South African city installed smart meters where units deplete faster than what they should

Many Mbombela residents with newly installed smart meters said they are unable to load electricity tokens and raised concerns about how the units deplete faster.

Dorothea Rix, a DA councillor in the City of Mbombela, said that the mayor, Sibongile Makushe-Mazibuko, must address the issue.

“These smart meters were installed at a number of households across West Acres and Mataffin,” she said.

“Following installation, residents have been complaining that they are unable to load electricity tokens, and have raised concerns about how the units deplete faster.”

The DA called a meeting with the municipality’s Project Manager, Linge Ngubane, but she did not attend.

Instead, a representative who did not have the technical knowledge on the smart meters was sent on behalf of the municipality.

“This caused frustration, and without the correct technical officials present, the meeting could not achieve its purpose,” she said.

The meeting was an opportunity to create a platform where residents could raise their issues directly with the municipal Technical Department and the service provider.

Rix added that there are many businesses in the affected areas which are now unable to operate at full capacity due to the meter faults.

“These faulty smart meters have plunged our communities into darkness, exposing them to crime,” she said.

“We support rolling out smart meters to identified households, as it can reduce billing errors and improve the municipality’s revenue collection.”

“However, transparency and sound government practices cannot be compromised in the process.”