City Power will convert approximately 2,318 non-vending prepaid residential customers to a postpaid billing system from November 12.

This intervention forms part of the utility’s ongoing efforts to reduce revenue losses, address tampered meters and illegal connections, and improve billing accuracy across all areas of electricity supply.

A non-vending meter refers to a prepaid meter that is not being recharged. While this may occur when customers stop purchasing electricity, it often signals meter tampering or bypassing to avoid payment.

The conversion process will run until December 31 and applies only to customers already identified as non-vending.

City Power aims to recover outstanding revenue through this process, supported by municipal bylaws that allow for the disconnection of illegal connections and the backdating of charges. However, due to current constraints, the utility will not backdate charges beyond 36 months.

Once moved to the postpaid system, customers will receive monthly bills from the City of Johannesburg reflecting actual electricity consumption.

These bills will include a monthly service charge and a network capacity charge of about R900, along with standard postpaid billing terms. Customers are urged to pay their accounts promptly to avoid disconnection.

They will also receive reconciled backdated charges for electricity consumed, which will be incorporated into their monthly statements.

City Power will continue conducting stand-by-stand meter audits to identify additional non-compliant customers. The utility warns that refusing technicians access to conduct audits may lead to disconnection, reconnection fees, and other penalties.

For safety, residents are encouraged to verify the credentials of anyone claiming to represent City Power. Legitimate staff and contractors will carry official identification cards, a contractor verification number, and a Firefly hologram.

Customers seeking assistance can contact City Power’s Customer Contact Centre on 011 490 7484, the toll-free line 080 020 2925, or email [email protected]

The public is also encouraged to confirm scheduled work through their local Service Delivery Centres or ward councillors.