Executive mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni Tania Campbell said the 18.65% electricity tariff increase, coupled with increased rolling blackouts, poses a threat to the lives and livelihoods of residents who already battle to afford their daily basic needs.
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Campbell noted that this increase comes when Eskom is battling to keep the lights on, forcing the public to continue to contend with load-shedding daily, now at stage six.
South Africans will pay more for electricity after the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa) decision to grant Eskom the almost 19% price hike for the 2023/2024 financial year, which starts on April 1.
Nersa announced on January 12 that Eskom is allowed to increase electricity tariffs by 18.65%. The state-owned power utility also applied for a further 22.52% increase for the 2024/25 financial year, but Nersa granted it only a 12.74% increase.
“While this increase may be less than the 32% initially requested by Eskom, already financially stretched residents of Ekurhuleni will bear the brunt of this exorbitant increase.
“Residents are plagued by daily load-shedding where power is off for eight to 12 hours in a 24-hour cycle,” said Campbell in a statement.
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According to her, load-shedding has increased breakdowns of council-owned power infrastructure. It has also created an environment conducive to criminal activities.
“It is atrocious that residents must pay a lot more only to get a lot less.
“This increase, and any further approved electricity tariff increases, is tantamount to the endorsement of poor management and incompetence at the failing power utility.
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“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.”
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