Installation of prepaid meters is not a scam – metro

The metro was reacting to a Sunward Park resident who complained that recently a letter was received from two men who said that they were instructed by the metro to install a prepaid electricity meter at his property.

The complainant never arranged a prepaid meter and, therefore, refused entry.

According to him, the letter is similar to a newsletter directed at small businesses and not residential homes. He deemed this to be a probable scam.

According to the metro spokesperson, Themba Gadebe, this not a scam, but rather a case where the metro is looking at replacing meters.

“These replacements are required given that existing metering at most of certain sites, especially small businesses, is outdated, hence there is a responsibility on the metro to identify these meters and upgrade them.

“In this specific instance, the data analysis appears to have yielded an incorrect result.

“This error may be understandable, if one considers how many houses are converted into business properties, some of these without following the required processes.”

In addition, Gadebe added, similar projects are also changing older meters for new prepayment meters at residential properties, on a continuous basis.

“The metro continually strives to improve the level of service that we provide,” he said.

“We trust that the electricity service that we provide meets with your expectations and that we deliver on our promise of service excellence.”

Each residential or small business electricity connection in the metro is equipped with an electricity meter. This meter can be one of two types only, these being:

1. A conventional (or credit) meter – this dated device simply measures the kilowatt-hour units consumed by the property, the meter is read monthly and these units are then used to create a monthly bill;

2. A prepayment meter – this modern device is loaded upfront with kilowatt-hour units, which are counted down on the meter. There are no meter readings involved, and no bill is received in relation to electricity consumption.

“Conventional meters are getting old and need to be replaced with modern technology, this new technology being prepayment metering (or as described in the letter received by the customer, automated meter reading for larger installations),” said Gadebe.

The metro targeted a project in several areas, during which each property will receive the new prepayment meter free of charge.

The same holds true for efforts to replace individual faulty meters, as they get reported by the metro’s meter readers.

“Please assist us by making it as easy as possible for our contractor to install the meter.

“It should take no more than about 30 minutes, after which you will be changed to the new prepayment metering, taking control of your electricity consumption.

“Sadly, we are unable to accommodate customers who feel that they must remain on the old credit/conventional meter system.

“New conventional meter stock has not been sourced since the beginning of 2012, hence, there simply is no conventional meter with which to replace your old, or faulty meter.

“It is very risky for a property to have a broken electricity meter, or no meter at all. When a new meter is installed, back-billing will take place to recover lost units (as per the provisions of the by-laws).

“Please help us not to end up with a situation of such a nature.”