2.1 Million Prepaid Users Risk Power Outages as Eskom’s Sunday Deadline Nears
The countdown has begun for South Africa’s 2.1 million prepaid electricity users who have yet to recode their meters. This Sunday, November 24, marks the final deadline to update prepaid electricity meters, and failure to comply could leave households in the dark. Eskom has made it clear—there will be no extensions.
What’s Behind the Recoding Chaos?
Eskom’s prepaid meter recoding initiative is a technical upgrade aimed at addressing illegal electricity use and preparing the infrastructure for future updates. Prepaid meters using the outdated Key Revision Number 1 will no longer accept new electricity tokens after November 24. Users who miss the deadline will face service disruptions and additional costs to replace their meters.
Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, emphasized during a recent media briefing that Eskom has gone above and beyond to notify customers over the past eight months. He stated, “This is a hard stop. If you have not re-coded by November 24, there is very little we can do.”
A Nation Scrambles to Meet the Deadline
Long queues and public frustration have marked the lead-up to this critical deadline. In areas like Soweto, prepaid customers have braved hours under the sun, often near unsanitary conditions, to recode their meters at Eskom offices.
Elderly residents have voiced concerns about the arduous process. “They could have sent technicians to our homes to assist,” said Soweto resident Caroline Mbambo. Others expressed discontent with the lack of organization and poor service delivery.
Eskom claims the process should not require a physical visit, but many users have reported challenges with remote recoding options.
What Happens After Sunday?
Users who fail to meet the deadline will face:
- Immediate Power Loss: Meters won’t accept new tokens.
- Costly Replacement: Non-compliant users will need new meters at their own expense.
- Delayed Reconnection: Replacement meters may take time to install due to demand.
Eskom has already recoded 6.9 million meters nationwide, but the remaining 2.1 million users risk being plunged into darkness. Ramokgopa reiterated that users who bypassed electricity payments in the past are among those most affected.
Efforts to Alleviate the Chaos
To mitigate the situation, Eskom has established pop-up centres and extended its working hours. The utility is also using various media platforms to remind customers of the looming deadline.
Despite these efforts, frustrations remain high. Many argue that Eskom’s eight-month rollout window failed to adequately address the needs of the country’s most vulnerable populations.
Final Call to Action
Eskom urges all affected customers to recode their prepaid meters immediately. Time is running out, and Sunday’s deadline is non-negotiable. Visit Eskom’s official website or contact their customer service for guidance on completing the process.
Also read: Midvaal Plans to Replace Eskom with Private Electricity Provider Because of Rising Debt Concerns
