Prepaid Meter – South Africans using prepaid electricity meters are facing an urgent deadline. From September 1, 2025, Eskom will begin enforcing a critical nationwide upgrade to prepaid meters through its Token Identifier (TID) rollover program. If you don’t upgrade your meter or recharge it with the correct token before this date, your meter may lock, leaving you without electricity – and without warning. The upgrade, known as the “TID rollover”, is essential to prevent prepaid meters from rejecting recharge tokens. Every prepaid meter in the country is programmed to accept tokens only up to a specific date. After this limit—set for November 24, 2024—tokens generated without the update will be automatically rejected. Eskom has extended the rollout to September 1 for many regions to finalize the transition. This initiative is part of Eskom’s new Tariff Code Rules, which aim to modernize energy systems, enforce stricter consumption tracking, and eliminate outdated token formats. As of now, nearly 6 million prepaid meters are yet to be updated. If consumers don’t act before September 1, their tokens will no longer work, and power supply could be cut off indefinitely. Consumers are urged to check their meters, download the upgrade token, and recharge immediately. Municipalities and private vendors are also accelerating awareness campaigns to ensure no household is left in the dark. In this guide, we will explain everything you need to know about this meter lock, how to upgrade, and where to get help before the September 1 cutoff.
What Is the TID Rollover and Why Is Eskom Locking Prepaid Meter?
Eskom’s Token Identifier (TID) rollover is a digital upgrade to the coding system used in prepaid meters. Every prepaid token has an expiry date, and if the meter isn’t upgraded, it will stop accepting new tokens after a certain point.
- The current token system uses a 24-bit TID number which expires in November 2024
- Eskom is implementing a nationwide rollover to reset this number and prevent failures
- If you don’t upgrade by the September 1 extension, your meter may permanently reject all recharge tokens
- New tariff codes also bring updated pricing structures and compliance protocols
Key Reasons Behind the Lockout
- Preventing token failures after November 2024
- Rolling out smart meter technology nationwide
- Aligning tariffs and meter standards across provinces
- Eliminating ghost meters and fraudulent token use
- Ensuring accurate billing and credit reconciliation
Who Will Be Affected by the September 1 Prepaid Meter Lock?
If you’re using a prepaid meter that hasn’t been updated through the TID rollover system, you’re at risk. This includes both Eskom and municipal customers.
- Residential consumers using STS-compliant prepaid meters
- Households that haven’t recharged recently or ignored token warnings
- Rural and informal settlements with outdated infrastructure
- Small businesses dependent on prepaid supply
High-Risk Areas According to Eskom
Below is a table of provinces and municipalities with the highest number of outdated meters still pending upgrade:
| Province | Municipality | Meters Needing Upgrade | At-Risk Households | Eskom/Municipal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gauteng | City of Johannesburg | 415,000 | 350,000 | Eskom & Municipal |
| KwaZulu-Natal | eThekwini Metro | 298,000 | 276,000 | Municipal |
| Western Cape | Cape Town | 210,000 | 190,000 | Municipal |
| Eastern Cape | Buffalo City | 165,000 | 150,000 | Eskom |
| Limpopo | Polokwane | 143,000 | 130,000 | Eskom |
| North West | Mahikeng | 122,000 | 100,000 | Eskom |
| Free State | Mangaung | 105,000 | 95,000 | Municipal |
How to Check If Your Meter Is Affected and What to Do Before Lockout
It’s very important to act now to avoid electricity supply interruption. If your meter is outdated, it will need two special tokens generated through Eskom’s TID upgrade system.
Steps to Check and Recharge Your Meter
- Look at your latest prepaid token slip — if it includes two 20-digit numbers, it means you’re part of the upgrade.
- If not, try recharging R10. If rejected, your meter is already expired or incompatible.
- Contact your municipality or Eskom branch for the TID upgrade code.
- Enter the first 20-digit token to clear the old TID.
- Enter the second 20-digit token to update to the new format.
- Only after both are accepted should you load your normal prepaid token.
Municipalities Providing Free TID Tokens
| Municipality | How to Get Upgrade Tokens | Hotline Number | Walk-in Centre Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg | Via eJoburg or SMS | 0860 56 28 74 | Yes |
| eThekwini Metro | Prepaid Vendor or App | 0800 311 111 | Yes |
| Cape Town | Email + Online Portal | 0860 103 089 | Yes |
| Buffalo City | WhatsApp Chat + Vendor Code | 043 705 1000 | Limited |
| Polokwane | Eskom Branch Direct | 015 291 1000 | Yes |
Understanding the New Eskom Tariff Code Rules from September
Eskom’s updated tariff rules go live September 1, including the prepaid meter upgrade. These changes may also affect your monthly electricity costs depending on usage band and location.
New Tariff Structure Breakdown
| Tariff Category | Old Rate (per kWh) | New Rate (per kWh) | Monthly Threshold | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifeline (0–350 kWh) | R1.43 | R1.61 | 350 kWh | Subsidised for poor homes |
| Home Standard | R1.95 | R2.17 | 600 kWh | Most urban households |
| Small Business | R2.13 | R2.45 | Unlimited | Flat rate |
| Rural Agriculture | R1.15 | R1.35 | Seasonal | Seasonal tariffs may vary |
| Bulk Consumers | R0.99 | R1.10 | Min 1,500 kWh | Applicable to complexes |
Impact on Average Household Budgets
The increase in tariffs and possible penalties due to unupdated meters could severely affect budgeting for many households.
- Rises in monthly prepaid costs by R75 to R250
- Penalties for failed token transactions after lockout
- No back-credit for unredeemed tokens after TID lock
- Businesses may face disconnection without commercial upgrade
What to Do If You Miss the September 1 Deadline
If you miss the update before September 1, your meter will likely become non-functional. Immediate support will be required from your supplier.
Emergency Steps After Lockout
- Contact your electricity supplier (Eskom or municipality)
- Provide meter number and location
- Request manual reset token (in person or via call center)
- Follow step-by-step guide from agent to unlock meter
- Keep record of token history and receipts for refund checks
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Updating Meters
Many users fail to upgrade correctly, which may result in tokens being rejected or lost credit.
- Entering only one of the two upgrade tokens
- Recharging with standard token before upgrade is complete
- Not verifying meter number before entering tokens
- Using unverified vendors or third-party apps
Departmental Contact Details for TID Support and Token Recovery
If you are confused or your meter is locked, reach out to the relevant authority below:
| Department | Contact Number | Working Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eskom Customer Support | 08600 37566 | customerservices@eskom.co.za | Mon–Fri 8am to 4:30pm |
| City Power Johannesburg | 011 490 7484 | citypower@joburg.org.za | Mon–Fri 8am to 5pm |
| eThekwini Electricity | 031 311 1111 | electricity@durban.gov.za | Mon–Fri 8am to 3:30pm |
| Cape Town Electricity | 0860 103 089 | electricity@capetown.gov.za | Mon–Fri 8am to 4pm |
| NERSA (For complaints) | 012 401 4600 | complaints@nersa.org.za | Mon–Fri 9am to 5pm |
FAQs of Prepaid Meter
Q1: What happens if I don’t upgrade my meter before September 1?
A: Your meter may lock and reject all future tokens until reset manually.
Q2: Can I upgrade my meter without visiting an Eskom office?
A: Yes, most upgrades can be done via tokens issued by vendors or SMS.
Q3: Will I lose my current electricity credit during the upgrade?
A: No, but always ensure to upgrade before entering new tokens.
Q4: What does the new tariff code mean for households?
A: Expect a slight increase in per-unit cost depending on usage band.
Q5: Can I still use tokens I bought before the upgrade?
A: Only if entered after the upgrade; old format tokens won’t work on locked meters.