Mogale City dragged to court over electricity tariffs
The high electricity tariffs have led to AfriForum taking Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) to court.
After the electricity tariffs went through the roof in 2024, residents might feel there is no hope. However, AfriForum’s legal team is working to take Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) to the high court.
Morné Mostert, manager for local government affairs at AfriForum said they have filed an urgent court application against MCLM in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria over the increase in electricity tariffs for the 2024/ 25 municipal financial year.
Mostert explains the case, scheduled to be heard on January 28, arises from the municipality’s implementation of Inclining Block Tariffs (IBTs) without communicating this new tariff structure to the public during the municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) roadshows.
• Also read: Krugersdorp residents mobilise legal action and support in tariff hike fight
“Previously, the municipality applied a flat-rate tariff structure. During the roadshows, the municipality merely communicated a 12.7% increase and never mentioned the introduction of the IBT structure. With the IBT structure, tariffs could rise to nearly 30% at certain usage levels. AfriForum argues that this lack of transparency and the excessive increases violate regulatory and ethical standards,” he said.
He further stated that the respondents in the case, which include MCLM, its council and the executive mayor, must notify their intention to oppose the application by January 10 and file their answering affidavits by January 17.
The Krugersdorp News approached MCLM for comment on the matter where MCLM communication officer Refilwe Mahlangu said, “As correctly stated, the matter is scheduled to be heard in court on January 28. Given this, the municipality reserves the right not to comment further, as the matter is sub judice [being considered by the courts and prohibited from public discussion] and consequently cannot be discussed in the media at this time.”
In the January 17 print edition of the Krugersdorp News, there will be a full article covering this topic.
