- The National Energy Regulator of South Africa has confirmed that Cabinet has approved the appointment of three new members to its regulatory board.
- Ms Ria Govender joins as a part time member for a four-year term, while Mr Willibrod Majola and Ms Nomfundo Maseti have been appointed as full time members for five years each.
Mr Thembani Bukula, chairperson of the Energy Regulator, congratulated the appointees and said their experience in energy regulation would strengthen the organisation’s work. He said their expertise would help Nersa promote sustainable development in the energy sector while balancing the interests of all stakeholders and supporting the wider socio economic development of South Africa.
Nersa has not released details of the new members’ career histories or qualifications in their press release.
The appointments come as the regulator faces renewed criticism following a series of ‘mistakes’. Read more
R54 billion error
A disputed settlement agreement worth 54 billion rand between Eskom and Nersa has been put on hold after pressure from civil rights group AfriForum. The agreement, which the Pretoria High Court was expected to ratify today, would have resulted in annual electricity tariff increases of nearly nine per cent for three years.
AfriForum persuaded Eskom to move the matter from the uncontested roll to the contested roll, allowing public participation and potential legal challenges. The organisation argues that the settlement lacks transparency and may be unlawful and unreasonable.
“To say that the public, who must fund the decision, has no interest in the matter shows Eskom’s blatant arrogance,” said Deidre Steffens, AfriForum’s advisor for local government affairs. “It can no longer be tolerated and blindly funded.”
Eskom had earlier rejected AfriForum’s request to intervene, saying the public had no veto rights and that the settlement did not require consultation. AfriForum insists that both Eskom and Nersa must be held accountable, citing previous tariff errors by the regulator and Eskom’s ongoing financial instability.
“This development is a victory for transparency and consumer rights,” Steffens said. “AfriForum will ensure that the public’s voice is heard.”
Phalaborwa ruling
In a separate case, AfriForum’s Phalaborwa branch has welcomed a Pretoria High Court ruling directing Nersa to set up a tribunal within 30 days to investigate persistent power supply failures in the Ba Phalaborwa Local Municipality.
The order, issued on 7 October, follows years of complaints and submissions from AfriForum and local advocacy group Lets Change Phalaborwa. The tribunal will assess whether the municipality breached its licence conditions and failed to meet minimum service standards required under the Electricity Regulation Act and the National Rationalised Specification 047 1:2002.
“This ruling is a decisive victory for residents who have had to cope without reliable power for years,” said Hendrik Kotze, AfriForum’s provincial coordinator for Limpopo. “The court has made it clear that the regulator can no longer stand by and watch but must actively intervene.”
Nersa has also been ordered to pay the legal costs of the application.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
