Eskom extends meter upgrade deadline for 'zero buyers'

JOHANNESBURG - Eskom has extended its prepaid meter upgrade deadline from Sunday to Monday, specifically for “zero buyers”.

These are prepaid meter customers who haven’t purchased electricity recently.

The utility is currently rolling out a nationwide upgrade for its 6.9 million prepaid meter users, warning that meters could stop accepting tokens from Sunday night. 

Users may also face a R12,000 fine to replace non-compliant meters.

READ: Eskom's deadline to update prepaid electricity meters unrealistic, say anxious Soweto residents

The campaign has sparked outrage in some areas, including Soweto, where long queues, panic, and even reports of fainting have been recorded ahead of the deadline.

Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokoena said the extension only applies to zero buyers, stressing that customers who regularly purchase electricity do not fall under this category.

“Zero buyers in this situation need to go to their legal vending sites with their meter Numbers to buy electricity they will be issued with a Key Change Tokens by the vending agents to make their meters KRN2 compliant.”