Energy Expert weighs in on R200 electricity surcharge for Gauteng

The people of Gauteng this week were in for a shocking surprise when they had to recharge their electrical bills and were met with 2 additional rates and tariff increases.

Some residents are still confused as to what exactly the R200 extra "maintenance and service costs" by some municipalities entails while the overall Eskom tariff implemented as of the 1st of July has sparked fears that these could lead to potential unrest in the metro.

Let's now welcome Mr Chris Yelland, Energy Expert and Managing Director of EE Business Intelligence and Energy Advisor to OUTA to help us make sense of these developments

[karenj]

These prices are supposed to be affordable not immoral

[tshepo]

This is extortion simply because they failed to do their jobs to begin with

[sharlinreddy]

They are charging R1500 service charge to businesses with prepaid electricity . They are crazy. This is unacceptable and unaffordable for most people

[aslam]

We are tired of huge tariff increases to cover for government inefficiencies, theft and corruption. What are they doing to cost cut and reduce theft? Creating new departments and doubling of deputy ministers? New vehicles and bodyguards for everyone at the top once they pass through all the increases post the election?

[danielsteyn]

Call it what you like, it's a TAX if you get nothing for that R230.00.
You got it wrong Oomie. Stop playing with words.

[montypadayachee]

Higood evening why is it that the pensioner have to pay so much it's not fair with the money that we get

[simphiweraymondmajola]

Problem is even if the court reverses this we not going to get our money back

[Cent]

And please stop using the excuse of pre-paid and post paid, it got nothing todo with earning bracket.
Eskoms greed hurts me every time they get thier price increase..

[Cent]

They are going to come for solar users next 😂.
This is just greed and looking for more money..

[chrislourens]

As a Eskom customer I pay a line rental fee of R1500 per month! I am a pensioner living on a smallholding. Total account for using 240 units is approx R3100! This is robbery plain and simple.

[emilysimelane]

I live in a low income apartment most of us can not even afford R50 a week electricity how are we suppose to pay R200. Are we to suffer for those who are not paying

[petert]

Cape Town charges higher for fixed electricity tariffs R218. The also fixed charge for water availability tariffs R189 for 25mm pipe. But at least our services work.

[IreneKlopper-gs]

We have to pay for maintenance while Anc stole the money that they were supposed to use.

[stevennicholas]

Why didn't they announce this increase before the election? Surely this was built into the budget for this new financial year, so they knew about it months ago.

[sbssmallbusinesssolutions]

I'm from Kempton park, and also paid the R230.

[annettesimpson]

Absolute insanity. Powers that be has no idea how ordinary S.A.citizens are suffering to pay just to be alive

[martinbisschoff]

Specifically applicable to City Power. now?? Watch this space folks....

[KamCoder]

It was once said that these IPPs are the end of Power availability for all

[kuichib]

Why not just up the price per KW to cover the costs of operating? Oh no, wait...

[kdc-nbfw]

If it's part of the 'electricity price', then they did not adhere to the approved increases by Nersa. Illegal!!!