Nersa called upon to please take note

Geo. F. de Necker, concerned citizen and community advocate Matjhabeng:

I address this letter to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), expressing my opposition to the proposed electricity tariff amendments regarding Eskom’s asset revaluation and the resulting tariff increases.

Our community has endured years of relentless load shedding, economic disruption, and the daily indignity of unreliable electricity supply. To now be asked to shoulder higher tariffs in order to fund depreciation and working capital for aging, failing infrastructure is unjust and unacceptable.

■ Unreliable service: Eskom has consistently failed to provide dependable electricity. It is unreasonable to demand more money from citizens for a service that remains broken.

■ Economic hardship: Families, small businesses and community organisations in Welkom are already under severe financial strain. Higher tariffs will deepen poverty and cripple local economic activity.

■ Accountability first: Eskom must demonstrate transparency, efficiency and accountability before any tariff increases are considered. Citizens should not be forced to subsidise mismanagement and poor planning.

■ Fairness: It is fundamentally unfair to expect communities who have endured years of blackouts to now subsidise depreciation and cash flow issues for assets that have not delivered reliable service.

Enough is enough. We reject these amendments and call on Nersa to prioritise affordable, reliable electricity for all South Africans. Our communities cannot continue to carry the burden of Eskom’s failures.