As the Democratic Alliance (DA) prepares for the upcoming parliamentary debate on high electricity prices, it is urging South Africans to stand with it and voice their opposition against the “unjustifiable” electricity price hikes through its petition.

DA spokesperson on electricity and energy Kevin Mileham said that as of Monday, over 12 000 South Africans have signed its petition to Parliament against a proposed 40% electricity tariff increase by Eskom.

“This is the start of an overwhelming response and demonstrates widespread public concern over the effect that the proposed tariff increases will have on household incomes, businesses and the economy,” noted Mileham.

He pointed out that the petition had become all the more important after the Speaker of the National Assembly Thoko Didiza acceded to the DA’s request for a debate on the escalating costs of electricity on consumers.

He highlighted that should the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) grant Eskom’s request for a 36.15% tariff increase in 2025, in addition to the 4% that it wants to levy on consumers through its Regulatory Clearing Account, he stated that many households would be priced out of the electricity market and forced to abandon electricity use altogether.

Mileham said the DA’s practical action would push back against the “rapidly rising” cost of electricity.

Last week, mayors in DA-run municipalities submitted written objections to Nersa on Eskom’s upcoming tariff demand, with Mileham saying these “out-of-control tariffs” would be devastating to local economies and could lead to job losses, further exacerbating the unemployment crisis.

“With the ever-increasing cost of living, double-digit tariff increases will keep inflationary pressures high and force consumers to choose between keeping the lights on or putting food on the table,” he added.

The DA believes that the burden of Eskom’s operational inefficiencies should not be passed on to “hard-working South Africans”.