City Power is cracking down on “affluent” customers and businesses who are bypassing their smart prepaid meters to steal electricity from the grid.

A routine inspection by City Power found that over 10 000 meters in affluent areas and businesses have not been vending for over three months. The utility has made the decision to convert all of those found guilty into post-paid customers.

“City Power has spent millions of rands on installing smart meters across Johannesburg and deplores this behaviour by customers who are sitting with non-vending meters only so that they can enjoy free electricity,” said Isaac Mangena, City Power spokesperson.

Mangena explained that, alongside the theft of electricity being a criminal offence, customers who tamper with electrical equipment could cause a network overload, prolonged power outages and may experience dangerous power surges, which can cause fires, serious injuries and fatalities.

Customers who have not been vending for over three months will have their meters automatically converted to post-paid meters by City Power’s authorised technicians. These officials will visit each property to replace the meters. City Power has asked customers to comply with technicians and grant them entry. If the residents are not available, technicians will leave a “no access” letter at the premises.

Customers who refuse technicians access to their premises will be handled by the City Power disconnection team who will ensure that their illegal supply of power is disconnected.