Residents clash with city over electricity tariffs in Thembisa public meeting
Tensions ran high at a Thembisa public meeting as residents demanded clarity on rising electricity tariffs, challenging city officials and Nersa representatives on how their payments are spent.
The CoE convened a public meeting to address a recent shutdown in Thembisa over tariff increases.
The meeting was held at the Rabasotho Community Centre on September 27. There, Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, engineers, and representatives of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), engaged with residents.
The shutdown, which had seen residents demand answers from the mayor earlier this year, resulted in the suspension of the controversial fixed charge. However, electricity tariffs remain a contentious issue in the community.
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During the meeting, engineers from the city’s Energy Department explained the process of electricity supply and tariff design.
“Eskom supplies electricity to the municipality, which is then distributed through intake substations, poles, underground networks and meter boxes before reaching residents,” said Sicelo Zulu, an engineer in the department.
“Basic charges are what service users pay. The tariff application process starts with the cost of supply, followed by tariff design to ensure electricity can be sustainably supplied. This process involves public participation, Nersa’s assessment and, ultimately, council approval.”
Xhakaza emphasised the importance of public understanding of the tariff structures.
“The challenge is that when you pay for electricity, you are also covering water and other services,” he said.
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“It is not that Eskom is cheaper, but that different areas have different consumption patterns. Tariff A is for households using up to 600kWh, while those exceeding this fall into Tariff B and pay more.
“Communities have the right to challenge or engage with the city if they believe the formula is unfair.”
Despite detailed explanations, residents expressed anger and frustration at some of the information.
Tensions escalated when it was revealed that part of the revenue is used to repay municipal loans.
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Many questioned why their payments do not get used to improve service delivery in their area.
Thembisa, noted as one of the highest-paying regions in the CoE, remains at the centre of the debate over tariffs, with residents demanding greater accountability and transparency in how their money is spent.
