Ekurhuleni tariff process under fire over public participation concerns
Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) shared that the party cannot support a procedurally flawed and unlawful process that violates residents’ right to public participation.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) in the City of Ekurhuleni council has raised concerns over what it describes as a procedurally flawed and unlawful process relating to Eskom-approved tariff increases.
While the party acknowledges that NERSA-approved Eskom tariff increases cannot be avoided, it says it cannot support a process that it believes undermines residents’ constitutional right to public participation.
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VF Plus further argues that the process disregarded a court judgment in which AfriForum successfully challenged the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) on transparency, with the court setting out clear requirements for meaningful public participation.
VF Plus councillor Rudolf Herbst said Council was effectively asked to make a decision before the public had been given an opportunity to participate.
“It is absurd that the Council was asked to decide on the tariffs yesterday (March 26), while the public participation process only officially begins today. Council was, in effect, asked to make a decision before taxpayers and residents were given an opportunity to make their voices heard,” said Herbst.
“This is not only illogical, but also directly contravenes the court’s requirement that at least 30 days must be allowed for public comment.”
The VF Plus also objected strongly to proposals that would have granted the head of the Energy Department extensive powers over future tariff adjustments and structural changes.
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One such proposal sought to allow the official to implement Eskom’s “time-of-use” tariffs and other structural changes immediately, without Council approval or public participation.
Herbst said the proposal was ultimately withdrawn following pressure from VF Plus and other opposition parties.
“This ensures that the power to decide on tariff adjustments does not rest in the hands of a single individual,” he said.
He added that residents must be treated as active participants in governance rather than passive recipients of decisions.
“Ekurhuleni residents are not the Metro’s subjects, but partners in the democratic process who deserve to be heard,” said Herbst.
“The Freedom Front Plus will not allow the Metro to trample on the right to public participation and encourages residents to take part in the process.”
Kempton Express approached the City of Ekurhuleni and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) for comment, but no response had been received at the time of publication.
