During a meeting of the Ekurhuleni Metro Council, the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) rejected a proposal that would result in electricity tariffs increasing beyond what was initially approved in the budget.
When the budget was adopted, an increase of approximately 9% for consumers was approved. The recent council resolution, however, means that certain residents will now have to pay significantly more:
• Households (A2 Tariff): The price for the first 600 units of electricity increases from R2,59 to R3,06 per unit – an increase of 18,4%.
• Certain businesses (Tariff E): Increases of up to 41% may apply.
The Council’s own report indicates that these tariffs are not in line with what NERSA determined. Still, the Council was expected to adopt them, while Ekurhuleni simultaneously plans to challenge NERSA’s decision in court.
In the Freedom Front Plus’s view, it is unacceptable that residents and businesses should bear the financial risk of this dispute.
The Metro should rather take the necessary legal and administrative steps to correct the tariffs and, in the meantime, seek relief from the court.
On 4 November 2026, voters have the opportunity to elect a city council that does not exploit every opportunity to pile more financial pressure on residents.
