- Cape Town residents protest new prepaid meters, claiming they have seen significant increases in electricity costs, which have led them to reduce spending on basic needs.
- The City of Cape Town asserts that the new meters do not affect unit prices and attributes higher costs to factors like faulty meter replacements and Eskom price hikes.
On August 22, 2024, over 100 residents of South Africa in Cape Town, Lavender Hill, halted traffic on Prince George Drive to protest soaring electricity costs, which they attribute to the recent installation of new prepaid meters. The demonstrators formed a human chain across the road, causing significant disruptions as motorists were forced to find alternative routes.
Despite a brief flare-up of a fire, the protest remained peaceful, with law enforcement present to manage the situation. Tasneen Davids, a resident and protest organiser, expressed the dire impact on the community, particularly among pensioners.
“Our people are facing a critical situation,” Davids said. “Pensioners, who rely on grants, borrow money to cover their electricity bills. This situation affects their power bills and their ability to afford food, water, and rent.”
The protestors allege that their electricity costs have surged dramatically since the new meters were installed. Fatima Isaacs, who participated in the demonstration, claimed that her monthly bill had doubled from R250 to R500. “We are eating less food because we have to pay more for electricity,” Isaacs lamented, calling Eskom to reduce the price.
In response, The Local government and its officials stated that the new meters are not responsible for increased costs. They clarified that the compulsory meter replacements do not change the cost per unit of electricity, and any discrepancies in bills could be due to several factors, including faulty meters being replaced or recent Eskom price hikes.
The city also noted a rise in prepaid meter tampering, which may be contributing to perceived higher costs.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has urged the National Energy Regulator (NERSA) to reject Eskom’s proposed 44% electricity price hike, citing the broader cost-of-living crisis. The city offers subsidised electricity to qualifying households and significant reductions for those consuming fewer than 450 monthly units.
Despite these measures, residents like Jainap Lewis, who spends over R2,000 a month on electricity despite using a gas stove, and Mark Schrikker, whose household bill exceeds R3,000, are struggling. Schrikker, chairperson of the 7945 Community Action Group, warned that the community’s frustration could lead to further unrest if the issue remains unresolved. The residents vowed to continue their protests until their concerns are addressed.