We, the undersigned, are South African electricity consumers, organised through the Better Governance Initiative NPC (“BGI”), and write to record our objection to Eskom's proposed 8.83% electricity price increase for  2027/28.

WE DEMAND THAT NERSA DECLINE ESKOM'S PROPOSED 8.83%  TARIFF INCREASE FOR 2027/28!

We take this opportunity to draw the Regulator's attention to the following:

1. The Scale and Trajectory of the Increases

According to NERSA's Draft Market Inquiry Report (June 2026), electricity tariffs rose by 937% between 2007 and 2024, against inflation of only 155% over the same period. This is a pattern of increases that have compounded far beyond the reach of ordinary household and business incomes, year after year, for nearly two decades. It is not reasonable that these have been cost-reflective adjustments.

2. Eskom's Financial Position

After years of challenges, Eskom has recently reported a net profit of R30.3 billion for the year ended March 2026, its second consecutive profitable year. Eskom has THE MONEY!!!

3. The Public Cannot Absorb Further Increases

The economic reality within which Eskom’s application falls to be considered bears mentioning:

• Not only is South Africa's unemployment rate standing at 33.6% as at the second quarter of 2026 (Stats SA), but 66.7% of our fellow coutrymen are living below the upper-bound poverty line (Stats SA Poverty Trends Report, December 2025), and approximately 40% of South Africans depend on a social grant to survive (Stats SA).
• The well-to-do are not spared either. They are not exempt from this pressure.
• South African households carrying debt already spend, on average, 62.5% of gross income servicing that debt (SARB), and consumers earning above R35,000 per month carry a debt-to-income ratio of 177% (DebtBusters, Q1 2025), proof that financial strain in this country reaches well beyond those below the poverty line.
• The point is that, in the current economic climate, no one but the wealthiest South Africans is insulated from the impact of a further increase in the price of electricity.
• Nationally, 69 municipalities had their July 2026 equitable share transfer withheld by National Treasury over persistent financial mismanagement. Those same municipalities are collectively owed R217.8 billion by households, businesses and government combined, while nationally, households carry approximately 72% of the R416.1 billion owed to municipalities overall, evidence of a population already unable to keep up with existing charges, let alone new ones. In turn, these municipalities owe Eskom hundreds of billions themselves. 

4. This Petition Is The Start of A Sustained Campaign

This petition is the first component of a sustained campaign on the cost of electricity and this Eskom application. It will be followed by a full submission from BGI, incorporating further direct public evidence and input, and documented evidence of the impact of this and prior increases on households and small businesses across South Africa. We reserve the right to supplement and expand upon this objection accordingly, including at the public hearing scheduled for 8 October 2026.

5. Conclusion & Demand

We respectfully urge, and demand that, the Regulator reject Eskom's application for an further increase for the 2027/28 financial year.

On behalf of the Petition Signatories, 

Yours faithfully,

[sent electronically therefore unsigned]

(Mr) Sabelo Chalufu,

Better Governance Initiative NPC