Using the prepaid metering system as a debt collection weapon denies residents the right to contest alleged debts, says GOOD Party Secretary-General, Brett Herron.
As the City of Cape Town’s Energy Directorate announced a capital investment of R6 billion in electricity grid upgrades and clean energy procurement for its medium-term budget, political parties have criticised it as being a plan that will support the wealthy instead of the poor.
Political parties argue that the poor will continue to live in communities without proper electrical infrastructure, forcing them to make use of illegal connections.
They say the City’s prepaid metering system will continue to see the working-class and the poor being forced into a corner, facing debt collection from the very service they need to keep the lights on.
Some of the investments the City announced include R44.8 million to electrify communities that still require access to electricity.
