PHALABORWA – Phalaborwa residents are demanding answers from the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality after claiming they have been charged far more than the 9.10% electricity tariff increase approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), effective July 1.

A 30% jump in one month

Homeowner Andrew Molyneaux said his own electricity purchases suggested sharp and inconsistent increases over three consecutive months.

According to Molyneaux, he paid R1 911.69 for 600 units on June 1, before the approved increase took effect. On July 1, the same 600 units cost R2 492.23 (which includes the new service fee), an increase of 30.37% in just 30 days.

New service fee under fire

Molyneaux said he was also concerned about a newly introduced R85 basic service fee, which rises to R97.75 once VAT is included. He said residents had objected during the IDP participation process to any electricity increase above what Nersa had approved.

“We did not agree to this increase, which in some instances, depending on how many units one buys, rises to over 30%,” Molyneaux said.

Council blamed for oversight failure

Molyneaux has written a letter of complaint to the municipal manager highlighting the errors and inconsistency in the application of non-approved tariff’s which remain way in excess of the average tariff increase of 9.01% announced by Nersa.

He also criticised the municipal council, saying it should exercise stronger oversight over administrative decisions.

“This increase has nothing to do with the mayor, but it is an administrative matter which is controlled by the municipal manager and other officials,” he said.

“However, I blame the council, who don’t understand how numbers work. They should not allow the administration to pass an increase which was objected to during the IDP.”

Nersa investigation under way

Civic group Lets Change Ba-Phalaborwa has also reported the matter to Nersa, arguing that residents are being overcharged at a time when many households are already under financial pressure.

According to the group’s Trevor van Rooyen, Nersa has acknowledged receipt of the complaint and indicated that it will respond after a 120-day investigation.

“We cannot allow our people to be paying such high prices; this is at a time when people are struggling to make ends meet,” Van Rooyen said.

Municipality responds

The Herald contacted municipal spokesperson Jonas Mahesu for comment on the tariffs. Mahesu said the charges were linked to the introduction of a new basic service fee that had not previously been in place.

“You buy for R100, they take R97, and you remain with R3; that’s the arrangement for taking the basic,” Mahesu said.