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Smart Ways to Buy Prepaid Electricity in South Africa

Prepaid electricity offers flexibility and control, but without proper planning, it can lead to unexpected costs. Many South African municipalities use an inclined block tariff system, which means the more electricity you buy in a month, the higher the rate per unit becomes. Understanding this system is key to saving money and managing your household energy efficiently.

What Is An Inclined Block Tariff?

An inclined block tariff is a pricing structure where electricity is divided into blocks based on usage. As your monthly consumption increases, you move into higher blocks with more expensive rates per kWh.

Key Points:

  • The more electricity you consume or purchase within a month, the higher the tariff will be.
  • It doesn’t matter when in a month you buy prepaid electricity, it depends on the total kWh purchased for that month.
  • Rule of thumb: If you normally use around R1,000 of electricity per month and notice your balance is low near month-end, avoid making a large prepaid purchase.
  • A large top-up near month-end could push you into the next tariff block, where the rate per unit is higher.
  • Instead, buy a small amount (e.g. R100) to get you through to the new month, when the inclined block tariffs reset to start again from zero.

Planning your prepaid purchases can help save costs during winter months, when most households use more electricity (heaters, geysers, heated blankets, underfloor heating, and cooking).
Purchasing more kWh in summer (taking the block structure into account) can also help offset higher consumption during winter and tariff increase periods.

For assistance with prepaid purchases or tariff advice, please contact our Customer Care Representatives.

Also keep in mind that electricity usage varies between households, not everyone uses the same appliances, has the same number of occupants, or follows the same consumption habits.

When Is the Best Time to Buy?

To avoid higher tariffs:

  • Early in the month: Make your main purchase when the tariff resets.
  • Late in the month: If your balance is low, only top up a small amount (e.g. R100) to get through to the next month.

Example:

If your monthly usage is around R1,000:

  • Buy R900–R1,000 early in the month.
  • Near month-end, avoid buying another R500 — rather top up with R100 to prevent entering a higher tariff block.

Tariff Blocks by Municipality

City of Tshwane (2025/2026)City of Johannesburg (2025/2026)
Block 1: 0–100 kWhBlock 1: 0–350 kWh
Block 2: 101–400 kWhBlock 2: 351–500 kWh
Block 3: 401–650 kWhBlock 3: >500 kWh
Block 4: >650 kWh

Vending Fees Explained

Depending on where you purchase prepaid electricity, vending fees may apply

We recommend purchasing through the MidCity Utilities App or website, as the cost is typically lower than on other vending platforms.

  • MidCity Utilities App / Website: Best value, lowest rate.
  • Retail Stores: May vary depending on third-party agreements.
  • Banking Apps: Fees differ by financial institution.

Manage Your Electricity with the MidCity Utilities App

Buying prepaid electricity is easy with MidCity Utilities. You can buy, manage, and get support, all from your phone.

How the MidCity Utilities App Makes It Easy

  • View your current electricity balance.
  • Monitor your usage trends.
  • Get notifications before your units run out.
  • Recharge instantly from anywhere, no need to manually load tokens on your meter; it’s done automatically.

How to Get Started

  1. Search for MidCity Utilities in the Play Store or App Store.
  2. Download and open the app.
  3. Click on the “Account” tab and follow the registration steps.
  4. Check your email for a verification link (don’t forget to check your spam folder).
  5. Once verified, log in and start managing your utilities with ease.

The email address used on your MidCity Utilities application form should also be used for app registration and access.

Having trouble logging in?

If you receive a message saying your email doesn’t match our system, please send an email to customercare@midcityutilities.co.za with:

  • Your meter number
  • Complex name
  • Unit number
  • Preferred email address

You can also contact our Customer Care Representatives at 071 687 0113 or 082 404 8954.

Download the app today and enjoy convenience at your fingertips.

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How can I purchase pre-paid electricity?

By making use of one of the following:

  • MidCity Utilities App

  • MidCity Utilities Website

  • Internet Banking

  • Unipin vouchers
  • Unipin vouchers can be purchased at registered retailers, garages and other suppliers.
  • When providing your pre-paid meter number to the cashier, the pre-paid purchase will transfer over to the meter automatically.

  • If you do not provide your meter number to the cashier and you receive the voucher slip, you must follow the steps as set out thereon.

  • Make sure you are using the correct meter number.
  • After registering with MidCity Utilities for pre-paid electricity, our Customer Care Personnel will SMS you your meter number.

  • When you register for the Mobile App or on our website, you will also be able to see your meter number.

  • Clients who also request to receive monthly statements, even though they are on pre-paid, will be able to see their meter number on their monthly statement.

  • Contact our Customer Care Personnel.
  • Log in to either our Mobile App or website.

  • SMS the word Balance (space) meter number to 37823. You will receive an SMS with your meter balance and predicted zero balance date.

  • Use your keypad, if you have one.
  • Yes. A low balance notification will be sent to the registered cell phone number that is loaded onto our system.

  • The low balance notification will be sent 48 hours before the calculated depletion date.

  • The depletion date received on the low balance notification, Mobile App or website is an estimation and depends on a client’s consumption habits and changes.

Mobile App or Website

  • The final step in the process on the Mobile App or website will indicate if the transaction was successful.

  • Transfer of credits to the meter can take approximately 10 minutes after the purchase is completed successfully.

  • On the Mobile App, website or SMS balance enquiry, it can take between 30 minutes to an hour to update the effective current balance after a purchase was made.

Internet Banking

  • Confirmation of transaction is provided by your banking service.

  • You will receive an SMS or email with the value of the token as well as the 20-digit code already loaded on your meter.

  • Purchases through Internet Banking can take approximately 30 minutes to transfer over to the meter.

  • On the Mobile App, website or SMS balance enquiry, it can take between 30 minutes to an hour to update the effective current balance after a purchase was made.

Unipin voucher

  • After following the process reflected on the voucher with your cell phone, you will receive confirmation and notification on your device.

  • Purchases through Unipin vouchers can take approximately 30 minutes to transfer over to the meter.

  • On the Mobile App, website or SMS balance enquiry, it can take between 30 minutes to an hour to update the effective current balance after a purchase was made.