The Swartland Municipality in the Western Cape has urged the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to reject Eskom’s application to increase electricity tariffs in 2025.
It says ordinary South Africans should not shoulder the power utility’s financial crisis.
The municipality’s Electrical Engineering Services Director Thys Möller says allowing a hike of up to 43% would put further pressure on local governments to balance their books.
Möller says an increase in electricity tariffs could lead to social unrest because the public is already facing financial constraints.
He presented the municipality’s objections at the recent Nersa public hearings in Cape Town.
Nersa’s public hearings provide a platform for interested stakeholders and the public to engage with Eskom’s plans to increase the price of electricity.
Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town has since said it will consider taking legal action if the proposed increase is granted.
“On behalf of the public, we reject this increase completely, however, if they do go ahead with it we will have to consider every available option including legal recourse because it’s just not right, it’s totally unfair,” says Geordin Hill-Lewis, Cape Town Mayor.
Eskom’s proposed electricity tariff increase rejected:
