Pre-paid split meters were introduced in areas like Soweto because people were tampering with meter boxes and stealing electricity, a civil society conference on the country\u2019s electricity crisis heard on Thursday.<\/p>\n
A split meter is divided into a pad put into each person\u2019s home, while the rest of the device is in a tamper-proof box on the pavement or on a pole outside the house, explained Mbulelo Ncetezo, executive manager for electricity regulation at the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa).<\/p>\n
\u201cSplit metering was brought about by people tampering with the meter reader housing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last month, Soweto residents protested against the installation of the meters, demanding they be removed and that people pay a flat rate for electricity.<\/p>\n
According to a presentation by Eskom senior energy trading engineer, Rogeema Kenny, at Africa Utility Week in May 2012, revenue losses amounted to 82% among 3 788 customers in Chiawelo, Soweto.<\/p>\n
After the split meters and tamper-proof enclosures were installed, revenue loss fell to 14%.<\/p>\n
Soweto owes Eskom billions of rand in unpaid electricity bills.<\/p>\n
Nceteza felt strongly about electricity theft, saying it pushed up electricity prices for those who did pay.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re sabotaging the economy of the country. You should not do that. Don\u2019t steal electricity.\u201d<\/p>\n