A growing dispute over the installation of split prepaid electricity meters is escalating between residents of Ventersdorp and the JB Marks Local Municipality. The municipality cites a critical need to recover over R1.5 billion in unpaid services, but many residents are vowing to physically block the program, claiming they were never properly consulted.
The municipal initiative, which began several months ago, is described by officials as a strategic measure to improve billing accuracy, reduce illegal connections, and strengthen overall revenue collection. The municipality claims that 68% of consumers in Ventersdorp are not paying for electricity, contributing significantly to the massive debt owed for services including water and power.
However, this financial justification has failed to win over a faction of the community. A resident representative, speaking at a gathering, stated that the community would not allow the installations to proceed without formal consultation.
“As of now, I don’t think we would allow them,” the resident said. “We are actually expecting them to be here with us because it’s us now who are coming back and begging for them to come and formally present this program unto us so that we may be in a position to reason with them as to what is our position pertaining the matter.”
The municipality has firmly dismissed the assertion that there was no consultation. A municipal official recounted a meeting held in Ventersdorp the previous week, stating that the rollout program was presented to the community. The official claimed that only 14 people initially sought clarity and that no one in that group opposed the program outright, instead raising concerns about unemployment hindering their ability to pay rates.
The official alleged that the meeting was later disrupted by a small group, contradicting the widespread opposition now being voiced.
Beyond the consultation issue, practical complaints about the new meters are emerging. One Ventersdorp resident, who already had a split prepaid meter installed months ago, reported significant problems. He claims the meter provides far fewer units for his money than the previous system.
“Per R100, I got 34.3 units,” he stated. “Getting down… it was 24.40 [units] up to now it is 14.40… a decrease in units of plus-minus 20 units per R100 rand, which is too exorbitant.”
He also highlighted a major inconvenience: once the units are depleted, the meter cannot be reset by the homeowner. “You can’t put in the new units without calling your municipality to come and do the work for yourself, which is quite an inconvenience.”
The meter dispute has fueled broader political tensions. Some residents have been calling for the demerger of the JB Marks Local Municipality. They argue that the entity is mismanaging their affairs and are advocating for the reinstatement of a separate Ventersdorp local municipality.
The standoff continues, with residents demanding a halt to the installations until proper dialogue is established, while the municipality insists the program is essential for its financial survival and was introduced through the appropriate channels.
