Electricity costs soar as Ekurhuleni incorrectly applies fixed cost charges
by Cllr. Lornette Joseph — DA Ward Councillor in Ekurhuleni
Date: 01 July 2021
Release: Immediate
Type: Media statement
On Thursday, the 1st of July, the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) incorrectly charged Ekurhuleni residents who make use of pre-paid electricity R200 instead of R52 (excluding VAT) for fixed charges.
The CoE has confirmed that Tariff B residential’s vending category was erroneously linked to the business fixed charge of R200, instead of the residential fixed charge of R52.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni would like to inform residents that the system error has been noted by the CoE and will be corrected tomorrow (2nd July). Residents who have already purchased electricity today and paid the incorrect R200 fixed charge will be reimbursed.
The CoE has informed DA Councillors that residents should report to their nearest Customer Care Centre (CCC) with their till slip or proof of payment to process their refunds. However, the DA does not agree with this process, as it is not fair to expect residents to queue at CCCs, amid an even deadlier Covid-19 third wave. It is extremely irresponsible of the ANC and its coalition partners* to expect residents to forgo their safety and put their lives in tremendous danger.
As the DA, we believe it is the responsibility of the CoE to ensure that this situation is remedied without forcing residents to put their health and safety in danger. The Metro should ensure that those that were affected are credited via their meter numbers.
Residents should also note that a fixed charge is payable monthly, whether electricity is consumed or not. Residents who use a combination of solar and municipal power will still be liable to fixed charges, on a monthly basis.
Ekurhuleni residents should also be aware that free basic electricity is now limited to 50kWh and is only available to indigent registered households.
While the CoE has not formally communicated with Ekurhuleni residents, DA Councillors have been working tirelessly to disseminate information to disgruntled residents. As the DA, we trust that this costly mistake by the CoE will be rectified promptly.
#Time4Change
*ANC Coalition Partners: African Independent Congress (AIC), Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), Patriotic Alliance (PA) and Independent Ratepayers Association of South Africa (IRASA)
Cllr. Lornette Joseph
DA Councillor for Ward 27 in Ekurhuleni
