Swartland Municipality will start the Token Identification Rollover (TID) prepaid electricity meter rollover process in the second week of May 2023.
According to Municipal Manager Joggie Scholtz this will be done with the assistance of Ontec, a service provider appointed to assist with this process.
“The software for all prepaid electricity meters in South Africa will expire in November 2024,” he said. “It is not something unique to South Africa, but an international occurrence. Prepaid electricity meters must be updated before November 2024, or prepaid electricity customers will not be able to recharge their meters with new tokens (the number you get to punch into your meter when buying prepaid electricity).”
The updating of meter software will be done in phases across the Swartland Municipality electricity supply area.
Scholtz says it is important for residents of Abbotsdale, Chatsworth, Kalbaskraal, Koringberg, Riebeek Kasteel, Riebeek-West and Riverlands to note that they are direct Eskom clients, and their updates will be managed and communicated by Eskom.
“Municipal teams assisted by our service provider, Ontec, will visit households with prepaid meters to update the meter software in the coming weeks and months. Swartland Municipality will share the schedule of when and where the teams will be on our Facebook Page, website as well as with the councillors and ward committees for communication with residents in an effort to keep residents informed about the schedule and process.”
To update the meter software the field technician will enter two 20-digit token numbers along with a test token to ensure the meter is updated successfully.
Before the technician enters the above tokens residents are advised to make sure all outstanding electricity tokens are loaded onto the meter. Any unused old tokens cannot be used after this update.
“We therefore urge all prepaid electricity customers to load all electricity purchases into the meter in preparation for your meter update and not to stockpile electricity purchases until after your meter has been updated,” Scholtz said. “For your safety and security teams assisting customers in the field will present identification cards to identify authorised personnel. Please feel free to contact the municipality or service provider if you want to verify any team identifications.”
If you experience any issues after your meter has been updated, please contact Ontec at the Call Centre on 021 928 1800 or 24 hour toll-free number 080 006 0039. Alternatively make use of the 24-hour WhatsApp Line on 066 482 8945 or send an email to servicedesk@ontec.co.za.
