eThekwini municipality launches prepaid meter initiative for schools

The eThekwini Municipality is currently rolling out prepaid meters to schools in an effort to assist the Department of Education to convert all schools in eThekwini from post paid to prepaid electricity metering. While the programme is currently focusing on schools in debt, it is available to all public schools irrespective of debt status.

Of the 1000 schools that are supplied electricity by the municipality, 66 have applied for prepaid metering. Mayor Cyril Xaba said that the initiative forms part of the city’s debt reduction strategy.

“As the leadership of the city, we have made a commitment to improve revenue collection so that we are able to deliver quality services. At the same time, we must assist customers who have challenges, but willing to pay for services because a happy customer is a paying customer,” said Mr Xaba.

To improve electricity and water debt collection, the city is currently rolling out a smart meter programme. Currently, over 120 000 smart meters have been installed. In line with the electricity turnaround strategy, a further 150 000 electricity smart meters is expected to be rolled out over the next five years.

Meanwhile, Mayor Xaba added that water smart meters are still at the procurement stage. As soon as it has been finalised the municipality will notify the public.