Cape Town activist slams R200 electricity tariff

CAPE TOWN - Concerns are being raised about the rising cost of living, with the City of Cape Town being taken to task for its electricity charges.
 
While many residents are struggling to make ends meet, social activist Natasha Gertze has put a spotlight on the city's tariffs.

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The Electricity Tariffs Must Fall leader said she's made numerous complaints to the city's ombudsman about tariffs residents have to pay.  
 
Gertze, a Mitchells Plain resident, said the city's recent increased property valuations have forced her and many other residents to pay a R200 tariff for electricity.
 
"I've got it at the ombudsman because I can't understand that huge jump, but the ombudsman redirects it to the municipality. I have even emailed the Human Rights Commission because, to me, this is affecting my human rights," Gertze said.

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Meanwhile, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis explained the tariff charges.
 
"There are essentially two costs in the system. There's one for the cost of maintaining the grid and the infrastructure, and then there is the charge that you pay for the energy. So, the fixed cost is supposed to be a contribution from everyone to maintaining that infrastructure," said Hill-Lewis.      
 
Hill-Lewis said the cost of electricity is determined by Eskom, and efforts are being made to become less dependent on the power utility.