Electricity unaffordable for SA’s most vulnerable, says Ramokgopa

Johnathan Paoli

Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has said there is a crisis of poor and marginalised people who cannot afford electricity in South Africa.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Government of National Unity (GNU)’s Cabinet Lekgotla on Sunday, Minister Ramokgopa said that while the government’s focus should be on providing sustainable access to electricity, it should remain cognisant of the affordability for all South Africans.

Ramokgopa commented on the recent 12.7% tariff hike and City Power’s decision to institute a R200 monthly surcharge on prepaid customers and said in light of the municipalities adding the surcharge, there was an urgent need to address the root causes.

“People are going to find it difficult to afford food, as they do now. Many are having a similar problem, and that problem is likely to become more acute over a period of time,” he said

Reaffirming his earlier position last