The Elderly People Movement for Change has vowed to take the Merafong City Local Municipality to court if it proceeds with the planned rollout of smart meters without first consulting affected communities.
The movement submitted a formal letter of objection to the Municipal Manager and the Speaker on 24 June, arguing that the municipality is violating constitutional provisions by failing to involve residents in decisions that directly affect their lives.
“The Constitution is clear,” said the movement’s chairperson.
“Section 195(1)(e) states that the public must be encouraged to participate in policy-making, while Section 152 requires municipalities to involve communities in matters of local government. This has not happened in Merafong.”
The organisation said the majority of residents expected to be affected live in RDP houses and are unemployed, making the installation of smart meters an additional financial burden.
“People in RDP houses are indigent by definition. They cannot afford smart meters. Government promised free water, free electricity and free housing 32 years ago. Now it’s a U-turn,” the movement said.
Auditor-General’s findings cited
In support of its objections, the movement referred to the Auditor-General’s 2024/25 audit report, which awarded Merafong City Local Municipality a qualified audit opinion.
According to the movement, the report highlighted several financial and service delivery challenges, including approximately R1.6 billion owed to Rand Water and Eskom, resulting in a 40% reduction in supply, water losses of 34%, electricity losses of 48% due to illegal connections and vandalism, debt collection of only 51%, and unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke attributed these challenges to poor financial discipline, weak governance and inadequate consequence management.
“Instead of fixing illegal connections and reducing losses, they want to punish the poor with smart meters,” the movement said, adding that it opposes what it describes as the privatisation of basic services.
Municipality given 14 days
The Elderly People Movement for Change has given the municipality 14 days to suspend the smart meter programme and begin consultations with residents.
Should the municipality fail to respond, the organisation says it will approach the courts to enforce what it believes are residents’ constitutional rights.
“We are not making threats. We are stating a fact. Come 4 November 2026, the ANC will lose many wards to small parties if it continues to ignore the poor and the elderly,” the movement said.
Mapepeza has approached Merafong City Local Municipality for comment. Its response will be published once received.
