Mayor pacifies angry residents – FF Plus

Following the Thembisa protest, Ekurhuleni Mayor Doctor Xhakaza temporarily suspended the controversial fixed electricity surcharge for Tariff A power consumers, in the category known as Inclined Block Tariff (IBT).

However, the FF Plus in the metro described this move as a false promise, arguing the mayor’s decision is unconstitutional because the council had not approved it, and the mayor had no authority to overturn a council resolution.

In addition to the electricity tariff increases for the 2025/26 financial year, the city approved a surcharge to be levied on electricity users, effective from July 1.
The fixed charge provoked a strong public outcry, with angry residents of Thembisa taking to the streets and bringing the area to a standstill in protest against what they call exorbitant electricity charges.

Pressure from protesters saw the mayor, who addressed the angry crowd, make a hasty decision, announcing that the city would temporarily scrap the surcharge, which amounts to R126 (R109 plus VAT), pending a process to find an improved, longer-lasting solution.
Xhakaza said the process could take a few weeks and would include public consultation, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), Eskom and the council’s approval.

Unconstitutional
The Freedom Front Plus in Ekurhuleni weighed in on the hikes, saying the mayor’s announcement was nothing more than an attempt to pacify Thembisa residents.

“His promise to scrap the fixed tariff was not approved by the council and is therefore unconstitutional. His decision carries no legal weight and cannot overturn a council resolution,” said Denise Janse van Rensburg.
“False promises should never be made as a panic response to protest action. The FF Plus calls on the mayor to stop misleading residents and, instead, act within the legal framework and in the best interests of all residents.”

Readers say:
We asked our readers to share their thoughts on the new fixed charges, the rising costs of electricity and their measures to manage their electricity use.
These are some comments:

• Louise Theunissen: There’s no accountability; they do as they please.
• Haley New: Thembisa residents protested, so maybe we should do the same.
• Jacqueline du Plessis: They want to add service fees, but we are still waiting for a message to go and get our token for the units we didn’t get on the first.
• Rina Slabbert: There are no more measures to put in place. We are all going down, thanks to our useless municipality.
• Fiona Slattery: With the ridiculous increase, we expect service delivery. I have started my own load-shedding to cut electricity costs.
• Jaco le Roux: The city has become corrupt and incompetent. You pay more and more to finance their incompetence and corruption. It is not sustainable.
• Marius Cronje: If they spend less on salaries, the service delivery will be better. They are so corrupt.
• Magrieta Jordaan Geldenhuys: This is madness. They are killing our pensioners and people who cannot find work. We, the residents, must pay the price for the stolen R2b to ensure they have a salary, pension and medical aid, yet we receive no service. We cannot afford it.
• Riaan Krugel: People should stand together and not pay rates until the city does something about it. Their brothers are destroying infrastructure, but others must pay.
• Uvesh Harrilall: We residents must bear the costs for the mess of others.
• Abrie Viljoen: I think if it were not for the rumours that the municipality will levy a fee against those with solar panels, most businesses and residents would take steps to implement saving measures. Can the metro clarify its plans on levying solar panels?
• Glynnis Rolfe: An absolute disgrace.