Johnathan Paoli
THE DA is taking the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to court over the 30% national electricity tariff hike this year, which the party has described as “extortionate”.
The case is being heard in the North Gauteng High court on Monday.
Nersa, which oversees the electricity, piped-gas and petroleum pipelines industries in the country, was established in 2005 by the National Energy Regulator Act.
Nersa’s main function is to issue licenses, approve tariffs, set conditions and standards, monitor compliance, resolve disputes and advise the government on energy matters. And it is also responsible for implementing the government’s policies and international best practices in support of sustainable development.
The party said it was taking Nersa to court over load shedding, demanding that the entire energy crisis be declared unconstitutional.
The DA said it wants the rolling blackouts and the tariff increase granted by the energy regulator declared unconstitutional and invalid and argued that Nersa’s decision of 12 January 2023 was inconsistent with the Constitution and should be declared invalid and set aside.
In addition, the party wants the court to have the ongoing decisions to implement load shedding declared invalid and set aside as it is inconsistent with the Constitution
This follows on Eskom being granted an 18.65% tariff increase for the 2023/2024 financial year, and another 12.74% increase for the next financial year, and the price hike kicked in on 1 April 2023.
The DA said electricity tariffs have increased by more than 650% since the electricity crisis started in 2007, which is quadruple the inflation rate over the same period.
The party said that people across South Africa can no longer afford the out of control price hikes that the ANC national government continues to force onto them across the board.
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