Alfred Duma Local Municipality appeals to community members to take care when it comes to their electricity meters. There has been an increase in electricity-related matters in the community that warrant concern. One of the major matters is that of tampering with municipal meters.
An electricity meter is used to measure the amount of electricity supplied to a residential or commercial building. Meter tampering or bypassing is when you make the meter either stop functioning, under-register or even stop registering how much electricity your house/building consumes.
This is usually done by people to avoid paying for the electricity they use. This is theft and is very dangerous because the risk of injury or even death by electrocution while doing so is high. Those who tamper do not apply the same safety measures that the municipality does.
Once a meter is bypassed, it immediately stops operating normally, meaning that if there is an electrical fault inside your premises, it will not be picked up and the electricity supply will stay on without tripping. This is a serious safety hazard to people and animals in the building, and can result in electrocution or fire.
Electricity tampering is not only dangerous but is a criminal offence. As from July 1, prosecution for meter tampering varies from domestic (home) to commercial (business) users.
If tampering is discovered within a home, a tampering fee of R10,000 for first-time offenders will be applied, and the recovery of electricity consumption will be calculated for a period of three years. The tampering fee for a second-time / repeat offender will be R15,000 and the recovery of electricity consumption will be calculated for three years.
If tampering by commercial and industrial customers is discovered, the tampering fee for a first offence is R20,000 and the recovery of electricity consumption lost will be calculated over a period of three (3) years. A repeat offender will be fined R30,000 and the recovery of electricity consumption will be calculated for three years.
Alfred Duma Local Municipality would like to caution people not to tamper with electricity meters. Please phone the electricity department on 0366376905 / 0366376903 , giving full details (including name and address).
The same number is routed to Public Safety after-hours and over weekends. Electricians will be there to assist you.
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