With Mogale City Local Municipality’s (MCLM) recent announcement of a proposed 12.20% increase in existing electricity tariffs, the 1Mogale Ratepayers and Business Forum has shared how community engagement helped secure relief for residents.

Related article: 12.20% electricity hike on the table in Mogale City

According to Jacques van Schoor, director at Krugersdorp Citizens United (KCU), the forum succeeded in securing two immediate changes to the municipality’s proposed 2026/ 27 electricity tariffs during discussions with municipal officials.

Several organisations forming part of the 1Mogale umbrella played a role in opposing the proposed tariff structure. Van Schoor said many standard domestic users could have faced effective increases of between 50% and 60% once tariff baselines and additional charges were taken into account.

He explained that on April 22, representatives from 1Mogale held a formal meeting with municipal electricity, revenue and finance officials. During the meeting, officials confirmed the following changes:

• The proposed 12.2% increase will now be calculated from the lower Block 1 tariff base, instead of the higher Block 2 level that was included in the earlier proposal
• Two new Eskom-related charges – the Legacy Charge and Generator Capacity Charge – have been postponed until the 2027/ 28 financial year

“When residents organise, study the numbers, and engage firmly but constructively, it shows the difference communities can make,” Van Schoor said.

He added that households within the municipality need relief and deserve transparency regarding decisions affecting electricity tariffs.

Van Schoor also said 1Mogale welcomed the municipality’s commitment to improved transparency and public participation in future tariff processes.

According to the forum, the municipality further agreed to:

• Share clearer examples showing the impact of tariffs on households and businesses
• Present Cost of Supply studies in a format that the public can more easily understand
• Improve public access to documents submitted to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa)
• Work towards transparent, ring-fenced electricity budgeting

The revised tariff proposal must still be approved by Nersa before it can be implemented.

Van Schoor concluded by saying the forum supports constructive engagement and hopes there will be no future tariff increases introduced without proper consultation and full public disclosure.