eBhudzini Block 3 residents remain in the dark over meter replacement fees

Officials said the municipality will restore power to residents who have made efforts to pay the required fee.

1 hour ago

Lindokuhle Ndhlovu 1 minute read

Block 3 residents at eBhudzini flats in Ackerville remain in the dark after being told to pay for replacement meter boxes, despite power returning to neighbouring Block 6. — Block 3 residents remain in the dark despite transformer replacement. Photo: Lindokuhle Ndhlovu

Block 3 residents of eBhudzini flats in Ackerville remain in the dark after being told to pay for replacement meter boxes, despite power returning to neighbouring Block 6.

The prolonged outage began in April when a transformer exploded, affecting the two blocks.

Although power was restored to Block 6 on August 29, neighbouring residents are still waiting for their lights to be turned back on.

Affected resident Zakhele Zimu expressed frustration over the situation and the municipal requirement for residents to pay for replacement meter boxes before power can be reconnected.

“It’s been almost five months now living in the dark, and now we are told to pay for meter boxes,” said Zimu. “It is so sad because some households have already paid the required fee, but they are still not being assisted.”

Municipality defends replacement fee

Emalahleni Local Municipality MMC for Technical Services Thabang Mathebula explained that meter boxes had previously been installed at eBhudzini flats, but alleged that the infrastructure was removed and damaged by residents.

“For the municipality to replace a damaged meter box, there’s a fee that residents must pay,” Mathebula said.

Payment plan offers 50% relief

The MMC added that after residents voiced their unemployment concerns and inability to afford the estimated R4 000 fee, he negotiated a reduced payment plan on their behalf.

“I advised them to register for an indigent subsidy, then I negotiated on their behalf for the required fee to drop to 50%, with the remaining 50% carried over to their accounts,” Mathebula explained.

Mathebula added that each case would be treated on its own merits.

“If someone has bought the meter box, we will restore power to them. We won’t wait for the rest to buy because we can’t keep other people in the dark when they have already made efforts,” he said.

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— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) October 14, 2026