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People’s Post
Cynthia Bernickow is one of the residents who has already switched to a prepaid meter.
WOODSTOCK
Replacement project under way SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS @Samantha_Lee121
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oodstock has been identified as one of the several communities to benefit from the roll out of electricity meter replacements conducted by the City of Cape Town. The replacement project sees residents switching to prepaid meters. “The City is offering this programme free of charge. It holds many benefits to residents and also the municipality as it is vital to invest in the maintenance and replacement of old infrastructure for a city to thrive and become more resilient. Many credit meters are in excess of 30 years old and are required to be replaced to avoid inaccurate reading,” says Cape Town mayor Dan Plato. “A prepaid meter puts the power in the hands of the customer as it enables them to have more direct control over their usage and household budgeting is made easier as the meters include an in-home display that shows consumption
clearly. It helps to eliminate the chances of month-end electricity account shocks. The chance of electricity supply being cut off due to non-payment is also eliminated when a prepaid meter is installed. The risk of meter failure is furthermore reduced.” The order in which areas benefit is determined based on the number of electricity meters in need of replacement. Other areas also benefiting from the initiative is the City Centre, Fresnaye, Three Anchor Bay, Schotsche Kloof, Hout Bay, Mowbray, Pinelands and Edgemead, among others. “One of the greatest advantages of switching to a prepaid meter is that it enables qualifying customers to move to the subsidised Lifeline tariff. This would make it possible for them to access financial aid and free units and help to keep monthly household utility costs down,” says Mayco member for energy and climate change, Phindile Maxiti. “It is important to emphasise that, contrary to the urban myth, electricity is not more expensive via a prepaid meter.
It actually enables customers to limit or reduce their usage directly and manage their household expenditure. We encourage customers to join others in making the switch and reaping the potential rewards.” The new prepaid meter is located outside on the street, with an in-house display provided inside the customer’s property. Locating the meter outside the premises allows the City to more easily access the meter. Residents have, however, been warned to be weary of a scam that sees a group posing as municipal workers to gain entry to homes. The City says men pose as City electricity officials and they carry some form of identification. The modus operandi include them visiting residents at their homes and insisting they open the front door so that electricity infrastructure, including the meter, can be checked. While one scammer talks to the resident, the other steals small, personal items. V Continued on page 4.