DA wants electricity law changed to curb tariff increases
The Democratic Alliance (DA) wants NERSA to show consumers what they pay for in tariffs, with public comment required and retrospective tariffs barred. The DA Free State also made electricity pledges for Mangaung residents.
DA Energy and Electricity spokesperson Kevin Mileham said the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) made a calculation error last year. He said NERSA tried to apply an adjustment of R54 billion that resulted from the error. Mileham said consumers should not bear the cost of such errors.
The DA said the changes would ease financial pressure on households and businesses. It said reliable electricity is now an essential, yet many households still struggle to get enough of it.
In Mangaung, the DA Free State promised ring-fenced revenue, investment in infrastructure and stronger law enforcement against electricity theft and vandalism. Werner Pretorius, the DA mayoral candidate for Mangaung, said communities are under attack from criminals who steal infrastructure.
Key facts
- Who
- Kevin Mileham (DA Energy and Electricity spokesperson); Werner Pretorius (DA Mangaung mayoral candidate); Democratic Alliance (political party calling for the amendment and making Mangaung pledges); NERSA (electricity regulator whose tariff calculation the DA criticised)
- What
- The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it wants the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act amended so that NERSA must show consumers what they pay for tariffs, public comment is required and retrospective tariffs are barred. The DA Free State also promised ring-fenced revenue, infrastructure investment and stronger law enforcement against electricity theft and vandalism in Mangaung.
- When
- 20 October 2026
- Where
- Mangaung, Free State, South Africa
- Status
- Reported