Petition against the proposed electricity tariff increase – Gamagara

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We, the undersigned residents of Mapoteng, Kathu, Siyathemba and parts of Olifantshoek, hereby formally object to the proposed 9.7% increase in electricity tariffs.

According to the guideline of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), an increase of 9.01% is recommended. Although this is only a guideline, even this percentage is already excessively high in the current economic climate. Gamagara’s electricity cost per unit is already among the highest in the Northern Cape.

In the previous financial year, residents were faced with drastic increases in property valuations, in some cases exceeding 300%, with a direct impact on property rates. It is unacceptable that residents must now be further burdened to contribute towards settling an electricity debt of approximately R800 million, while there is evident wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ funds.

We are particularly concerned about:

• The appointment of a middleman allegedly earning 6% commission on all electricity sales.
• The continued use of unnecessary contractors and expenses without visible cost-saving measures.
• The lack of clear communication to residents regarding steps taken to reduce costs before implementing tariff increases.

We request the Municipality to first:

1. Present a clear plan to residents on how expenses and contractors will be drastically reduced.
2. Provide transparent reporting on cost-saving measures.
3. Communicate practical steps on how electricity tariffs will be kept affordable.

We, the undersigned, reject the proposed 9.7% increase and indicate that we would only be willing to consider an inflation-linked increase of 3.1%.

Many residents do not receive such increases in their salaries. Pensioners and SASSA-dependent residents receive minimal increases and cannot afford these excessive tariff hikes. This increase directly affects residents of Mapoteng, Kathu, Siyathemba and parts of Olifantshoek.

We hereby record our formal objection.

Aan: Die Munisipale Bestuurder en Raad van die Gamagara Local Municipality

Ons, die ondergetekende inwoners van Mapoteng, Kathu, Siyathemba en dele van Olifantshoek, teken hiermee formeel beswaar aan teen die voorgestelde 9.7% verhoging in elektrisiteitstariewe.

Volgens die riglyn van die National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) word ’n verhoging van 9.01% aanbeveel. Alhoewel dit slegs ’n riglyn is, is selfs hierdie persentasie reeds buitensporig hoog in die huidige ekonomiese klimaat. Gamagara se elektrisiteitskoste per eenheid is reeds van die hoogste in die Noord-Kaap.

In die vorige boekjaar is inwoners gekonfronteer met drastiese verhogings in eiendomswaardasies, wat in sommige gevalle met meer as 300% gestyg het, met ’n direkte impak op erfbelasting. Dit is onaanvaarbaar dat inwoners nou verder belas moet word om by te dra tot die delging van ’n elektrisiteitskuld van ongeveer R800 miljoen, terwyl daar terselfdertyd wesenlike vermorsing van belastingbetalers se fondse plaasvind.

Ons is veral bekommerd oor:

• Die aanstelling van ’n middelman wat na bewering 6% kommissie op alle elektrisiteitsverkope verdien.
• Die voortgesette gebruik van onnodige kontrakteurs en uitgawes sonder sigbare kostebesparings.
• Die gebrek aan duidelike kommunikasie aan inwoners oor watter stappe gedoen word om kostes te verminder voordat tariefverhogings ingestel word.

Ons versoek die Munisipaliteit om eers:

1. ’n Duidelike plan aan inwoners voor te lê oor hoe uitgawes en kontrakteurs drasties verminder gaan word.
2. Deursigtige verslagdoening te gee oor kostebesparingsmaatreëls.
3. Praktiese stappe te kommunikeer oor hoe elektrisiteitstariewe bekostigbaar gehou gaan word.

Ons, die ondergetekendes, verwerp die voorgestelde 9.7% verhoging.
Ons dui aan dat ons slegs bereid is om ’n inflasie-gekoppelde verhoging van 3.1% te oorweeg.

Baie inwoners ontvang nie sulke verhogings in hul salarisse nie. Pensioenarisse en SASSA-afhanklikes kry minimale verhogings en kan nie hierdie buitensporige tariefverhogings bekostig nie.

Hierdie verhoging raak inwoners van Mapoteng, Kathu, Siyathemba en dele van Olifantshoek direk. Die verhoging sal veral arm en kwesbare inwoners verder benadeel.

Ons teken hiermee ons formele beswaar aan.

Gamagara Residents    Contact the author of the petition