LIMPOPO – The Electricity Sub-committee of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) hosted a public hearing on Eskom’s sixth multi-year price determination revenue application for the 2025/26, 2026/27 and 2027/28 financial years at Jack Botes Hall in the city on Friday.

The proposed tariff hike of 40% was met with outrage by the public on social media, but the turnout at the event was poor, with only the DA and some organisations which included Build One South Africa, the Limpopo Community Safety Forum and Hands of Hope giving input.

Eskom general manager for electricity, Hasha Tlhotlhalemaje opened the floor with a presentation aiming to convince those present that Eskom’s tariff hikes are justified, although it made provision for a salary increase of 7% for personnel.

DA provincial leader, Lindy Wilson was the voice of the people and said that the DA, on November 14 this year, handed over 200 000 petition signatures from South Africans who strongly oppose Eskom’s proposed 40% electricity price hike to Nersa.

“The DA calls on Nersa to reject the tariff hike, which would unfairly harm millions already struggling with the high cost of living,” Wilson said.

She stressed that these hearings are the platform to show that South Africans are rejecting the idea of paying more because of Eskom’s mismanagement and the enormous debt of ANC-run municipalities.

“Nersa must listen and reject this tariff increase. We urge Nersa to push for accountability within Eskom and find solutions that don’t unfairly burden the public,” she added.

Wilson pointed out that Eskom wants to raise electricity tariffs by an unprecedented 40% in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.

This includes an application to Nersa for a further 36,15% increase for next year, with an additional 4% make-up tariff already approved by Nersa to recover revenue losses from this year and this is directly linked to the non-payment by ANC municipalities.

Wilson explained that a 40% hike means families are forced to choose between putting food on the table and paying for electricity.

“With the cost of living already high, this 40% electricity increase would hurt both families and businesses. People are struggling to make ends meet and this hike would push many over the edge,” she said.

According to Wilson, Eskom has shown a pattern of wasteful spending, with R840m lost on an abandoned housing project at Wilge.

“Last year, Eskom lost R24b, including R5b in irregular spending and R6b in material losses (including R81m to corruption) while ANC-run municipalities owe Eskom R90b. South Africans should not have to pay more to cover Eskom’s financial mismanagement,” Wilson said.

Wilson said that DA-run municipalities are working hard to reduce dependency on Eskom by investing in their own energy solutions.

“Cape Town and other municipalities are launching solar projects and working with Independent Power Producers (IPPs). These projects aim to provide stable, affordable power and shield residents from Eskom’s cost increases, she said.