The R126 electricity surcharge in Ekurhuleni has been suspended for two weeks to avoid the escalation of violence.
This is how mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza explained his decision yesterday to put the surcharge on ice. The U-turn follows a two-day protest in Tembisa, which saw main roads being barricaded and traffic disrupted. Residents used street light poles, traffic lights and huge rocks to block roads, while also burning tyres.
Residents said that the fee, which came into effect this month, is an added burden they can’t afford.
Addressing a crowd of residents outside the Rabasotho Community Hall yesterday, Xhakaza said he did not want to see further violence in the streets of Tembisa.
“We’ve heard your cries,” he said, “but the surcharge is not our problem because the structure of tariffs on municipalities is decided by Eskom and through the National Energy Regulator of SA [Nersa]. Prices are then approved by Nersa, and we are then guided [on the increase] and how much we can collect from residents.”
Xhakaza said the surcharge will be suspended until Ekurhuleni officials had met with stakeholders such as Eskom and Nersa to discuss a way forward.
“The fixed charge on electricity has become a major point of contention, especially among paying communities like Tembisa. We’ve decided to suspend the fixed charge to allow the conversation to happen and to accommodate public consultations. It’s important that we engage with all stakeholders.
“We can’t fully scrap the fee. But I’m saying to manage volatility, and to prevent protests from escalating, we are suspending it temporarily,” Xhakaza said.