The decision by the Emfuleni Local Municipality (Evaton, Sebokeng, Vaal Oewer, Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging), to replace the conventional and prepaid electricity meters of residents who diligently settle their electricity bills with smart meters, needs to be reconsidered.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is not opposed to the installation of smart meters, but believes that defaulters should be the first to have smart meters installed.
No public participation process was conducted with affected residents in areas including large parts of the SE and SW areas and Three Rivers, where 4 827 prepaid electricity meters have been earmarked for replacement.
Residents in these areas faithfully pay their electricity bills, while residents in other areas ignore their bills, bypass meters or steal electricity.
It is precisely in these areas where smart meters should be installed to crack down on defaulters and generate revenue for the Municipality.
In a letter to the Municipal Manager, Mr April Ntuli, the Freedom Front Plus raised the following questions:
• Why was there no prior communication with residents?
• What is the contractual agreement between the Emfuleni Municipality and BXC contractors, and who oversees their activities?
• Why are smart meters installed for regular payers and not for households lacking meters to measure their electricity consumption?
These practices not only undermine people’s faith in the Municipality, but also create unnecessary tension in communities that are already under strain.
The Freedom Front Plus calls on Emfuleni to urgently review this issue, prioritise transparent communication, and follow a fair and inclusive process for the rollout of smart electricity meters.
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