Outa to challenge Nersa’s decision in court
JOBURG – According to Nersa, the decision to grant Eskom a 9.4 per cent tariff hike was fair and reasonable.
Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) is set to challenge Nersa’s (National Energy Regulator of South Africa) decision to permit Eskom to implement a 9.4 per cent tariff increase.
The organisation’s chairperson Wayne Duvenage said they did not make the decision to approach the courts lightly, but were left with no other option.
Outa is expected to approach the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on 31 March in an attempt to obtain an interdict against the implementation of the increase.
“Nersa and Eskom transgressed their procedure and did not give the public an opportunity to scrutinise the decision,” said Duvenage.
According to Outa, Nersa had declined to provide details around their decision that gave rise to the implementation of the higher tariff. When Outa sought answers, Nersa cited possible confidential information which had to be cleared with Eskom first before it is released to the public.
“Our country has gone from being one of the top five best electricity producing countries 15 years ago to being the worst now. People are already feeling the pain. This has a massive impact on our economy,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Nersa spokesperson Charles Hlebela explained that Outa was within its right to challenge their decision in court.
He said they would oppose Outa in court since their decision was fair. “We have a document that explains why we took that decision. It is fair and reasonable and it needed to be taken to ensure stability,” he concluded.
The electricity tariff hike will come into effect on 1 April.
Details: Nersa, 012 401 4600; Outa, 087 170 0639.
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