Mayor urges residents to oppose the 18.65% electricity increase
Residents of the City of Ekurhuleni face another electricity increase as the National Energy Regulator of South Africa approves 18.65% from the 32% proposed by Eskom.
The City of Ekurhuleni regrettably notes the 18.65% rise in energy rates that the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) authorised on January 13.
According to the city’s Executive Mayor, Tania Campbell, the citizens of Ekurhuleni will suffer the burden of this excessive hike, even though it is less than the 32% that Eskom originally wanted.
Daily load-shedding, where the power is out for eight to 12 hours out of every 24, is already a problem for locals.
“This has increased the number of breakdowns of municipal-owned electrical equipment and created an environment conducive to criminal activities such as theft and vandalism. It is atrocious that residents are asked to pay a lot more only to get a lot less,” said the mayor.
Furthermore, Campbell said that this hike, along with any other approved electricity increases, is equivalent to endorsing ineffective leadership and substandard management at the struggling power utility.
“We are vehemently opposed to this increase and any future tariff increases. I call on civil society, business, and other municipalities to oppose this increase,” Campbell concluded.
