TRANSFORMER REPLACEMENT PROCESS

Eskom in Gauteng is replacing transformers that have failed or exploded due to network overloading caused by illegal connections, meter tampering, vandalism, theft, unauthorised operations, non-payment and electricity token purchases from ghost vendors.

Hundreds of households are without electricity in the areas of Kaalfontein, Allandale, Ebony Park (KAE) and Ivory Park as a result of failed transformers.

Replacement of the transformers is done in phases, after a network audit process, which determines the scope of work.

The replacement process is further influenced by the availability of materiel and resources.

In areas with old meters, Eskom says that these will be replaced or converted to new smart meters. Conventional meters will be replaced with prepaid meters as part of of the process.

Residents who are found to have been involved in illegal activities like meter bypassing, purchase of token to ghost vendors and illegal connections will be disconnected and issued with reconnection fee notices of R6,052.60.

The R6,052.60 is to be paid in full or customers can enter into a payment arrangement with Eskom.

R500 should be paid into the Eskom bank account using details on the disconnection notice issued to them.

Work to replace the failed electricity infrastructure will only commence when a threshold of 60% of customers issued with the reconnection notices have paid the initial R500.

The balance can be paid over a period of 6 months. The disconnection process will be affected should residents not honour the payment arrangement.

Call Eskom Contact Centre on 08600 37566 on Mondays to Saturdays from 08:00 until 16:00.