Environmental alliance to protest at Eskom offices over electricity tariff hikes

The proposed tariff hike comes at a time when Durban households are already stretched to “breaking point”.

The South Durban Community Environmental Alliance says residents will picket Eskom’s Westville offices over electricity tariff increases, which it says will worsen pressure on low-income households.

IOL reported that Tristan Meek, SDCEA Project Officer, said that communities from across South Durban will gather to voice their strong opposition to the electricity tariff increase that Eskom has submitted to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).

“This is a peaceful, lawful, and community-led picket. It is not a strike or a disruption of any kind. It is a direct appeal from affected residents to NERSA: the proposed increase must be rejected,” he said.

Meek said the proposed tariff hike comes at a time when Durban households are already stretched to “breaking point”. He explained that NERSA has already granted Eskom an 8.76% increase for the 2026/2027 financial year, effective from 1 April 2026. Meek said the current application before NERSA threatens to impose yet another burden on the very communities that can least afford it.

“For a working-class household in South Durban, an increase of this nature represents an additional cost of nearly R500 per month on what was previously a R1,000 monthly electricity account. When combined with rising food prices, transport costs, and water tariffs, these hikes are pushing families to the breaking point. Electricity is a basic necessity, not a luxury—yet the poor are being asked to carry the heaviest load,” he said.

Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says the 9.01% average increase in Eskom’s tariffs was applicable to municipal bulk purchasers for the 2026/2027 financial year following NERSA tariff determination.

“This increase applies to the cost of electricity supplied by Eskom to municipalities and does not automatically translate into an equivalent percentage increase in every household’s electricity bill,” Ramokgopa said.

The founder of SDCEA, Desmond D’Sa, said these increases far exceed the rate of inflation and will push millions of households further into poverty.

“Our communities are already grappling with high unemployment and the rising cost of living; an electricity price hike of this magnitude will make basic services even less accessible for low-income and marginalised households,” D’Sa said.

The SDCEA is pleading with NERSA to reject this approval, adding that the regulator has a duty to protect consumers, not merely to rubber-stamp Eskom’s revenue requests.

Community members, faith leaders, and civil society allies will gather at 9 am in Westville. The SDCEA represents 21 community and environmental organisations.