The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) in Ekurhuleni notes the Ekurhuleni Metro’s admission that certain residents paid incorrect electricity charges on 1 July due to a technical error in the system.
While the Metro has acknowledged the error and confirmed that corrections will take effect from 2 July 2025, the Freedom Front Plus remains concerned about the administrative negligence that led to the error.
The error stems from a discrepancy between Schedule 2 tariffs, published on the Metro’s website and applied by the system, and Annexure F tariffs, which were approved by the Council on 29 May 2025.
Comparison of said tariffs:
| Schedule 2 (incorrect tariffs applied) | Annexure F (correct, approved tariffs) |
| 0–50 kWh – R2.82 | 0–50 kWh – R2.59 |
| 50–600 kWh – R2.82 | 50–600 kWh – R2.59 |
| 600–700 kWh – R4.41 | 600–700 kWh – R4.03 |
| More than 700 kWh – R11,44 | More than 700 kWh – R10,43 |
| Basic charge (Tariff A2): R142,50 | Basic charge (Tariff A2): R109,78 |
The error resulted in thousands of residents being overcharged for electricity on 1 July.
The most contentious issue is the incorrect basic charge of R142,50, which was deducted upfront for electricity purchases, meaning residents received fewer units than they were entitled to.
The Freedom Front Plus welcomes the Metro’s announcement that residents incorrectly charged on 1 July 2025 will receive a refund in kWh units.
The Metro encourages all affected residents to visit their nearest customer service centre with their electricity meter number to rectify the matter.
The party, furthermore, insists on the following:
- • Detailed and proactive communication by the Metro with all consumers, ensuring every affected resident is aware of their right to compensation.
- • An independent investigation into how the error occurred, who was responsible, and what measures are being taken to prevent a recurrence.
- • Immediate removal of incorrect tariff information from the website and confirmation that only Annexure F tariffs, as approved by the Council, are implemented.
- A report to the Council detailing the progress of the refund process and the controls put in place
The Freedom Front Plus voted against the recent electricity tariff increases and demands accountability, even for a so-called “technical error”. Such errors point to a broader issue of poor administration and a lack of accountability.
The party will not hesitate to take further steps, including lodging complaints with NERSA and/or the Public Protector, if the Metro fails to fulfil its obligation to inform the public and ensure justice is served.
