During the months of September and October prepaid electricity meters in Brackenfell, Vredekloof, Kuils River, Kraaifontein and Joostenberg Vlakte will be updated.
“As the software for all prepaid electricity meters in South Africa will expire in December 2024, prepaid metering software must be updated or residents won’t be able to recharge their meters with new tokens and will be left without power supply,” a City spokesperson explained in a statement to the media last week.
When making a purchase between 1 September and 31 October, residents in the above-mentioned areas will receive two 20-digit update codes along with their usual prepaid token.
Three easy steps are then to be followed.
Enter the first 20-digit update code and wait for it to accept. Then enter the second 20-digit update code and wait for it to accept. After this you can enter the usual 20-digit token to recharge units as normal.
The two 20-digit update codes must be entered into the meter immediately after it has been supplied as no other recharge token will be accepted by the meter. And should a resident throw away their slip they would have to phone the City to get the code as there is currently no way to get a copy at the vendor.
“The prepaid electricity meter software update takes place in a phased manner within the various earmarked areas. Please give the City some time to reach your specific area. It is important to note that the system does not automatically issue residents their update token on the first of the month, but can do so any time during that month with a purchase.
If you only purchase electricity once a month and did not receive your update token, then the update token will be made available to you with your next purchase in the following month. A customer’s electricity units will not be affected by the update but all old tokens must be entered prior to the update being completed.”
According to the City updates to the software of City prepaid electricity meters will not affect the user’s electricity usage in any way as it does not affect the meter’s calibration.
“If a resident suspects that their meter may be faulty, they are encouraged to contact us.”
More than 21 areas in the metro have been reached and approximately 170 000 of the City’ 570 000 pre-paid meters have been updated.
“We plan to go area by area and then at a later date revisit any meters that are not complete regardless of the area. This mop up operation is currently planned for late 2023 and early 2024.
“The new meters installed will eventually all be updated, but we are working through older stock at the moment and the older stock even though newly installed would need to be updated; the new compliant-ready meters are in the City stock stores now. Some of the field staff are already updating the meters if they are on site doing a meter change or site inspection.”
- Residents are encouraged to call the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089 or SMS 31220 for assistance.
