The rollout of smart electricity meters in Endumeni has been welcomed as a step towards better service delivery, but concerns have been raised about how it is being implemented.

Councillor Naresh Gopie, chairperson of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC), said that while council supports modern metering technology, the programme must focus on stopping major revenue losses.

“Smart meters are a valuable tool, but their deployment must directly address the areas where the municipality is losing the most revenue,” he said.

Preliminary assessments identified high-risk zones across Endumeni that may account for up to R40 million in electricity losses each month. The municipality already owes Eskom more than R300 million.

Gopie warned that the current rollout appears to be taking place in areas that are not financially critical. “If we want to make a real difference to Endumeni’s stability, we must first focus on the areas identified as priorities,” he said.

He called for a phased, transparent rollout that sets clear milestones and ensures accountability at every stage. He also stressed the need for public involvement. “Endumeni residents must be informed, involved and kept up to date on the progress. Transparency builds trust,” he added.

Gopie further urged that the rollout be paired with practical measures such as preventing vandalism, checking meter integrity, and improving billing processes.

“These additional steps will help us accelerate the financial turnaround we urgently need,” he said.

He concluded that the value of smart meters lies in their strategic deployment. “If we focus on where the biggest losses are occurring, we can stop the bleeding and lay the foundation for sustainable service delivery.”

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