Stellenbosch Municipality has added its voice to the rejection of Eskom’s latest application for tariff increases, requesting that the application be withdrawn with immediate effect.
This follows Eskom’s most recent application to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) requested a nationwide electricity tariff increase of 32%.
“On behalf of the residents of Stellenbosch Municipality, I reject Eskom’s latest application for an enormous price increase to Nersa in the strongest terms. I request that this application be withdrawn immediately,” Advocate Gesie van Deventer, mayor of Stellenbosch, said in a statement yesterday (Wednesday).
“Our residents simply cannot afford any further increases. These proposed increases are unjustified and unfair. Like the majority of South Africans, many residents and businesses are already struggling to make ends meet. Our residents are bearing the brunt of the rising cost of fuel, food and basic consumer goods. South Africans are constantly being expected to pay more for electricity and poor service.”
Van Deventer added any increase should be in line with the consumer price index (CPI), and that a 32% increase is “outrageous” and “simply unaffordable”, especially given the fact that 2022 is the worst year of load shedding on record.
“As a municipality, we strongly object to any further increases above inflation and we implore Nersa to reject it outright.”
