Letter: Reader frustrated by the new pre-paid meter system

Editor – Ekurhuleni intends that ratepayers should change over to pre-paid metering for electricity.

However, there is an annoying lack of communication about the process, and questionable practices are being followed.

In our street alone, many mixed messages have been given.

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Some residents have summarily had their electricity cut off without warning because their meters were changed.

In one case, the indoor unit was left with a neighbour, with no instructions on what to do and no one to check the unit worked correctly.

This particular unit is clearly not functioning properly because, when there is load-shedding, it beeps every 15 seconds.

This homeowner had the electricity to her home disconnected the next day and finally resorted to plugging in the device and going out to load the card.

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All this occurred without any communication.

Several questions arise:

• Why is a proper process not followed, with a schedule for delivery where ratepayers have to sign for devices delivered?

• How can ratepayers be expected to know what to do?

• Why is the roll-out in our area, Marion Place, seemingly so haphazard?

• Why are the call centre agents seemingly uninformed about this process?

The management of this project is unsatisfactory and not at all professional.

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Ward 18 Clr Heather Hart reports that the sub-contractor concerned does not adhere to requests from management to follow a clear process.

Why then are their services retained?

As a ratepayer, I would like answers and accountability.

Yours faithfully,

Arlene Walsh, Dowerglen resident.

A request for comment was sent to the CoE on February 5, requesting comment by February 8 at 10:00. At the time of going to print, no comment was received.