On Thursday 1 July 2021 the Mangaung Metro implemented a tariff that was not approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa). This follows after Centlec on 7 June submitted a changed tariff structure with Nersa that amounts to an increase above the municipal notch without submitting the documents required by legislation
Pursuant to Section 14 of the Electricity Regulation Act, 4 of 2006 the municipality may not implement an increased electricity tariff without Nersa’s approval. If changes are made to the structure of the tariffs, a cost of supply study must be done to ensure that the new tariff structure can be warranted. Morné Mostert, Manager of Local Government Affairs at AfriForum, says that Nersa as regulator can not take a decision on a new tariff structure without a new cost of supply study document and such a decision will be set aside on procedural grounds.
Jaco Grobbelaar, AfriForum’s Regional Head for the central region, says it is sly of council to approve an increased tariff, which the public had not had the opportunity to inspect, on the second last day of the month. “There are various anomalies around the approval of the new electricity tariff proposal. The proposal was made to Nersa on 7 June whereby the proposal had by no means been approved by council and on 29 June council approved the proposal for implementation without the proposal being approved by Nersa. Furthermore another tariff was approved by the council as encapsulated in the budget,” Grobbelaar said.
Grobbelaar further expressed his concern about the implemented tariffs. “The tariffs that were implemented now will result in residents of the Mangaung Metro effectively experiencing a higher increase instead of the 14,59% as set out in the budget seeing that the first band of the tariff now only ranges 150 units. The Metro circumvented the public participation process by following this clandestine process.”
AfriForum will continue consulting with its legal team to ensure that the right processes are followed and that the increased tariffs are indeed reasonable.
AfriForum calls on the residents of Bloemfontein to become involved in putting aside this unreasonable process. Add your voice to the complaint by following this link and assist AfriForum in strengthening their case: https://antiek.afriforum.co.za/jou-elektrisiteitstariewe-is-onwettig-verhoog-afriforum-vat-die-mangaung-metro-hof-toe-hieroor/
You can also SMS the word “tarief” to 45344 (R1) to add your name to the complaint.