Some Eskom prepaid meter customers have been warned to do the necessary or pay hefty fines. The power utility shared a detailed statement on 27 November 2024.
There are fines particularly for Eskom customers, who are now referred to as “zero buyers.” They could be required to pay them if they miss the new deadline set for 13 December 2024.
According to BusinessTech, “zero buyers” describes “customers using electricity but not paying for it through legitimate channels, or at all.” The number of Eskom prepaid meter users that still need to be recoded currently stands at 1.7 million.
PREPAID METER FINES AND FEES TO KNOW
Eskom’s statement reveals the various steps customers need to take before the new deadline. One of the fines mentioned is called the tamper fine.
ESKOM TAMPER FINE
This fine first applies to those with matters related to meters like a meter that’s bypassed, lost or tampered with. Eskom urged these customers to come forward. “Their individual situations will be assessed, tamper fines issued if required and meter updates and replacements will then be scheduled.”
Another group of people this type of fine applies to are those who did not buy electricity tokens before the 24 November 2024 deadline. “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.”
The tampering fine has been set at R6 000. However, those affected are able to pay it in instalments of R500 over 12 months, reported SowetanLIVE on 25 November 2024.
CITY OF TSHWANE’S R29 000 TAMPER FEE
The City of Tshwane on the other hand has threatened to issue a tamper fee of R29 000 for illegal connections, reported BusinessTech. It said they had “decided to allow customers to enter into payment agreements. Customers will be required to go to municipal customer care offices to make the necessary payment arrangements, and their meters will be normalised and/or replaced.”
R12 000 PREPAID METER REPLACEMENT FEE
Eskom revealed before the end of the initial deadline that failing to upgrade prepaid meters comes with costly consequences. The South African reported on 19 November 2024 that those who didn’t recode would have to replace their meters, which could cost them R12 000.
ARE YOU ALSO ONE OF THOSE REQUIRED TO PAY THESE EXORBITANT FINES AND FEES?
Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
