Environmental rights group says Eskom's proposed tariff hike unaffordable for majority of South Africans

CAPE TOWN - Non-profit organisation, The Green Connection, said it was problematic that while Eskom failed to provide stable electricity, it expected customers to pay more for electricity.

Eskom has applied to the energy regulator, NERSA, for a 36% hike in electricity price next year.

READ: NERSA public hearings: Capetonians urge regulator to reject Eskom's electricity price hike

NERSA's public hearings into Eskom's proposed electricity tariff hike are currently underway in Cape Town.

These hearings will take place over the next two weeks across all nine provinces and a final decision will be made on 20 December.

The Green Connection, environmental rights group, made oral submissions to NERSA at the public hearings on Monday, opposing Eskom's proposed 36% increase in electricity tariffs.

The group's Liziwe McDaid said the proposed tariff hike was simply unaffordable for the majority of South Africans.

"We really don't believe that this system of constantly pouring money into the black hole of Eskom is really in the public's interest."

She said that an electricity tariff increase would hit marginalised communities hard.