The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) petition to stop Eskom’s tariff increases has garnered huge support.
Currently at over 114,000 signatures, South Africans have thrown some weight behind the party’s petition. It was launched on August 19.
“Eskom wants to hike your electricity bill by 40% in the middle of a cost of living crisis,” said the DA.
“This hike will force millions to make an impossible choice between food and electricity. We refuse to accept a future where electricity is unaffordable for the average household.”
The party added that since 2007, Eskom has increased prices by 450%, while being unable to supply uninterrupted electricity.
“As demand for Eskom energy falls (due to people going off-grid or seeking alternative suppliers), Eskom can impose a ‘make-up’ price to offset income losses from the previous year, resulting in a vicious cycle of rises.”
In April, the energy company announced that it will implement the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) approved average electricity price increase.
“On October 10, 2023, Eskom applied to Nersa for the approval of its Retail Tariff and Structural Adjustment Application (ERTSA) and the Schedule of Tariffs for the period from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025. On December 14, 2023, Nersa determined the tariff increase for 2024/25, applicable to Eskom’s direct customer tariffs from,” Eskom announced.
The founder of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) Desmond D’Sa told IOL that petitions are important, but they (the DA) also need to take action by calling for public hearings, attending public meetings, and community meetings.
“They should call these meetings and ensure that all people are invited to make public utterances against these tariff increases. Also, they need to ascertain the number of people who do not have access to energy and what alternative energy can be utilised that can reach the most vulnerable and impoverished,” he said.
IOL