Soweto residents plan to sleep outside Eskom service centres in bid to update electricity meters before deadline

Soweto residents plan to sleep outside Eskom service centres in bid to update electricity meters before deadline! Eskom service centres in Soweto are grappling with overwhelming demand as hundreds of residents scramble to update their prepaid electricity meters ahead of Sunday’s critical deadline.

The closure of service centres on Wednesday evening left many customers waiting in frustration, with fears growing that the process may not be completed in time.

The Prepaid Meter Crisis

The looming deadline for updating prepaid electricity meters has created a sense of urgency across Soweto.

Eskom has announced that outdated meters will no longer be functional after Sunday, meaning customers will be unable to load electricity units unless they upgrade. Those who miss the deadline face a daunting R12,000 replacement cost for new meters.

Soweto residents plan to sleep

Determined to avoid these penalties, residents began queuing as early as 3 a.m. on Wednesday. However, the sheer volume of people has strained Eskom’s capacity, forcing centres to close without serving everyone in line.

Service Centres Turn Customers Away

Eskom’s Zola, Pimville, and Mapetla centres issued over 1,200 tickets at the Zola hub alone on Wednesday but began turning customers away at 4:30 p.m.

With many left unattended, tensions grew as residents vowed to spend the night outside the centres to secure their spots.

Some customers suggested that Thursday’s queue should begin with those issued tickets on Wednesday but were not served. However, uncertainty remains, with concerns that even this system may not accommodate the overwhelming demand.

Residents’ Desperation and Frustration

For many Soweto residents, the stakes are high. The cost of replacing outdated meters is prohibitive for most, adding to the stress of meeting the deadline.

Despite assurances from Eskom, the snaking queues and mounting frustration suggest that the utility may not be fully equipped to handle the last-minute rush.

“We will secure our spots using the numbers they gave us,” one customer said, adding that they were prepared to sleep outside the service centre if necessary. Another echoed similar concerns, stating, “They will begin processing tickets from the last one attended to today, but we don’t know if that will be enough.”

Eskom’s Response to the Crisis

Eskom spokesperson Daphney Mokoena has sought to reassure customers, stating that the utility’s systems are designed to handle the high demand and that all qualifying customers would be served before the Sunday deadline.

However, the situation on the ground tells a different story, with service centres unable to meet the influx of customers in a timely manner.

Mokoena emphasized that Eskom is committed to ensuring that no one is left behind. “We are fully equipped to manage this process, and we urge customers to remain patient,” she said. Despite this, the growing queues and unmet demand point to significant logistical challenges.

What Happens After the Deadline?

Customers who fail to upgrade their prepaid meters by Sunday face significant consequences. Their current meters will no longer be usable for loading electricity units, effectively cutting them off from access to power.

Additionally, the R12,000 replacement cost for outdated meters poses a severe financial burden for those unable to complete the process on time.

While Eskom’s promise to serve all qualifying customers provides some hope, the clock is ticking, and many residents fear they will be left in the dark—literally and figuratively.

A Community in Limbo

Back at the Zola hub, queues continued to grow even after the service centre closed on Wednesday evening. The desperation among residents is palpable, as they rely on electricity for their daily lives and livelihoods. The prospect of missing the deadline has left many feeling helpless and frustrated.

Some residents have called for additional measures, such as extending operating hours or deploying more resources to speed up the process. Whether Eskom can rise to the challenge in the coming days remains to be seen.

The Path Forward

With only a few days left before the deadline, Eskom faces a monumental task in addressing the high demand for prepaid meter updates.

Residents, meanwhile, are left anxiously waiting, hoping their determination and patience will pay off. As Sunday approaches, all eyes will be on Eskom to see if it can deliver on its promises and avert a crisis in Soweto.