Statement by Stellenbosch Executive Mayor Gesie van Deventer
22 September 2022
On behalf of the residents of Stellenbosch Municipality, I reject Eskom’s latest application for an enormous price increase to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) in the strongest terms. I request that this application be withdrawn immediately.
Our residents simply cannot afford any further increases. These proposed increases are unjustified and unfair. Like the majority of South Africans, many residents and businesses are already struggling to make ends meet.
Our residents are bearing the brunt of the rising cost of fuel, food, and basic consumer goods. South Africans are constantly being expected to pay more for electricity and poor service.
Any increase should be in line with the consumer price index (CPI). A 32% increase is outrageous and simply unaffordable, especially given the fact that 2022 is the worst year of load shedding on record.
As a Municipality, we strongly object to any further increases above inflation and we implore NERSA to reject it outright.
