Buy prepaid electricity
Prepaid electricity meters are widely available throughout Cape Town and are offered as part of our Electricity Generation and Distribution Department's services. We have made buying prepaid electricity easy. You can buy online, or by using your cellphone or by visiting point of sale vendors.
Where to buy prepaid electricity
Prepaid meters must be updated
The current electricity metering software for all prepaid meters in South Africa is due to expire in 2024. We will be rolling-out the meter updates in phases according to
a schedule.
You can buy prepaid electricity via your cellphone or online. You will need to register on one of the following websites first:
You can also buy prepaid electricity at a number of
vendors throughout Cape Town, including supermarkets, pharmacies, service stations, at major banks and ATMs as well as at selected City of Cape Town
Cash Offices.
PLEASE NOTE
The e-Services application does not fully support mobile phone or tablet access – please use your laptop or desktop instead.
Our applications are best viewed using the latest versions of the following web browsers:
Microsoft Edge 138+, Google Chrome 138+, Mozilla Firefox 139+, Apple Safari 18+, Internet Explorer 11 – Final version: 11.0.9600.22617 (Note: End of Life – use Microsoft Edge in IE Mode if required).
Collection of debt via prepaid purchases
In line with our
Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy, if you have any outstanding debt on your municipal account, we may recover the debt via your prepaid electricity purchases.
How does it work?
When you buy prepaid electricity, we deduct a percentage of the value of the electricity and this amount goes towards paying off your debt. This is sometimes referred to as piggy backing.
How much is deducted?
The amount we deduct depends on the value of your property:
- Property valued at R500 000 = 30% to 50%
- Property value at R500 000 to R1 million = 50% to 70%
- Property value at R1 million and above = 70% to 90%
- Commercial properties = 89%
When will the deductions stop?
We will only stop deducting from your prepaid purchases once your debt has been paid off in full.
Please note
The collection of debt via prepaid purchases will continue even if you have entered into an arrangement with the City.
Once you have paid off your debt, the deduction will be stopped. Cancellation of the deduction via prepaid purchases will take effect within 48 hours after we have received the final payment.
If you have settled your debt in full but the prepaid deduction is still continuing, you can contact our Call Centre on
0860 103 089 and request to have it stopped. You must provide proof of payment in order for the deduction to be stopped.
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