Outrage over Eskom’s massive increase plans

By Khanyisa Tabata
13 October 2009

The Congress of South African Trade Unions is extremely angry at what it calls Eskom’s “outrageous and insensitive” request for a whopping 45-percent a year electricity tariff hike over the next three years.

Cosatu says it would mean that by the end of that period, the country would have been hit by a 200-percent tariff hike. The trade union federation plans to vigorously oppose the application.

The Democratic Alliance has also slammed Eskom’s plans as a gross insult to vulnerable South Africans.

Spokesperson Sejamothopo Motau says they are being forced to pay for mismanagement. Motau cites a lack of control over coal supplies and the failure to apply the basic considerations when procuring large capital as examples of bad judgement for which ordinary South Africans now have to pay.


The Congress of the People has added its outrage. It accuses Eskom of mismanagement and incompetence at the highest levels for a sustained period of time.

Cope calls for government to radically shake up the utility, improve the interaction with the National Energy Regulator, and to fast track alternatives for power production in South Africa.