Meter tampering costs millions

One in every seven households in Nelson Mandela Bay is believed to have tampered with its prepaid electricity meter in the last financial year, costing the municipality millions of rands in lost revenue.

In addition, tens of thousands of water and electricity meters were either broken or faulty and did not give correct readings.

This, along with technical losses and leaks, accounted for the combined R461-million in water and power losses for the 2015-16 year.

The details are contained in the latest audit report by the auditor general for the 2015-16 financial year, which highlighted serious concerns with the department that handles tenders – supply chain management.