VRYHEID KZN: “Why are we paying more for electricity?”

The residents of Vryheid turned to Facebook to vent their dissatisfaction with their new municipal accounts. On the accounts, a fee called ‘Side Management Levy’ of R140 has been charged. Residents want answers from AbaQulusi Local Municipality, since they claim they were not informed prior to the implementation of the levy. Besides the added levy, the escalation in tariffs was also implemented on the new accounts, which added to the frustration of residents… “There is R140 in charges added to the bill for demand / line fees for electricity. Why? Question: Was it included in the electricity policy? And was it approved by the National Electricity Regulator?” Another resident also complained that: “I just got my water & lights account and it’s R1100 more than last month… Where do I complain? I am getting gatvol. We must just pay. No water!!!! Sometimes no electricity and our roads look like sh…t!!!! What is the side management levy basic charge???”

The municipality responded to these complaints as follows:

AbaQulusi Municipality take note of the dissatisfaction with the current high electricity amounts charged to consumers. The municipality implemented the 14,9% increase as per approval by NERSA, with effect from July 2021. It must further be noted that electricity consumption in peak season (June, July and August) is 25% higher than other months, which has resulted in higher-than-normal electricity bills. The R140 network capacity charge was approved by council as part of the 2021/2022 budget. It was realised that all approvals for implementation of the said charge may not have been obtained from NERSA.

Urgent clarity is being sought in this regard and if the approval of the R140 network capacity charge was not granted, this amount will be reversed in the following month’s billing.

Consumers will be updated on progress regarding this matter. Your patience while we are resolving this is highly appreciated.

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