Ramokgopa announces plan to roll out specialised smart meters to fight illegal connections

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has announced plans to roll out specialised smart meters that are designed to identify illegal connections.

The minister addressed members of the media in Pretoria on Thursday, outlining plans to end load reduction in 12 months.

READ: Electricity Minister Ramokgopa: 'We will end load reduction in the next 12 months'

He said once all costs have been determined by Eskom, more than 6 million customers are set to receive the new meters.

Ramokgopa said some other special features are that the meters in the pipeline would determine which customers qualify for free electricity.

He broke down their benefits: "With the rollout of smart meters, if there are those who are delinquent and by delinquency I mean those who have the means to afford and they choose not to pay, we are able to isolate that customer alone."