Durban Protests Disrupt NERSA Public Hearing on Electricity Tariff Hike

The scene outside the Royal Hotel in Durban's bustling city center on Thursday was charged with the fervent voices of hundreds, as a major public hearing by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) on proposed electricity tariff hikes was brought to an abrupt halt. The protest underscored widespread resistance against Eskom's proposed 36% increase in electricity tariffs, a move seen as untenable by various sections of the community.

The Durban leg of the hearings, scheduled to discuss these significant tariff adjustments, drew a larger crowd than anticipated, making it impossible to accommodate everyone safely within the venue. Key local societal groups like the eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement, ward councillors, and environmental advocates were all present, representing a broad spectrum of opposition.

The intensity of the protest escalated rapidly as approximately 250 attendees outside the packed conference room began chanting and some even attempted to push through the hotel doors. Among these protestors were dedicated members from the shack dweller organization Abahlali BaseMjondolo and representatives from the Durban South Service Centre for the Elderly, reflecting a cross-generational and socioeconomic opposition to the proposed hikes.

Sharin Rajman, chairperson of the Durban South Service Centre, vocalized the concerns of many elderly individuals who fear the financial strain of another tariff increase. Meanwhile, Abahlali BaseMjondolo's secretary, Thapelo Mohapi, criticized NERSA’s preparation for the event and categorically rejected any increase in electricity costs, highlighting the already steep prices affecting most households.

Inside, as tensions mounted, NERSA chairperson Nomfundo Maseti decided to postpone the hearing upon witnessing the vehement protests and the attempts of participants to enter. Maseti acknowledged the underestimation of the public response and expressed the need to reconvene at a more accommodating venue. Although disrupted in Durban, the NERSA hearings are set to continue in other provinces as originally planned, with the promise of revisiting the Durban hearing at a later date and at a new location yet to be announced.

The citizens of Durban have spoken loudly, signaling a vigorous campaign against Eskom’s proposed rates. Their actions in Durban underline the broader national unrest about increasing living costs amidst an already challenging economic climate in South Africa. As the country watches closely, the outcomes of these hearings could mark significant changes in public policy and corporate accountability in the energy sector.