Address corruption at Eskom: Mzansi reacts to electricity price increase
Twitter is reeling after the announcement by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) that electricity prices will increase by 9.41% in April.
The announcement met with much criticism, as people questioned why Eskom, after receiving a bail-out of billions, needed to increase electricity prices.
In his budget speech in February, finance minister Tito Mboweni announced that the power utility would receive a bail-out of R69m over the next three years.
The power utility had asked for even higher price hikes, which were rejected by Nersa.
Corruption at the power utility and the issue of municipalities which owe Eskom billions were among topics that dominated conversations on the platform.
Here are some of the reactions:
why do consumers have to suffer because of corruption at Eskom ?#nersa' s decision to increase tarriffs.
— bongani (@bongani10838534) March 7, 2019
#NERSA: The electricity tarrif will hike for the next three years starting off this year with a 9.41% increase.#SouthAfricans: pic.twitter.com/pU0HmJUz9D
— Kwanele Mketeni (@KwaneleMketeni) March 7, 2019
How can Mzansi be okay when #eskom stated a 15% hike in electricity😓😓😓 pic.twitter.com/AGLjpScooF
— Afsana Abdul (افسانا عبدول) (@AfsanaAbdul) March 7, 2019
So because of thieves & people who refuse to pay their debt to #Eskom we now have to pay 13,8 % more from 1 April. 🤬🤬 How much more do you want to squeeze from us. Paying, law abiding citizens have no room to move. We are over taxed,over burdened and just over the incompetence.
— Eileen (@Eileenn6) March 7, 2019
So Eskom gets a bailout + gets to increase the price of electricity #NERSA #Eskom #EskomLoadshedding pic.twitter.com/jPHx2t3SwN
— D@N!R0 (@Daniro140) March 7, 2019
#Nersa approving Eskom's electricity hike if 9.4%is absolutely ridiculous. So now we must suffer because of the rampant maladministration at Eskom? 💔
— Raised In Africa. (@paballo_patsa) March 7, 2019
Electricity Price increase
— Man's Not Barry Roux (@AdvBarryRoux) March 7, 2019
Fuel Price increase
Taxi fee increase
Food transportation increase
Food price increase
Salary dololo increase
Value of your salary decrease
#Nersa #Eskom pic.twitter.com/NElW1CSi4E