COSATU denounces NERSA’s callous decision to approve an 18% electricity tariff increase for Eskom
13 January 2023
The National Electricity Regulator of South Africa (NERSA)’s approval of an 18% increase in electricity tariffs, from 1 April 2023, is insensitive and careless. This will be a devastating blow to workers and businesses struggling to survive in an economy that is still reeling from Covid-19 lockdowns and rampant inflation.
Whilst this increase is less than the 32% hike Eskom requested, it will still be devastating for the unemployed and those who are dealing with wage stagnation. It will be a further burden to companies struggling to keep afloat because of a stagnant economy.
The continuous above inflation increases that Eskom has received since 2006 are nothing more than legalised robbery of consumers. These increases only serve to pickpocket workers of their meagre wages, suffocate businesses and deny the economy the chance to reduce unemployment.
It is obvious that they are not a solution to Eskom. The power utility has become addicted to them and it has so far failed to come out with any tangible funding model for itself.