10 things to know about roll-out of prepaid metres in Tshwane

The project to replace over 24 000 conventional electricity meters with the new smart prepaid meters is well underway in all seven regions of the metro.

If you are uncertain about how the roll-out of the smart meters is going to work, here are 10 things you need to know:

1. Whose meter will be replaced?

The current phase of the roll-out will see prepaid meters be installed ONLY in homes where there are arrears on rates, water or electricity.

2. Installation times

Installation times are between 07:00 and 18:30.

3. Notice

A notice regarding installation should be delivered to your property seven days prior to the installation as a warning that the installation will take place.

This project started on 17 February 2021 and will run until the end of this financial year, 30 June 2021.

4. How will you know that the contractor is from the metro?

The contractor should have a letter from the Tshwane metro identifying him as a valid contractor.

The letter will be valid for no longer than three months.

On the letter, there should be contact numbers where residents can phone and verify that it is in fact a contractor of the metro.

He will also have to identify himself with his own identification e.g. ID.

5. Head-start

The new meter will be loaded with five kilowatts of power to enabling you to settle arrears and/or buy new prepaid electricity.

6. What about my prepaid meter?

Prepaid meters will be installed in all other homes in the long term. This will be in another planned roll-out.

7. The meter

Where the meter is inside the boundaries of the property the new prepaid meter will also be installed.

The contractor must provide the user manual or instructions on the use of the meter on installation along with the keypad.

8. Where can I top up?

Power can be bought at the following retail outlets: Pick n Pay, SPAR, Shoprite, Prepaid24, BP, Shell, Engen and Sasol garages,

9. Have tariffs increased?

The cost of power per kilowatt remains exactly the same per kilowatt as is currently paid by conventional meters.

10. Contact details of helpline:

Email: MDMS@tshwane.gov.za

After hours: 063-697-5440/ 063-697-5422

Appointments and enquiries: 012-358-3238/9 / 012-358-1674/ 012-358-3201/ 012-358-3014 / 012- 358-3012 / 012-358-6709

Power failure and customer care: 082-612-0333 (SMS power; account number)
44676 (SMS power; account number) 012-358-9999.

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