DA welcomes court ruling on Eskom tariffs 

17 August 2016

The DA welcomes the North Gauteng High Court’s ruling on Tuesday to set aside the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa)’s decision to grant Eskom an effective 9.4% increase for 2016, as a step forward in bolstering economic growth and retaining jobs. 

We implore NERSA and Eskom to not appeal this decision. This will entail that the tariff rate will revert back to a 3.4% increase on 2015 tariffs. 

The court sited two reasons for this decision, the application was submitted outside of the permitted timeframe and application should have been based on quarterly reports which were not submitted by Eskom to NERSA. 

High electricity prices are a burden to business and to the average person in the street. It can act as a handbrake on job creation, stifling the economy and it will hurt individuals in their pocket and daily spending patterns. With rampant unemployment and the economy on the brink of recession, this lower electricity price tariff will be a boon to South Africans and the business community.

The DA will continue to fight for job creation and fairness for all. 

Issued by Gordon Mackay, DA Shadow Minister of Energy, 17 August 2016