Raceview’s visually impaired resident Christo de Klerk, who uses assistive devices that require electricity, appeals for the city’s intervention.
Raceview’s Christo de Klerk and his visually impaired wife have finally breathed a sigh of relief, although they are not certain for how long.
They demand a long-term solution after having their prepaid meter periodically blocked for at least every month since last year.
When their electricity meter is blocked, they cannot purchase electricity units.
This according to de Klerk is a great inconvenience.
“I have a solar system, but I am not off the grid. I still use power from the utility on dull and rainy days, so I need to monitor my usage. I accumulated a lot of power as an investment for when I might need it. Over the months, I used my prepaid meter only to regularly check the balance of my units,” he said.
Then in October last year, he said the municipality blocked his meter and he could not check his balance.
“My wife and I use assistive devices that require electricity. We frequently do not have any sighted assistance to check meter dials or escort us somewhere we need to go. You can understand what chaos it would cause in our lives if we should not have power and we did not have sighted assistance at that moment,” explained de Klerk.
He then contacted Ward 106 Clr Tim Denny to intervene on his behalf in getting the meter unblocked. He immediately agreed to do so.
“He was informed by the municipality that they had my meter blocked because I had a big credit. It is their way of combatting electricity theft. If anyone understands this logic, please also explain it to me. Denny persuaded them to unlock my meter and I could check my balance,” he said.
He said the problem persisted in the following months with Denny constantly intervening.
“Then my balance got really low and I needed to purchase electricity. The only problem was, I couldn’t because my meter was blocked again. This time it nearly became a crisis. Denny had to follow up repeatedly. I had to bother him with numerous WhatsApps to follow up,” de Klerk said.
Eventually, just recently, the meter finally got unblocked again and he was able to purchase electricity to his great relief.
“I honestly do not know what I would have done if Denny did not intervene on my behalf and I wish to thank him for his help and patience. I don’t think his and my nightmares are over and I only hope Denny still has patience left. I suspect that this municipal madness will continue,” he explained.
De Klerk, who uses the Hexing meter, also said if they wish to replace his meter for some unclear reason, they will have to replace it with another accessible meter with buttons.
Denny said: “The story began with the resident buying thousands of units, with obviously any municipality would raise questions of tampering or theft. They blocked his meter not knowing he is blind, but because they suspected tampering.”
City of Ekurhuleni’s spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the matter will be given urgent attention.
“It would not make sense to provide him with a gadget that is not user-friendly to him. The city forever seeks ways to ensure easy and better access to our services at all times,” he said.
