WATCH: Prepaid meter chaos in Empangeni

Hundreds of frustrated residents queued in the rain outside Eskom offices in Empangeni on Monday seeking help to recode their electricity prepaid meters.

Eskom previously urged prepaid electricity customers to recode their meters by 24 November as it will no longer accept tokens unless updated.

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The process requires customers to purchase credit tokens from authorised vendors, after which they will receive two sets of 20-digit codes to enter into their meters for the update.

According to residents, however, the system is already problematic even before the deadline, leaving them without power and unable to purchase tokens.

Residents from across the region, mostly the elderly, have been flocking to the offices for weeks, arriving as early as 5am in the hope of resolving their issues.

“I have been here for over four weeks because I can’t purchase tokens, while those who can buy them are unable to load them onto their meters.

“It’s frustrating because even when we call there is no answer while we continue living in the dark,” said the frustrated 72-year Madoda Mnyandu.

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