Residents of Drakenstein, led by Councillor Stephen Korabie, Executive Mayor of Drakenstein Municipality, braved the pouring rain yesterday morning (30 September 2024) as they took to the streets of Paarl in a peaceful community-driven march against Eskom’s excessive proposed electricity tariff increase of 40%.
Dr Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, also attended the march, which started at the Huguenot Train Station in Paarl East and ended at the Civic Centre in Paarl.
The march came after Executive Mayor Korabie formally objected against the proposed electricity tariff hike of Eskom last month when he wrote a letter on behalf of the residents of Drakenstein to the board of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).
Councillor Korabie pointed out that the proposed increase would have a devastating impact on low-income households, who would be forced to choose between necessities and electricity. The same goes for local businesses, which would face increased operational costs and potential job losses.
A petition in which the community demands Eskom to reconsider the tariff hike and consider alternative sustainable solutions was handed over to Dr Johan Leibbrandt, City Manager of Drakenstein Municipality.
In solidarity with the residents, Dr Leibbrandt signed the petition and will bring it to the attention of NERSA on behalf of the entire community of Drakenstein.
