The DA has threatened to lodge a complaint with the National Consumer Commission if Eskom goes ahead with rolling electricity blackouts this year.
Accusing Eskom of treating cash-strapped consumers unfairly, DA spokesman on energy Sejamothopo Motau said registering a complaint would be necessary to protect citizens and businesses affected by Eskom’s “unjust” business practices.
The DA’s threat follows a call this week by Eskom chief executive Brian Dames for South Africans to cut their electricity consumption by 10 percent to enable Eskom to carry out maintenance on power stations.
Dames said this boiled down to a saving of 3 000 megawatts of power.
Eskom performs maintenance operations in summer to ensure that its power stations are prepared for peak winter demand.
The National Consumer Commission is mandated by the Consumer Protection Act to prohibit any practices likely to unfairly affect consumers.
Motau said the commission must also promote fairness and choice for consumers in purchasing products and services, including electricity.
“If Eskom does decide to start rolling blackouts in the near future, we will certainly get the consumer commission involved. Enough is enough,” he said.
“Not only have consumers borne the brunt of a series of unjustifiable electricity price increases, but they are now being told to cut usage by 10 percent or face blackouts.
“And yet it is Eskom’s poor business practices that are to blame for the mess we’re in. It is Eskom’s poor planning that has led to a massive maintenance backlog and potential blackouts. And it was Eskom’s decision to increase pay-outs to executive committee members by 109 percent last year despite these backlogs.”
Motau said Eskom’s behaviour was typical of a state-protected monopoly.
“Because there is no competition, it can get away with shifting the onus of responsibility to consumers, who aren’t able to simply switch to another supply firm if their current supplier allowed the lights to go out.”
Motau said it was appropriate for the consumer commission to get involved in the matter.
“Electricity consumers have been treated with contempt by Eskom for far too long.”
The DA was due to meet the National Energy Regulator on Tuesday to discuss alternative pricing options for Eskom that would benefit the consumer and help to attract investment. - Political Bureau