Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has offered a Khayelitsha family some relief when she found that Eskom’s behaviour was improper when it disconnected the Khumalos’ electricity.
The Khumalos had been without electricity for six months this year.
Madonsela released her investigation report‚ titled “Who Tampered?“‚ on the family’s situation on Tuesday.
Bus company employee Simone Khumalo‚ 49‚ was forced to rely on the aid of neighbours to do her ironing and bought a gas stove to cook and a paraffin heater to boil water when her electricity connection was stopped.
More than two years months prior‚ Khumalo had notified Eskom that her prepaid electricity meter was faulty.
Eskom says it sent a technician to repair the meter. When no one was home‚ the technician left.
Another technician was only sent back 26 months later when it was discovered that the Khumalos had been benefitting from the faulty meter‚ providing them with free electricity.
Eskom then disconnected the family’s electricity and imposed a tampering and reconnection fee on their account of R12‚000.
The Khumalos denied tampering with the connection‚ however‚ saying they would not have reported the matter if they had.
The family accused Eskom of wrongfully disconnecting their electricity.
In Madonsela’s report she agreed‚ saying the allegation is unsubstantiated.
“Before holding [Khumalo] accountable and disconnecting her pre-paid electricity supply‚ which action Eskom knew would affect her adversely by depriving her an opportunity to buy and use pre-paid electricity‚ Eskom did not engage her...”
She also found that because Eskom had previously found Khumalo guilty of tampering‚ it jumped to that conclusion again when she complained of her faulty meter‚ not giving her a chance to put forward a defence.
Madonsela said Eskom’s error amounted to maladministration.
She also found that the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) which had earlier dealt with the case‚ finding in Eskom’s favour‚ also failed to follow proper procedure.
Madonsela said the tampering fee on Khumalo’s account should be reversed.
Madonsela said‚ however‚ that Khumalo is not a helpless victim and knew she should not have benefitted from the free electricity.
“Mrs Khumalo’s liability with regard to the consumption of electricity without paying for it ... [must be] calculated and reasonable terms [must be] agreed to with her for the payment of the debt.”
Khayelitsha family's R12‚000 Eskom bill to be reduced
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has offered a Khayelitsha family some relief when she found that Eskom’s behaviour was improper when it disconnected the Khumalos’ electricity.
The Khumalos had been without electricity for six months this year.
Madonsela released her investigation report‚ titled “Who Tampered?“‚ on the family’s situation on Tuesday.
Bus company employee Simone Khumalo‚ 49‚ was forced to rely on the aid of neighbours to do her ironing and bought a gas stove to cook and a paraffin heater to boil water when her electricity connection was stopped.
More than two years months prior‚ Khumalo had notified Eskom that her prepaid electricity meter was faulty.
Eskom says it sent a technician to repair the meter. When no one was home‚ the technician left.
Another technician was only sent back 26 months later when it was discovered that the Khumalos had been benefitting from the faulty meter‚ providing them with free electricity.
Eskom then disconnected the family’s electricity and imposed a tampering and reconnection fee on their account of R12‚000.
The Khumalos denied tampering with the connection‚ however‚ saying they would not have reported the matter if they had.
The family accused Eskom of wrongfully disconnecting their electricity.
In Madonsela’s report she agreed‚ saying the allegation is unsubstantiated.
“Before holding [Khumalo] accountable and disconnecting her pre-paid electricity supply‚ which action Eskom knew would affect her adversely by depriving her an opportunity to buy and use pre-paid electricity‚ Eskom did not engage her...”
She also found that because Eskom had previously found Khumalo guilty of tampering‚ it jumped to that conclusion again when she complained of her faulty meter‚ not giving her a chance to put forward a defence.
Madonsela said Eskom’s error amounted to maladministration.
She also found that the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) which had earlier dealt with the case‚ finding in Eskom’s favour‚ also failed to follow proper procedure.
Madonsela said the tampering fee on Khumalo’s account should be reversed.
Madonsela said‚ however‚ that Khumalo is not a helpless victim and knew she should not have benefitted from the free electricity.
“Mrs Khumalo’s liability with regard to the consumption of electricity without paying for it ... [must be] calculated and reasonable terms [must be] agreed to with her for the payment of the debt.”
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