'No one can afford this': CT mayor on Eskom's proposed 36% electricity price hike

CAPE TOWN - The City of Cape Town said that if the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) approved Eskom's proposed 36% electricity price hike, it would force consumers to pay for the power utility's mismanagement and corruption.

The municipality said that while Eskom had yet to formally submit its application, early consultations had revealed the parastatal's intention to ask NERSA for a 44% hike for electricity sales to municipalities and a 36% hike for direct Eskom customers.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said that the increase must be stopped in its tracks.
 
"This is just a mammoth and unthinkable Eskom increase. No one can afford this. We're calling on Nersa to reject Eskom's request for the sake of our economy, for the sake of our families in Cape Town and small businesses, and especially lower income families already struggling with the cost of living."