AfriForum takes strong stance on possible electricity tariff increase in the Free State

In the past few weeks, AfriForum has participated nationwide in the public consultation process regarding Eskom’s proposed electricity tariff increase of 36,15%. The civil rights organisation submitted its written comments on this tariff increase during the Free State’s consultation session on 25 November. In its formal comments, presented in Bloemfontein, AfriForum opposed this excessive tariff increase.

The civil rights organisation pointed out that consumers cannot be expected to take responsibility for the long-standing mismanagement of Eskom. Eskom has submitted its proposed tariff increase for the next three years to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa). The public had until yesterday (Wednesday) to comment on it.

During the public consultation process, AfriForum highlighted the serious economic and social consequences of Eskom’s proposed tariff increase and emphasised how the planned costs will disproportionately burden vulnerable communities, especially low-income households who already spend a large part of their income on electricity. Moreover, rising electricity costs are the driver of cost-push inflation, which increases the price of essentials and exacerbates poverty and inequality.

“It’s outrageous to expect the residents of the Free State to pay almost 40% more for electricity, given that living costs have already increased exponentially over the past few years. Citizens cannot be burdened with the responsibility of trying to resolve the situation at Eskom after the gross mismanagement of the power supplier over the years,” says Christo Groenewald, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for Bloemfontein.

AfriForum’s Manager of Local Government Affairs, Morné Mostert, also expressed his concern about Eskom’s inefficiency and serious management failures during the public consultation session in Gauteng yesterday. “Nersa must not only enforce stricter compliance with regulatory frameworks but must also carry out due diligence at Eskom itself, which will ensure that only legitimate expenditures are included in the tariff calculations.”

AfriForum will carefully monitor the outcome of the public consultation process and act if unfair practices and malpractices are observed.