The City of Ekurhuleni Council has approved Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza’s request to temporarily suspend a R126 electricity fixed charge for two months, following protests by residents over affordability concerns.
The suspension comes after Thembisa residents took to the streets earlier this month, blocking roads with stones and burning tires in protest against the tariff hike. Demonstrators argued that the additional charge, on top of rising living costs, made electricity unaffordable. In response, the mayor initially suspended the fee for 14 days before seeking council approval for a longer pause.
The two-month suspension will allow for further public consultations with community members and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA). Mayor Xhakaza has also proposed exempting low-income households from the fixed charge but requires additional time to finalize the plan.
“If committees and all stakeholders agree on removing this tariff from the A2 block—where our most vulnerable residents, including indigent and low-consumption households, fall—then we will need to find ways to subsidize it within our budget,” Xhakaza said during council deliberations.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has supported the suspension but called for broader application. “We are in favor of suspending the A2 tariff, but we recommend extending this relief to other tariff categories to ensure fairness across the city,” a DA representative stated.
Should the fixed charge be permanently scrapped, the metro will need to find alternative revenue sources to cover the shortfall. The council is expected to revisit the issue after the public engagement process concludes.
This decision highlights growing tensions over municipal service costs as households grapple with economic pressures. The mayor’s office has urged calm, assuring residents that their concerns are being addressed.