Emfuleni’s smart meter programme – one of the most advanced in Gauteng – is staggering under a huge surge in illegal bypasses, which are also inflicting major revenue losses on the local municipality, which is already under severe financial strain.

“Bypassing is theft from your neighbour and our community and must be fought tooth and nail by ELM and BXC through an effective strategy that will prevent bypasses and bring consequences to bear for those implicated, including those who do bypasses for pay,” says DA Councillor Maureen Dosoudil.

Electricity is the main source of revenue for ELM, which is compelled by both the National Treasury and its own Council Resolution to install smart meters to ensure revenue generation and revenue security.

A Vaalweekblad investigation into smart meter bypassing has revealed that at least three syndicates and former municipal/BXC employees are involved in taking money to implement bypasses for home owners and businesses with smart meters.

This was confirmed by ELM spokesperson Makhosonke Sangweni, who said ELM was aware of former smart meter contractors doing bypasses for financial gain.

The area worst affected by bypassed smart meters in Emfuleni is Three Rivers in Vereeniging, where almost 70 bypasses have been identified.

In Vanderbijlpark, bypasses are mushrooming in CE1, SE2, SE6, and SE7, costing ELM an average of approximately R2,000 per month per account.

It is believed that at least 62 bypasses on smart meters are live in Three Rivers, and at least 55 in Vanderbijlpark.

BXC has repeatedly emphasised that electricity revenue from smart meters goes directly to Eskom and is not kept or managed by BXC.