Tuesday, 12 November 2024.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) welcomes the decision by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) to reject Eskom’s proposal for a 35% tariff increase, a decision that reflects the urgent need to protect South Africans from the increasing costs of electricity amidst a challenging economic climate.

Eskom’s request of a 35% increase was unreasonable and would have placed an immense financial burden on households, businesses, and the boarder economy. Many South Africans are already struggling to meet basic needs, and such an increase would have only exacerbated poverty and inequality in our communities. With inflationary pressures affecting food, fuel, and other essential goods, an electricity price hike of this magnitude would have pushed countless families deeper into financial hardship.

Electricity is a fundamental public good and should be available at an affordable rate to bolster national economic security and support the development of society. It is unreasonable to expect citizens to shoulder the full costs of electricity, especially when Eskom was established with public funds, making South African electricity among the cheapest in the world due to state investment.

Eskom’s financial struggles are no accident—they are the result of a deliberate collapse engineered to open the door for private profit-seeking. This man-made disaster has pushed Eskom into crisis, while vultures in the private sector await their chance to exploit a broken system for profit. Countries that have allowed private corporations to dominate the energy sector, such as Britain, are now facing the dire consequences of skyrocketing prices and energy insecurity. We will not allow South Africa to follow this path.

The EFF has consistently called on NERSA to stop issuing private licenses and stand firm against any unreasonable demands from Eskom. We cannot punish citizens for the state’s failure to invest in sufficient generation capacity to provide affordable, reliable electricity, especially while those responsible for plundering Eskom’s resources remain unpunished.

Eskom must prioritise efficient management and accountability over passing its financial burdens onto the public. Eskom needs to adopt comprehensive reforms to address operational inefficiencies, improve services delivery, and minimise the risk of corruption and mismanagement that continues to cripple the utility’s finances.

We additionally urge NERSA to continue rejecting excessive tariffs increases and to act in the interests of the people, ensuring that access to affordable energy remains a fundamental right. Furthermore, the EFF calls on the government to explore alternative in energy solutions and investment in renewable energy sources to diversify South Africa’s energy mix, reduce reliance on Eskom, and secure affordable energy for all.

The EFF will continue to advocate for fair and just energy pricing, holding Eskom accountable, and pushing for a resilient and sustainable energy future for South Africa.

ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Leigh-Ann Mathys (National Spokesperson) 082 304 7572

Thato Lebyane (Media Enquiries) 078 304 7572