26/09/2022
Say it louder please.
‘Reject Eskom’s proposed tariff hike with the contempt it deserves’ - Executive Mayor
Statement by Alderman Conrad Poole, Executive Mayor of Drakenstein Municipality:
“Today I want to add my voice to those who are objecting to Eskom’s ridiculous proposed hike of 32% in the price of electricity. Our consumers are already suffering due to the prohibitive cost of living, including high food and transport prices. The recent hefty interest rate hike makes matters worse, and our consumers will find it even more difficult to make ends meet.
“Therefore, Drakenstein Municipality wants – in the interest of our consumers – object in the strongest possible terms to such a heavy increase in the price of electricity. We appeal to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) to reject the proposal with the contempt it deserves.
“South Africa cannot afford loadshedding any longer and the recent move to Phase 6 is a devastating blow to the way we live daily and to our economy. For Eskom to apply for a steep increase of 32% next year despite ongoing loadshedding is ridiculous and in my opinion, they have lost all credibility. How can you expect to be rewarded with such an increase if you cannot even do your basic job of keeping the lights on? How are businesses supposed to operate and employ people when they are forced to close their doors because there is no electricity?
“Life in South Africa is already a struggle and loadshedding makes it much, much worse. I am proud of municipalities such as the City of Cape Town and others for the work they are doing to alleviate the sting of loadshedding to some extent. Eskom, however, fails all South Africans, and we are calling on the national government to do something immediately.
“As Executive Mayor of Drakenstein Municipality I do not support Eskom’s proposed hike of 32% in the price of electricity in the interest of our customers, who will eventually have to bear the brunt of such a hike.”
