid aims to provide a comprehensive comparison between the two, focusing specifically on their relevance to the South …
Warning against electricity scammers
The City of Cape Town has urged residents to be aware of scammers pretending to work for the city to gain access to the residents’ homes.
The city’s Electricity Generation and Distribution Department said its teams have been made aware of scammers in Sanddrift, where a resident recently reported to the city that two scammers visited her home claiming to work for the city’s Electricity Department to check on electricity prepaid meters in the area.
“Once the resident allows the scammers access to their home, they proceeded to steal items while the resident is not looking. These incidents happen far too often, and we ask residents to always be alert, especially our elderly residents,” sait the city’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Xanthea Limberg.
While the city’s electricity staff and contractors are in neighbourhoods to do legitimate meter readings and other work, Limberg urged residents to always be alert and to verify the official’s identity with the city before allowing officials access to their property.
“Residents are urged to verify the official’s identity and work order number with the city before giving them access to their homes. All legitimate city staff and contractors will identify themselves before asking for access for legitimate city related electricity work.
“The identification card must display the city logo, the name and surname of the staff member or mandated contractor and must contain an embedded photo of the staff member or mandated contractor. If unsure, please contact the city’s call centre,” Limberg said.
Limberg also urged the residents refrain from any type of aggressive action, including threats or intimidation of legitimate city staff and contractors doing meter reading or other critical electricity infrastructure work in their neighbourhoods.
To verify the work order, contact the city’s call centre on 0860 103 089. To report suspicious behaviour, contact 0800 1100 77.
Tips for residents:
• Always verify the work order number when an official visits your home.
• Check the official’s city-issued identification card.
• The ID card must display the city logo, the name and surname of the staff member or mandated contractor and must contain an embedded photo of the staff member or mandated contractor.
• If unsure, call the city’s call centre on 0860 103 089.
• Report suspicious behaviour to the city’s law enforcement agencies or to the SAPS. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Sun, 07/21/2024 - 10:46
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