South Africa: Power Price Hikes From Today Require Urgent Action On Electricity Pricing Policy

press release

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is fighting for lower tariffs, and to reform the pricing model as residents and businesses who are directly supplied by Eskom will pay more for less electricity units from today.

This is just another unjustified cost of living increase in which consumers are forced to bear the brunt of Nersa's catastrophic R54,7 billion data error, Eskom's incompetence, years of wastage, and a failed electricity pricing model.

Eskom users are by and large from impoverished areas and will now be forced to carry an additional burden as the utility has implemented its 8,7 percent tariffs for the 2026/27 financial year as approved by Nersa.

Eskom says the increase will enable it to provide a stable and reliable electricity supply. However, the tariff hikes are unaffordable, unjustifiable, and designed to pass the cost of Eskom's operational inefficiencies onto consumers.

These tariff increases put extreme strain on households, small businesses, and manufacturers, with costs often rising far above inflation.

The DA advocates for a new, "fair and transparent" pricing policy that prioritizes affordability, accountability, and the diversification of the energy market.

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