Eskom has another 400,000 paying customers

By Akani Nkuna

A total of 400,000 non-paying customers have come onto the Eskom grid following the utility updating its pre-paid meters.

However, 1.7 million people have still not upgraded and have been given until 13 December to do so, otherwise they face hefty fines of up to R12,000.

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa told reporters on Wednesday that the new customer acquisitions would significantly contribute to Eskom’s long-term sustainability and maintenance, ultimately leading to the eradication of load-reduction.

“Eskom will have the benefit of having 400,000 [new customers]… if they continue to buy diligently. Eskom will receive a minimum of close to R440 million per month from those who had previously not been paying and now they are paying,” he said in Cape Town.

Ramokgopa was giving an update on Eskom’s Key Revision Number Rollover Programme. He was joined by the utility’s group executive for distribution, Monde Bala.

“When I