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Office of The Executive Mayor

EXECUTIVE MAYOR DISAPPOINTED BY NERSA INCREASE OF 18.65% ELECTRICITY TARIFF

By Kgotso Motlhatswi 1070

The City of Ekurhuleni sadly notes the 18.65% electricity tariff increase approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).

While this increase may be less that the 32% initially requested by ESKOM, already financially stretched residents of Ekurhuleni are going to bear the brunt of this exorbitant increase.

Residents are already plagued by daily loadshedding where power is off anywhere between 8-12 hours in a 24-hour cycle.

This has increased the number of breakdowns of municipal-owned electrical equipment and has created an environment conducive to criminal activities such as theft and vandalism.

It is atrocious that residents are being asked to pay a lot more, only to get a lot less.

This increase, and any further approved electricity tariff increases, is tantamount to the endorsement of poor management and incompetence at the failing power utility. We are vehemently opposed to this increase and any future tariff increases.  I call on civil society, business and other municipalities to oppose this increase.