Snl24 | Eskom trips switch on illegal users!

Eskom successfully switched its prepaid customers to KRN 2 through the prepaid meter update project.

NO ESCAPE for over 400 000 South African households that use Eskom’s electricity illegally.

This follows the power utility’s successful conversion of its prepaid customers to KRN 2, a prepaid meter rollover project.

The initiative has turned unlawful users into paying customers. Eskom customers who bought electricity before the deadline and faced issues can still get help.

Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientso Ramokgopa, and Eskom briefed the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy in Parliament on the latest update of the Standard Transfer Specification (STS) – Token Identifier (TID) rollover project for prepaid meters.

Eskom completed the Prepaid Meter Key Revision Number (KRN) project by deadline at 8.15pm on Sunday, 24 November.

Eskom spokeswoman Daphne Mokwena revealed that starting with 6,91 million prepaid customers, all have been converted to KRN 2. After updating incomplete data for 341 000 customers, the utility’s base now stands at 7,25 million.

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As of 24 November, about 5,5 million customers, including 400 000, who have started purchasing electricity, have transitioned to the new system successfully.

The number of customers classified as “zero buyers” decreased to about 1,7 million from a 12-month average of 2,1 million.

Customers are urged to comply by 13 December 2024, by visiting their nearest Eskom sites.

“Zero buyers”, who bought electricity tokens before 24 November 2024 and can’t load them, should return to Eskom centres by 13 December 2024,” Mokwena said.

Monde Bala, Eskom’s Group executive for distribution, said: “In the past 10 days, we’ve seen many zero buyers coming forward to purchase electricity and rectify their status.”

He assured that Eskom would manage the process with dignity and respect.

Eskom CEO Dan Marokane emphasised the utility’s efforts to ensure all users pay for electricity to support those already paying, maintain sustainability for Mzansi’s economic growth, and reduce the tax burden.