The Executive Mayor of Drakenstein Municipality, Councillor Stephen Korabie, has called on the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) to immediately halt Eskom’s proposed electricity tariff increase of 9.01%, warning that the hike would place further financial pressure on already struggling households and businesses.
In a formal appeal to the regulator, the mayor argued that Eskom’s recent financial performance does not justify the scale of the proposed increase. He pointed out that the power utility has recently reported improved financial results and profitability, raising questions about the need for additional tariff hikes.
Korabie said residents across the Drakenstein region are already grappling with rising living costs and would struggle to absorb another significant increase in electricity prices. He warned that such increases could force many families to choose between paying for electricity and meeting other basic household needs.
Local businesses would also be affected, with higher electricity costs likely to increase operating expenses and potentially threaten jobs and economic stability in the region.
The mayor further emphasised the importance of a transparent and inclusive public participation process, urging the regulator to take into account the views and concerns of communities across South Africa.
Residents, he noted, have endured more than a decade of load-shedding, repeated tariff hikes and ongoing uncertainty around the country’s electricity supply. He believes the regulator should carefully reconsider the proposal and explore alternatives that balance Eskom’s financial requirements with the socio-economic realities facing communities.
Drakenstein Municipality is calling for a fair and equitable tariff structure that protects consumers while ensuring long-term energy sustainability.
Located in the Cape Winelands, the Drakenstein Municipality includes the towns of Paarl, Wellington, Gouda, Hermon, Saron and Simondium, and is home to more than 300,000 residents. The municipality is widely recognised for strong governance and consistent clean audits over the past decade.
