uThukela District Municipality has issued an official press release regarding the smart prepaid water meters and they warn residents to beware of criminals pretending to be contractors.
The press release reads as follows:
Residents of Alfred Duma Local Municipality are advised to report any suspicious contractors who claim to be changing existing conventional and smart water meters to the police.
This comes after uThukela District Municipality was alerted to suspicious contractors who claimed to be tasked with installing smart meters but did not provide any form of identification.
It is alleged that there is an illegitimate team working or moving around the Ladysmith urban areas, impersonating smart meter installers contracted by uThukela District Municipality.
It must be mentioned that the municipality has suspended all smart meter projects with immediate effect. Drawing from this, they distance themselves from this malpractice and strongly advise residents not to fall victim to such a scam.
Concerned resident Mr Earl Astor said, with all the theft and robberies going on, it was concerning that those unknown people who did not identify themselves were attempting to gain entry to homes. He described them as aggressive and forceful people. “I hope this can be resolved quickly by the relevant people responsible for this,” he said.
Mr Astor said the alleged contractors threatened residents who did not want to have the smart meter installed that they will have a problem if they refuse. When he told them that the project has been halted by the municipality, one gentleman said he was aware of that but he has since obtained the contract or letter of appointment that was obtained “fraudulently” with the signature of the Municipal Manager.
Another resident, who requested not to be named, said these bogus contractors who came to his house and spoke to them drove in an unmarked vehicle. They did not look presentable and carried no identification, except a photocopied letter notifying them about the installation of the smart meter.
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Another resident suspected that there was a possibility that these guys also intended to steal the smart meters from unsuspecting victims.
The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Ladysmith Gazette, a sold newspaper distributed in the Ladysmith area.
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