Thembisa Residents Clash with City and Increasing Electricity Tariffs once again dominated public debate in late September. The dispute highlights growing anger at rising costs, poor service delivery, and limited transparency in how funds are spent. At the heart of the conflict lies the community’s frustration with both the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).
Thembisa Residents Clash with City: Public Meeting Exposes Tensions
On 27 September, residents gathered at the Rabasotho Community Centre for a heated public meeting. The CoE organised the session to address grievances following July’s shutdown protests, where residents had blocked roads and clashed with police.
Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, engineers from the CoE’s Energy Department, and NERSA representatives were present. However, tensions quickly rose as residents questioned why electricity tariffs keep climbing while service delivery remains stagnant.
The Controversial Fixed Charge Suspension
Earlier this year, Thembisa residents rejected a new fixed monthly electricity charge. The fee, ranging from R109 to more than R200 depending on the supply phase, was suspended after mass protests turned violent.
While the suspension eased some immediate anger, it did not resolve deeper concerns. Electricity tariffs remain high, and households in Thembisa argue they are among the highest paying regions in Ekurhuleni.
As one resident asked during the meeting:
“Why must we pay the highest tariffs, but see no improvement in our township?”
How Tariffs Are Structured
CoE engineers explained the technical side of electricity pricing. Sicelo Zulu, an engineer in the Energy Department, outlined the supply chain:
“Eskom supplies electricity to the municipality, which is then distributed through substations, poles, underground networks and meter boxes before reaching residents.”
He added that basic charges fund infrastructure, while tariff applications go through a process: cost of supply studies, tariff design, public participation, NERSA assessment, and council approval.
Despite these explanations, residents remained unconvinced. Many argued that their payments are not reinvested locally, especially after revelations that part of the revenue goes toward repaying municipal loans.
Residents in Gauteng have also raised safety concerns beyond electricity tariffs, with reports noting that snake sightings are on the rise in Pretoria, along with advice on common species and safety tips.
Tariff Categories and Public Frustration
The mayor attempted to clarify the two-tier tariff system:
- Tariff A applies to households consuming 600 kWh or less each month.
- Tariff B applies to households using over 600 kWh, who pay more.
Xhakaza defended the structure, saying:
“When you pay for electricity, you are also covering water and other services. It is not that Eskom is cheaper, but that different areas have different consumption patterns.”
Residents, however, felt this cross-subsidisation unfairly penalises lower-income households. They demanded greater accountability and transparency in how their money is used.
National Context: Eskom and NERSA’s Role
This local dispute mirrors a broader national crisis. In April 2025, NERSA approved a 12.74% electricity tariff increase, with further hikes planned in 2026 and 2027.
Parliament has warned that the increases are “unaffordable”, particularly for poor and working-class households.
Western Cape MEC Anton Bredell has also criticised Eskom’s pricing model, stating it would “destroy the ability to provide basic services by the few remaining functioning municipalities”.
These comments underline why residents in places like Thembisa are demanding accountability not only from local government but also from Eskom and NERSA.
Calls for Transparency and Accountability
Thembisa residents continue to insist that their payments should directly improve service delivery in their community. Many want assurances that funds are not diverted to cover debt or unrelated municipal costs.
As Xhakaza acknowledged:
“Communities have the right to challenge or engage with the city if they believe the formula is unfair.”
For residents, that challenge has become more urgent as household budgets strain under rising utility costs.
What Lies Ahead
Thembisa’s electricity tariff clash is unlikely to fade soon. Unless transparent systems are put in place, and local reinvestment is prioritised, further shutdowns remain possible. The CoE now faces the difficult task of balancing financial sustainability with public trust.
At the same time, NERSA and Eskom must justify increases that South Africans across the country find increasingly unbearable. For many, the issue is not only about tariffs but also about governance, fairness, and accountability in public service.
Thembisa Residents Clash with City and Increasing Electricity Tariffs has become a symbol of a larger South African struggle. Rising costs, lack of consultation, and poor service delivery fuel anger that could easily spread to other communities.
For Gauteng, the lesson is clear: transparency, communication, and fairness are essential to prevent further unrest. Without them, tariff disputes will continue to ignite clashes between residents and officials.
