Eskom’s Sunday deadline leaves residents frustrated

Frustration amongst South Africans continues to simmer as they rush to recode their electricity meters ahead of Sunday’s deadline.

At least 6.9 million meters have already been successfully re-coded – with over 2 million that still need to be migrated.

Scores of Eskom customers have flocked to the power utility’s offices across the country.

Eskom has warned that customers will lose power, and their meters will not operate if not updated by Sunday.

Replacing a meter will cost each customer about R12 000.

Yesterday, Electricity and Energy Minister, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, warned that the deadline will not be extended.

He, however, informed those who are connected to the grid, illegally, to visit Eskom offices from Monday.

Those who’ve bridged their meters will not be assisted before the Sunday deadline.

Residents in Soweto have been queuing since Tuesday.

A woman collapsed at the offices in Zola today, while a man collapsed and died at the Orlando East Community Hall around 4 am yesterday.

He had apparently forgotten to take his medication as he rushed to make it to the front of the line.

Residents blame Eskom of not doing enough to educate and create awareness on the re-coding.

Some have raised concerns over the health of the elderly waiting for hours.

Eskom’s Amanda Qithi says the utility has lost millions from zero buyers.

Qithi says that out of the over 800 000 prepaid customers in Gauteng alone, more than 400 000 are zero buyers.

She says the updating of the meters’ campaign will help the power utility collect all the data of its customers and be able to identify those who are on the grid illegally.