The Public Protector has confirmed it is actively considering evidence in its investigation into the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) over calculation errors that will add billions to electricity consumers’ bills.
The investigation follows a complaint lodged by the Democratic Alliance in September 2025 alleging maladministration by NERSA. On 2 February, the Public Protector’s office confirmed it had received a comprehensive response from NERSA and would provide a further update in due course.
The matter centres on what NERSA described as “clerical errors” in its Sixth Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD6) calculations, which determine electricity tariffs. The regulator admitted that a “data input error” affected depreciation calculations and the Regulatory Asset Base, creating an initial shortfall of R54 billion.
NERSA subsequently settled the error with Eskom behind closed doors without public consultation. Following a High Court ruling in December 2025, the financial impact increased to R76 billion, which will be recovered from South African electricity consumers through higher tariffs.
The error means consumers are likely to face tariff increases of 8.76% and 8.83% in the coming years, compared to the originally projected 5.36% and 6.19%.
Kevin Mileham, DA spokesperson on electricity and energy, said the errors pointed to systemic failures in NERSA’s quality assurance and internal controls. “This R76 billion error represents a staggering failure of NERSA’s fundamental mandate, which is to protect consumers,” he said.
The DA maintains the errors cannot be dismissed as administrative mistakes and require accountability.
NERSA’s mandate includes protecting consumer interests and ensuring the efficient and effective regulation of the electricity sector. The Public Protector’s investigation will determine whether the regulator’s conduct constitutes maladministration requiring remedial action.
The matter remains under investigation.
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