City Power introduces DIY method for the TID programme in Midrand SDC areas

In an effort to accelerate the rollout of the token identifier (TID) programme, City Power has introduced an automated system to allow residents in the Midrand Service Delivery Centre (SDC) areas to record their own meters.

This DIY method will enable the upgrading of metering codes, ensuring that all prepaid meters are fully converted by November 24.

City Power has also been conducting meter auditing simultaneously with the meter conversion process.

Read more: Vorna Valley substation needs attention, City Power says its managed by Eskom

However, delays caused by some residents, who refused the entity agents access to their homes over security concerns, forced City Power to implement the DIY initiative.

It is crucial to note that residents who fail to upgrade their meters before the November deadline will no longer be able to top-up their electricity units.

While this process is something that residents can easily do on their own, City Power technicians have been on standby in the Midrand SDC areas from April 15-30 to assist those who might encounter some challenges in the process of recoding their meters.

The entity has started the meter conversion process in the Midrand SDC areas such as Vorna Valley, Halfway House, Noordwyk, Founders Hill, Grand Central, Midrand, Sagewood, Savoy Estate, Rabie Ridge, River Club, Greenstone Park, Modderfontein, Greenstone Hill, Kyalami Estate, and Kyalami Hills.

Although City Power said that this process is being done in slots and another list of areas with dates will follow, Mayibuye residents feel left out as some residents were recently disconnected from the smart meters.

“There is nothing that we can do now because here in Mayibuye, they [City Power] said they are done whereas they did not give other customers those smart meters,” said a group of Mayibuye residents including Bulelwa Gatyeni, Nomzamo Maluleke, and Sarah Zungu to name a few.

Read more: City Power disconnects 88 newly metered residents in Mayibuye

“City Power has caused huge division within the community. They were supposed to fully complete the whole area with their normalisation process, and so they did not which led to a huge division between residents who were paying and not not paying.

“This led to most of the mini-substation boxes within the community being vandalised, and since City Power disconnected other residents on March 26 the vandalism seems to be worse. The community is still saying they don’t have a problem with buying electricity, but can all Mayibuye residents buy.”

City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the entity began rolling out the prepaid meter upgrades in August 2023, but due to challenges such as residents denying officials entry to their homes, the process has been moving at a slower pace than anticipated.

“Out of 283 966 registered prepaid meters, only 38 474 have been converted and 84 998 fully audited. There are still over 245 000 meters that need to be converted, and with only six months left, this process is essential in keeping prepaid meters functioning beyond the deadline,” said Mangena.

He urges residents to take advantage of this opportunity to get their meters converted using a convenient method before the fast-approaching deadline.

City Power technicians are easily identifiable, as they wear yellow TID-branded bibs or T-shirts and carry valid ID cards with their photo, name, and surname, as well as an expiry date.

Read more: City Power’s Midrand Service Centre change meter boxes

Residents are cautioned not to pay for TID meter resetting, as this service is provided at no cost. They are also urged to report suspicious activities such as being asked to pay for meter resetting service, when people at their doorsteps are not wearing TID-branded clothing and have no ID cards.
To recode your prepaid meter, follow these three easy steps:

• Key in the first 20 digits of your recode token and wait for it to be accepted
• Key in the second 20 digital of your recode token and wait for it to be accepted.
• Very important last step. Key in the 20 digits of your purchased token to recharge your meter.

Details: City Power 0800 202925 or 011 490 7484.

Related article: City Power completes normalisation of meters in Mayibuye