KAROO NEWS - The ability to buy municipal electricity units from supermarkets, banks, garages, and smaller stores has proved to be a boon to many consumers, as these outlets are usually open after hours and over weekends, when the municipal offices are closed.

There are almost 90 registered vendors in the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality.

However the process has not been without problems.

There have been numerous complaints recently on social media about vendors adding "commission" when people buy prepaid electricity, usually at the smaller township stores.

Despite previous information that has been conveyed to the community that this is illegal, the problem persists, and seems to be getting worse.

This is a matter of concern, as the most vulnerable and poorest members of the community are most often those affected.

Older folk will often send a child to buy for them, and they accept whatever they are given without question.

In some of the complaints received, residents have even been told that the extra fee is to cover the cost of the ink and paper to print the receipt!

Utilities World is the official vending service provider, and in a written response to questions about overcharging, Sales and Servicing Director Brian Hill confirmed that the company does not in any way approve of an additional fee being charged by vendors to purchase tokens.

Hill stated that a customer should be able to go to any approved vendor or outlet and purchase a prepaid token for the value they require, without any additional service charge.

“It is with regret that we have been made aware of some vendors who are abusing the privilege of providing a vital service to the community” said Hill.

Hill explained that all vendors or shop owners who are licensed to sell tokens to the public are subjected to an application process, and that all vendors are paid a commission for selling prepaid electricity tokens.

He explained that unfortunately the company cannot track all vendor activities as closely as they would hope to, and so urged the public to bring to their attention any vendor who is overcharging.

This can be reported to Utilities World directly by sending an SMS to 34606, giving the customer’s meter number, and the vendor’s name and address. Hill confirmed that anyone found to be in violation of the vendor policy would be immediately removed from the authorised vendor list and forced to stop selling electricity. “Utilities World does not support such unlawful practice” he said.

As an alternative, the matter can be reported to the municipality or a councillor for them to take it further.

Cllr Samantha Graham was contacted directly by a complainant, and after the details were passed on to the municipality’s CFO, the service provider was instructed to terminate the contract of the vendor concerned.

In all, Cllr Graham reported three vendors, but cannot confirm whether they have in fact been closed down.

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