The Tshwane metro has assured residents of an Irene estate that the replacement of their old electricity meter would not leave them in the dark on 1 July.
The metro started replacing the old meters in Cornwall Hill country estate, an estate of about 100 households, with “smart meters” in March.
But some residents have expressed concern that the metro would discontinue service of the old meters on deadline day, at the end of June, and leave them without power if their meters were not replaced.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Tshwane smart meter roll-out to be improved
However MMC for utility services Abel Tau has told residents not to panic.
“We will get to them,” he said.
“We have 50 teams of 10 officials each who are working at any given time to replace the outstanding meters.”
Tau said the officials were in a position to replace as many as 2 000 meters before the end-of-the-month deadline.
Asked if residents whose meters had not been replaced by 1 July would be without power, Tau said the metro would replace all meters.
“We will reach everyone [by 30 June].”
Resident Dr Andre Parker said his three-phase meter had yet to be replaced.
“We believe the metro is facing a major catastrophe come 30 June,” Parker said.
“If the meters are not replaced, will we still have power after then?”
Parker said he was first notified that the metro would replace his meter in March.
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“We were given notice and told that the TUMS meters would be discontinued after 30 June.”
By Wednesday, Parker still had his old meter.
Estate manager Dirk Heyns said he personally visited the metro to get clarity on this issue.
“It is unclear which meters have been replaced and which still need replacing,” he said.
“We are really struggling to get proper communication from them regarding the meters.
“When you call the numbers provided you don’t get answers. We understand the need for the change of meters but the lack of communication has been a problem.”
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Residents reject new meters
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