FF Plus criticises CoE electricity tariff meetings as exclusionary

The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) has launched a public participation process regarding proposed electricity tariffs, but the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) has strongly objected to the way the meetings are being conducted.

On September 17, the city announced three public meetings.

The city held two on September 20 at KwaThema Civic Hall, covering the Brakpan, Springs, Nigel, and KwaThema customer care areas.

At the same time, the public meeting at the Boksburg Civic Hall hosted residents from Germiston, Boksburg, Alberton, Thokoza, and Benoni.

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The third meeting will take place on September 27 at Rabasotho Hall for residents of Thembisa Sections 1 and 2, Edenvale, and Kempton Park.

According to FF Plus, the process effectively excludes large sections of the community, despite the city’s assurances that it is lawful.
Clr Jennifer Glover argued that residents are directed to venues far from their communities, with limited transport and one live broadcast promised.

“The Freedom Front Plus has repeatedly raised the matter with the city, but received only a technical and disappointing response from its legal division, which still fails to address the issue of exclusion,” Glover said.

She added that although a virtual participation event is scheduled for September 30 at 18:00, it is not sufficient to ensure meaningful participation in a matter that affects every household financially.

The party has called for broader communication, electronic submission channels, and fairer access for all communities.

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“Public participation should never be a box-ticking exercise – it has to be inclusive, fair and transparent,” Glover said.

The city, however, maintains that it is complying with all legal requirements.

CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini explained that the meetings related to the basic charge introduced in the supply of electricity tariffs schedule for the 2025/26 financial year, specifically affecting users on tariff A.2.

“Council decided in late July 2025 to temporarily suspend the basic charges pending structured public consultation with the affected customers.

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“The city has clustered the wards that receive their electricity from the municipality and are on Tariff A2. In addition to the three physical meetings, one virtual meeting will be held before the end of September to allow community members who could not attend in person to participate.

“The city adheres to both the MFMA and the Municipal Systems Act, which is why these consultations are taking place,” Dlamini said.

The FF Plus has indicated it will closely monitor the process and escalate the matter to the Gauteng Legislature should residents’ rights not be upheld.