The African National Congress (ANC) has welcomed Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s intervention and his demand for consequence management over the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa’s) R54-billion tariff blunder.

Nersa agreed to a court order that Eskom can collect an extra R54-billion in tariffs over the next few years, as a result of errors made by the regulator in its sixth multiyear price determination revenue decision.

The ANC expressed concerns over the tariff blunder to consumers, who are already battling an inflationary economy.

“This blunder comes at a time when electricity is exorbitant, having reached unaffordable proportions,” said ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu.

She said the ANC welcomed the Electricity and Energy Department’s plan to address the surging electricity costs and the plan to mitigate the high electricity costs which erode household incomes.

Further, she said the ANC would resist and reject any attempt to pass the cost on to consumers.

“The ANC promotes clean governance and prudence in the administration of State entities including government departments. As an organisation acting in the best interests of the people, to improve the quality of life and reduce the high cost of living we will monitor and interact with those at the helm of government and the electricity sector to address this issue. This includes illegal connections, incorrect billing and the challenges faced by the municipalities in their inability to service the Eskom debt as part of our Action Plan post the ANC Roll Call as a call to action to improve the lives of the people,” she said.

Meanwhile, last week, the Democratic Alliance (DA) referred Nersa to the Public Protector for investigation.

The party also wants a reconstitution of the Nersa board with “competent professionals”.

Earlier this month, the party wrote to Nersa chairperson Thembani Bukula demanding public accountability and answers.

In a letter to the DA, Bukula conceded to errors in Nersa’s calculations, citing a “clerical error” and a “version control issue”.

The letter to the DA also said a remedial process to find the origin of the errors was underway, and that consequence management would also take place to ensure accountability.