The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has noted Nersa’s decision to grant Eskom an 18.65% power price increase. Considering South Africa’s current economic climate, and the precarious state of power provision, this decision is both irrational and unreasonable.
South African consumers cannot take yet another body blow, as millions are already struggling to pay their bills and put food on the table. In addition, SMMEs – without the purchasing power of the bigger corporates – are suffering and collapsing. Not only will this price hike push many to breaking point, but when businesses are forced to close, employees are left without an income, or the means to take care of their families.
Eskom has clearly shown itself unable to provide a stable energy supply, with the country currently at Stage 6 – for the foreseeable future. Why then, are beleaguered consumers being forced to pay more for a sub-par service? This amounts to nothing more than consumer bullying.
Time and time again, Eskom demands bailouts or price hikes in order to ‘keep the lights on’, yet here we are, in the dark. Any additional monies for electricity generation should instead be funnelled towards alternative energy suppliers, so that the country and its people can once and for all be free of the millstone around their neck that is Eskom.
Further, as the IFP, in light of the current circumstances, we are calling on Nersa to review – and reverse – this decision.
MKHULEKO HLENGWA, MP
IFP National Spokesperson
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