It says the meters will help reduce the high rate of illegal electricity use by residents as well as businesses.

Earlier, the municipality found that almost 80% of the residents use electricity illegally – which leads to unreliable power supply.

Currently, most of the wards have had meters installed, mostly in councillors' and the other executive members of the municipality’s homes.

Municipal spokesperson Thabo Kessah said that by the end of April, the installation process must be completed for all wards.

The municipality is trying all possible means to collect revenue to supply stable electricity to residents.

"Service delivery will also be supplied to residents if they start paying for electricity," said Kessah.

The municipality’s Eskom debt is currently running into billions of rand.

OFM News/Tumelo Khotha