Tshwane tackles billing, truant accounts
A Tshwane audit has identified that 35 000 prepaid meters will need to be replaced soon.
Tshwane has embarked on a comprehensive project to fix its billing revenue stream.
MMC for utilities and regional operations and coordination Themba Fosi said the city plans bring its 12 000 truant accounts in line, replace 20 000 unused postpaid meters and fix the vending system to ensure prepaid meters work beyond November 2024.
He said the plan is to ensure a more efficient billing system and reduce financial losses due to faulty meters.
Fosi said the city planned on modernising its infrastructure, improve efficiency and enhance revenue security.
“As outlined in our funding plan, we aimed to instal 12 000 prepaid meters annually for accountholders in arrears and replace 20 000 stagnant conventional [unused postpaid] meters per year.”
He said this would increase its prepaid electricity customer base from the current 286 994.
STATEMENT: Tshwane ensures efficient electricity metering with prepaid meter roll-out. @CityTshwane pic.twitter.com/qLY1SO6C03
— Mayor Cilliers Brink (@tshwane_mayor) April 15, 2024
Fosi said 13 827 prepaid meters had been installed, underscoring the city’s commitment to efficient electricity metering and improved service delivery.
He said 4 637 account holders in arrears had been swapped to prepaid as follows:
– 1 776 in gated estates
– 1 045 to indigent customers
– 624 to customers who opted in
– 562 new connections.
He said 9 190 prepaid meters have been replacements quarterly as follows:
– Quarter 1: 2 294.
– Quarter 2: 4 535.
– Quarter 3: 2 361.
Fosi said the city will start fixing its vending voucher system between May and November to ensure all prepaid meters continue to work past November.
“An audit by the city identified 35 000 prepaid meters that need to be replaced, while the remainder only require a software upgrade for electricity vending.”
He said to update their meters, customers will be issued two 20-digit voucher to input into their meter.
He said the city remains dedicated to serving residents and ensuring that every individual has access to reliable electricity services.
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STATEMENT: Tshwane ensures efficient electricity metering with prepaid meter roll-out. @CityTshwane pic.twitter.com/qLY1SO6C03
— Mayor Cilliers Brink (@tshwane_mayor) April 15, 2024
