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Customers queueing at Eskom’s customer service centre in Zola, Soweto.
Scores of people had to endure rain and brave the cold in different parts of Soweto to join long winding queues to sort out their issues with Eskom. This was after the announcement made by the Electricity Minister Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa extending the deadline for those who have bypassed prepaid meter boxes, to next month.
Eskom’s customers known as zero buyers reacted differently on the announcement with some welcoming it with warm hands whilst others raised concerns that the deadline is close.
Consumers say they will try by all means to meet the 13 December deadline.
“We are happy with the extension. We thank the power utility. We will try by all means to sort out our issues with Eskom We will abide by the rules. We are willing to cooperate,” says one of the consumers.
Others say the extended deadline will not be enough for the power utility to deal with such a large number of its clients. Some customers are even suggesting that the deadline be pushed to next year.
“We are so many. Eskom must just extend the deadline up until next year. We have different issues here and we are so many. Others don’t have meter boxes, others have not been paying. This will still take more time from now. They must extend to next year,” says a customer.
VIDEO | Minister Ramokgopa earlier updated the media on how far Eskom is in assisting customers to integrate to the new system.
Criminals taking advantage of customers
Criminals syndicates were taking advantage of the situation, trying to rob desperate and vulnerable Eskom customers.
There were those who were calling customers claiming to be Eskom officials saying that customers must pay a certain amount of money directly to them so that they can get assistance.
“I was approached by a male who told me that actually I am not supposed to queue here, he can come and fix my meter box. It will work. He said I must deposit an amount of R300 to his bank account. That is where I suspected that I am being taken for a ride. I did not do the deposit.”
Eskom has already penalised those who are known as zero buyers for their illegal activities. They will have to pay a once off fine of R6052 or make an arrangement to pay at least R500 a month until their debt is settled.
The power utility has warned that if some customers re-offend, they will be disconnected.
