‘No need for 60% power hike for domestic users’

KIM HELFRICH

JOHANNESBURG - While SA households are already paying excessively high prices for their electricity many of the country’s industries pay up to 275% less for power.

Add to this the fact that Eskom is selling about a third of its locally-generated power to neighbouring countries, there is “absolutely no need” for domestic consumers to face a more than 60% increase, Solidarity spokesman Jaco Kleynhans said.

He was speaking after a day-long conference called by the trade union to discuss the current energy crisis and attempts to find solutions to it.

“If Eskom is given the go-ahead for its requested 60% plus increase, the South African middle class will be paying more for power than any other developing country.

“Johannesburg households would be charged one of the highest rates in the world taking into account the 275% more domestic users pay when compared to industry.”

Solidarity will early next month mobilise public opinion against the Eskom increase. kimh@citizen.co.za