Political parties have rejected the 12.7% tariff hike approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa).
Eskom had requested a 36% tariff hike, but the energy regulator approved a 12.7% for the 2025/2026 financial year, followed by further hikes of 5.36% for 2026/2027 and 6.19% for 2027/2028. The hike comes into effect on 1 April 2025.
POLITICAL PARTIES SLAM NERSA FOR APPROVING ESKOM TARIFF HIKE
The Democratic Alliance (DA) which launched a national petition that has over 130 000 signatures from South Africans who were opposed to Eskom’s proposed tariff increases said the 12.7% hike afforded to Eskom is 3x the national inflation rate and will put massive additional pressure on the prices of goods and services across the spectrum.
DA spokesperson on Electricity & Energy Kevin Mileham said while this is significantly lower than the nearly 40% tariff increase Eskom applied for, a tariff hike of this magnitude undoes the economic progress and stability of the past six months.
“Rather than raising tariffs, Eskom must be held accountable for its operational inefficiencies and financial mismanagement. Eskom must stop the wasteful spending, address its failure to collect billions in unpaid municipal debts, and ensure that its operations are run efficiently and transparently. Only when these reforms are made can we consider any future price increases,” Mileham said.
Likewise, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) labelled Nersa’s decision reckless and an assault on the working class and the poor who are already grappling with relentless economic hardships.
The party said South Africans should not be forced to pay for the state’s failure to expand power generation capacity or to hold corrupt officials accountable for Eskom’s financial collapse.
Further, the Red Berets demanded an immediate review of Nersa’s tariff approval and called for an immediate intervention to halt the planned tariff increases for 2026 and 2027.
ActionSA said South Africa’s stagnant economic growth remains one of the biggest barriers to reducing poverty and unemployment. The Nersa approved tariff hikes will further stifle economic activity by raising production costs, reducing consumer spending, and limiting potential interest rate cuts.
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