Central SA
Emfuleni resumes smart meter installations after month-long halt─── ZENANDE MPAME 09:43 Thu, 23 Oct 2025
The Emfuleni municipality is looking to recover lost ground after resuming its long-delayed smart meter installation programme.
The more than month-long halt not only disrupted service delivery but also cost the municipality revenue while it is struggling to meet its financial obligations. Smart meter installations were finally resumed on Tuesday (21/10).
The process was halted several weeks ago at the order of public works MMC Tumi Mochawe, which set back the entire programme, leading to financial losses. The interruptions also threatened Emfuleni’s participation in the national treasury’s municipal debt relief programme, which assists the municipality in settling its massive Eskom debt.
The pause resulted in the loss of income from more than a thousand smart meters that could have been operational and generating much-needed revenue. Meter installer BXC confirmed work has resumed.
“It’s very disturbing that Emfuleni Municipality continues to create chaos with the installation of smart meters,” said DA Cllr Maureen Dosoudil. “The latest fiasco is a result of political interference in the administration of the municipality.”
Clause 911A of the Municipal Systems Act states a councillor may not interfere in the administration of the municipality, she added. The public works MMC had no authority to halt the installations.
“This week, the installations were resumed, having caused uncertainty in the community … There’s a court order against Emfuleni that states BXC must install smart meters … Failure to comply with a court order puts the municipality in contempt of court.”
Last month, the Vaal Triangle local authority saw an increase in illegal bypasses through its smart meter programme, costing it revenue. Emfuleni homeowners found guilty of bypassing may face fines of up to R10,000, while business owners could be forced to pay as much as R40,000, the municipality warned.
Vereeniging, with nearly 70 incidents, is most impacted by bypassed smart meters. Three Rivers has more than 60 smart meter bypasses, whereas Vanderbijlpark has at least 55.
An investigation has uncovered three syndicates involving former municipal and BXC employees who allegedly accepted payments to install illegal bypasses on smart meters for homeowners and businesses.
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