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South Africans are bracing for higher electricity costs as tensions rise over tariff increases approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) from 1 April 2026, Cape {town} Etc.

Eskom customers will pay an average 8.76% increase, while municipalities are expected to pass on around 9.01% more from 1 July 2026. These increases follow corrections to previous calculations that added about R54.7 billion to Eskom’s revenue requirement.

In a video posted online on 23 March, Democratic Alliance (DA) electricity spokesperson Kelvin Mileham said consumers were suffering because of what he called ‘phantom costs’ of up to an alleged R107 billion, baked into monthly bills.

 

‘For years you have been paying charges that do not reflect the real cost of supplying electricity,’ he said, alleging the tariff process amounted to a ‘price heist’. Mileham called for an independent audit of NERSA’s calculations and the immediate dismissal of the regulator’s board to protect households.

SABC reported that Eskom said the tariff increase is intended to support reliable power supply and long‑term sustainability, adding that it considered consumer affordability in its proposal. A spokesperson said the revenue adjustments reflect the costs of generating, transmitting and distributing electricity while enabling investment in critical infrastructure.

This comes as The Supreme Court of Appeal orders Eskom to release its coal and diesel contracts to AfriForum, rejecting the utility’s secrecy bid.

Critics argue that rising electricity charges will further strain household budgets already under pressure from broader cost increases across the economy. Calls for accountability now puts scrutiny on how regulatory decisions affect ordinary consumers.

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Eskom tariff increase approved by regulator for 2027

Picture: Nelius Rademan / Gallo Images

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