Diepkloof residents reject Eskom response to smart meter concerns
After marching to the Eskom head office to hand over a memorandum of demands, residents shared that they are not pleased with the response they received.
After a peaceful march from Diepkloof to the Eskom headquarters at Megawatt Park on May 4, the community of Diepkloof have received a response to their memorandum of demands.
The march was aimed at suspending the smart meter rollout in the communities as it is alleged correct procedures were not being followed.
Different communities joined the march as this has greatly affected Soweto at large.
Community leader Thabo Ngayo gave out the response from Eskom that concluded that smart meters are part of Eskom’s broader strategy to modernise the electricity network, improve service delivery, and ensure fair and efficient energy usage.
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Ngayo said, “We are not pleased with the response we got. Our main aim was to get smart meters to stop in communities and work on a way forward, with the request of a flat rate, however, that was not addressed. We believe that our memorandum was not fully looked into.’’
While community members remained unimpressed with the response as it was being read, they shared that they will wait for National Energy Regulator South Africa (NERSA) and Eskom to meet and engage with them.
“This response is just to bluff the community and hope to make us back down, however, there is no solution or really a valid response to our demands.
“We are still spending a ridiculous amount on electricity alone and we are not being met halfway. However, we still remain resolute on this issue,’’ said Shileiboy Monyela, a community member of Diepkloof.
Another response will be sent back to Eskom while a meeting with both NERSA and Eskom is to be confirmed.
