The amp charge which had been added to residents’ prepaid electricity purchases was suspended after a resolution taken against its implementation during an ordinary council meeting. The virtual meeting, held on August 13, put an end to the tariff introduced at the beginning of July, to allow for thorough public consultations.

Residents buying electricity directly from Thaba Chweu Local Municipality (TCLM) got a rude awakening on July 1 when an amount of R184,23 started being deducted from their accounts. Steelburger/Lydenburg News was contacted about the levy being imposed.

The newspaper managed to establish that this charge was a “new” taxation method for the repayment of the Eskom account which was now just under R1 billion.

Cllr Comfort Sibiya of the DA told the newspaper that the party brought forth a motion to scrap the charge following a cost of supply study. “The motion was passed. We are beyond pleased that this tariff was suspended.

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On previous occasions we showed that the municipality was acting unlawfully implementing these costs after the council has pronounced itself on the matter and suspended the cost of supply tariffs with immediate effect. Engagement with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) also revealed that it did not approve the amp charge nor the 10 per cent electricity increase.”

Sibiya said the municipality implemented the increases in contravention of two very important pieces of legislation; the Consumer and Customer Protection Act and the National Disaster Regulations and Directions Act. “They also failed to conduct a thorough public consultation in conjunction with the Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000.”

He said the purpose of the Consumer and Customer Protection Act and the National Disaster Regulations and Directions Act is to protect consumers and customers from unconscionable, unfair, unreasonable, unjust and improper commercial practices during national disasters (like the Covid-19 pandemic in this instance).

“This victory for the community would not have been possible was it not for the ongoing pressure that was applied to TCLM. The media played a huge role as did civic organisations, the business chamber and the public. We urge the public to take part in public-participation programmes to assist us in combating such unlawful practices.”

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Themba Sibiya, communications manager of TCLM, confirmed that the amp charge has been suspended.

“A comprehensive public-participation programme has been developed where councillors and officials will meet with community members and stakeholders in the various wards. Media platforms such as radio and social media will also be used to further allow the community to interact and make their submissions.

The resolution was necessitated by concerns raised by the public that consultations before the introduction of the amp charge were not adequately done.

“All meetings will be limited to 50 people to comply with Covid-19 regulations. Members of the public are also urged to adhere to regulations by wearing face masks and observing social distancing when attending the meetings.”