Enoch Mgijima Municipality to Take Strong Action Against Smart Meter Tampering

KOMANI, South Africa — October 16, 2025 — The Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) has issued a stern warning to residents after detecting several cases of tampering with newly installed smart electricity meters in Mlungisi and Ezibeleni. The municipality has confirmed that seven meters were found to have been interfered with, triggering an automatic alert from the system’s remote monitoring feature.

Municipal officials have confirmed that an investigation is currently underway, and harsh action will be taken against those responsible. The municipality stated that tampered meters and the entire related infrastructure will be removed, and criminal charges will be opened against customers and any individuals found to be involved.

The new smart metering system, introduced to curb widespread electricity losses and illegal connections, has proven capable of remotely detecting tampering in real time. The technology enables the municipality to track irregularities in consumption patterns and act swiftly to prevent further losses.

Smart Meter Rollout Progress

To date, over 7,000 smart meters have been successfully installed across Mlungisi and Ezibeleni as part of EMLM’s drive to modernize electricity management and reduce non-technical losses. The system’s tamper detection capability is now fully operational and already showing positive results in identifying illegal activity.

In order to accelerate the rollout and support local economic development, the municipality’s main contractor hired 10 qualified local contractors to participate in the project. This approach has significantly increased installation capacity, allowing the teams to complete over 200 meter installations per day.

The municipality said the collaboration with local businesses not only ensures faster progress but also contributes to skills development and job creation within the community.

Zero Tolerance for Illegal Connections

The municipality reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on tampering, illegal connections, and electricity theft. Officials warned that such actions threaten the sustainability of power distribution, increase operational costs, and directly impact law-abiding residents who rely on stable service delivery.

According to EMLM, the region has been battling electricity distribution losses of up to 49%, largely due to illegal connections and energy theft. The rollout of smart meters forms a core part of the municipality’s strategy to tackle these losses and stabilize its power infrastructure.

Municipal authorities emphasized that tampering not only violates municipal bylaws but also poses serious safety hazards, including the risk of electrocution, fire, and damage to equipment. The smart metering initiative represents a critical investment in technology designed to ensure that every unit of electricity supplied is accurately measured and billed.

Community Support and Cooperation

The municipality has commended community members who have embraced and supported the smart meter rollout, describing their cooperation as vital to the success of the project. EMLM encouraged residents to continue reporting illegal connections, tampering incidents, and any suspicious electrical activity to municipal authorities for immediate action.

Residents have been reminded that the success of the project depends on community vigilance and collective responsibility. By working together, citizens and the municipality can safeguard the electricity network, protect public infrastructure, and ensure a reliable supply of power for all households and businesses.

Smart Meters as a Long-Term Solution

The smart meter system is considered the most effective long-term solution to combat power losses, improve revenue collection, and promote efficient energy use. Through accurate measurement and digital monitoring, the technology provides transparency in billing and helps eliminate human error or manipulation.

The municipality reaffirmed that continued tampering or sabotage of the smart metering system will not be tolerated and will be dealt with decisively and legally. With real-time detection and data analytics, the municipality is now in a stronger position to enforce accountability and protect critical infrastructure.

The initiative is part of a broader energy efficiency and infrastructure modernization programme aimed at improving municipal service delivery, reducing losses, and ensuring financial sustainability.