‘Zero Buyers’
By Mpho Moloi
Eskom has announced that the grace period for ‘zero buyers’—customers using electricity without legitimate payment—to regularise their accounts and update their prepaid meters to Key Revision Number 2 (KRN2) concludes on Friday, 13 December 2024. Customers who visit Eskom centres by this date and settle any outstanding tamper fines will have their meters repaired or replaced, electricity supply restored, and accounts regularised without additional charges.
‘Zero buyers’ refer to individuals who consume electricity without purchasing it through authorised channels, often by bypassing or tampering with meters or buying tokens from illegal vendors. Eskom has been actively encouraging these users to come forward and legalise their connections. The utility’s recent campaigns over the past 18 months have appealed to electricity users to regularise accounts and purchase electricity from legal vendors.
Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, “We hope that by the deadline, all customers may at least have made their meters KRN2 compliant.” 
The KRN2 upgrade is crucial for the continued functionality of prepaid meters. Following the completion of the Key Revision Number (KRN) rollover project, 5.4 million prepaid customers were successfully transitioned, including 400,000 former zero buyers, to the updated KRN2 system. This project, combined with a comprehensive data cleanup, has increased Eskom’s customer base from 6.91 million to 7.25 million. 
Customers who miss the 13 December deadline will face penalties and service disruptions. Eskom has warned that starting from 14 December 2024, it will intensify the auditing of meters and installations, which may include issuing tamper fines of up to R12,000 and potentially involve criminal charges for repeated offences. 
To avoid these severe penalties, Eskom urges customers to resolve their issues within the grace period. Customers with lost, tampered, or bypassed meters are also encouraged to come forward so their cases can be resolved. Tamper fines will be assessed, and necessary meter updates or replacements will be scheduled. 
For those who have visited Eskom centres and received a reference number, tamper fine payments can be completed online or at the bank without needing to return to the centre. Eskom will keep customers updated via SMS. Customers are reminded that Eskom centres do not accept cash payments and they should not offer cash at any location.
Eligible households are also encouraged to check their qualification for the Free Basic Electricity (FBE) grant, which provides 50kWh of electricity per month.
Eskom’s efforts to regularise accounts and update prepaid meters are part of a broader strategy to enhance revenue collection and ensure the sustainability of electricity supply. By addressing issues related to illegal connections and meter tampering, Eskom aims to improve service delivery and reduce financial losses.
Customers are urged to take immediate action to comply with the requirements and avoid penalties. For assistance, Eskom customers can call 0860 037 566. 
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