Concerns over high electricity tariffs

Business owners in Tzaneen have raised concerns about a massive increase in electricity tariffs.

Some concerned business people say that the Greater Tzaneen Municipality has suddenly, without prior notification, started charging them more than double the price of electricity.

One business person who has been hardest hit by the sudden increase of more than 60 percent in the past three month says he can not maintain the exorbitant power bills.

“For example in April I paid just over R10 000, but in July I had to more than R18, 000 despite having used less electricity than in April,” said a business man who spoke out on condition of anonymity.

He said that if the municipality does not cease its extremely high electricity tariff increases, he will have no choice but retrench some of his workers.

Some business owners are so exasperated by the skyrocketing electricity bills and they want municipality to give them a rebate.

Others are saying some municipal officials ask for R500 bribe to keep their electricity connection while they are trying to raise money to pay their bills and if they do not pay the bribe their power is cut off.

Municipal spokesperson, Neville Ndlala said the high electricity bill is caused by a seasonal charge which only applies in winter.

He urged those who have queries regarding their electricity bills to bring their monthly electricity consumption statements to the municipality so that they could be assisted.

Regarding the bribes, Ndlala said the perpetrators should be reported to the municipality as soon as possible.