SAPVIA calls for one flat rate for all users of electricity in Joburg

JOHANNESBURG - Non-profit organisation South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) is calling for the City of Johannesburg to evaluate the difference that prepaid and postpaid customers pay for electricity.

The organisation argues that postpaid customers, who pay for electricity already used, are charged four times more than prepaid users.

The City of Johannesburg currently charges its prepaying residents a fixed amount of R200, excluding VAT.

These fees include the R70 for service charges.

SAPVIA chairperson Patrick Narbel said there needed to be one flat rate for all users.

"Prepaid users will continue paying R230 as a fixed fee, whereas postpaid users will pay R1,615 per month before consuming one unit of electricity. An average customer on postpaid will thus pay over R1,000 more than a customer on prepaid using the same amount of electricity. This goes against three core principles in setting tariffs."