Residents of the Emakhazeni Local Municipality (Belfast, Machadodorp, Dullstroom, Waterval Boven) are experiencing serious financial and other hardships due to the flawed roll-out of new smart electricity meters.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is aware of numerous complaints about prepaid units running out too fast, and power being disconnected suddenly and without any warning.
These problems particularly affect low- and middle-income households, which are already under strain and now have to make do without reliable electricity supply.
What was supposed to be a modern service delivery project to combat electricity theft has instead turned into a source of uncertainty, frustration and unnecessary hardship for the community.
The Freedom Front Plus is concerned about the integrity of the smart meter system. In some areas, illegal bypassing and meter tampering are still rampant. The irony is that the new technology – intended to stop electricity theft – is now causing law-abiding residents needless problems.
They are quite literally paying the price for the electricity thieves’ actions through higher consumption, sudden disconnections, and a system that apparently cannot distinguish between honest users and offenders.
In light of all this, the Freedom Front Plus sent a request for a comprehensive report to the Speaker of the Nkangala District Municipality, Kabelo Jonas Boshomane.
The party demands to know which company or service provider supplied and installed the smart meters, as well as a full breakdown of the tender and procurement process to ensure it was above board and transparent.
The total contract value and the source of funding should also be disclosed. It is equally important that the Municipality sets out what measures are already in place or are in the pipeline to effectively combat electricity theft and meter tampering without further disadvantaging paying residents.
It is unacceptable that a system intended to promote fairness is now having the exact opposite effect.
The Freedom Front Plus will not rest until there is transparency, accountability and fair solutions.
The party will keep the community informed of further developments and will continue to fight for a system that protects honest residents rather than punishing them.
