The Keetmanshoop Municipality is urging residents that have illegal electricity meters to register for its Keetmanshoop Electricity Business Unit (KEBU) electricity amnesty campaign. The campaign started on 5 February and runs until 31 May 2021. In an interview with NAMPA, the municipality’s spokesperson Dawn Kruger said customers who suspect their electricity meter is tampered with or is unbilled, should register for the amnesty campaign. She said the campaign aims to educate and create awareness among residents of the effects of tampering with electricity meters; to maximise revenue collection through accurate metering and to reduce possible tampering and unbilled meters. Kruger said currently it is suspected that there is a possible revenue loss of at least 10% caused by illegal connections and unbilled meters, adding that the municipality is also suspecting damage to property due to tampered meters. “We are not able to recover debts, in many instances customers are unable to pay debts presented to them as a result of tampering and unbilled meters and there is a potential to negatively impact service delivery,” Kruger stated. The Keetmanshoop Municipality spends at least N$5 million on electricity every month. Tampering with electricity is considered to be a criminal offence and anyone found doing so for the first time will be fined N$6 000, while second offenders are liable for a N$12 000 fine and third-time offenders, N$16 000. Kruger added that if customers register within the amnesty period all charges will be waived. For those who fail to register and where KEBU finds a tampered installation, all applicable charges will apply. “No questions will be asked so customers are encouraged to register during this period when a customer is registered it is required that they pay N$229 which is non-refundable,” she said. -NAMPA