Pensioners are still shocked at their Eskom electricity bills, however, Eskom is suggesting the option of prepaid meters erase those debts in three years if a meter box is not tempered or fidgeted with.
There were mixed emotions in the portfolio meeting when some senior citizens sternly disapproved the suggested meter box system while others accepted under many conditions, like Portia Nyathi, who said, “Prepaid meters would only work if every outside room gets a separate meter box, this will manage both the electricity and the process of reloading.”
Democratic Alliance‘s(DA) Members of Parliament from Diepkloof invited delegates of Eskom to discuss the issues raised by the community of Diepkloof at the portfolio meeting, the call which Thandazile Mazibuko, a senior manager for customer service operations answered promptly along with Nkosana Sibuyi, the spokesperson for Eskom.
Sibuyi explained that “The prepaid meter system is Eskom’s way to repay electricity bills many houses in Soweto have incurred over the years which now amounts to R8 Billion by now, but people can choose between the conventional system and the prepaid system.”
Patrick Maboa of the Pensioner’s Forum in Diepkloof Zone One, who was present during the meeting between the DA Members of Parliament and the delegates of Eskom, explained that, “The conventional system is the continuation of the old meter boxes which have incurred debts ranging from R100 000 to R400 000 and more, people who would rather choose this option are required to continue paying monthly service charges while trying to pay off their debts.”
“Those who would opt for the suggested prepaid meter system will have new prepaid meter boxes installed in their houses, and will have to recharge them manually by purchasing electricity vouchers whenever electricity runs out while Eskom suspends the debt for three years. Adhering to this prepaid system will result in Eskom erasing the debt.”
Sibuyi explained that Eskom is prohibited by government’s policies to implement some things, like installing more than one-meter boxes in one house.
Some pensioners still couldn’t come to terms with either of the two options, stating their minimal pension and unemployed children, like Gogo Sarah Manana who said, “My pension money alone has to take care of my entire household which includes my grandchildren and unemployed children with qualifications. What will happen when the prepaid electricity runs out and there’s no money to recharge?”
Eskom promised to return to the community of Diepkloof with more answers and solution in a month or two.
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