Municipality cleared in electricity debacle

Legally there is nothing that prohibits a municipality from limiting the amount of electricity customers can purchase. This is according to The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) spokesperson Charles Hlebela. Responding almost four weeks after a Zululand Observer enquiry ‘due to the uniqueness of the situation’, Nersa submitted its opinion on the legality of the uMthlathuze Municipality’s decision to limit pre-paid electricity purchases before the 32.29% electricity tariff increase on 1 July. This caused a massive outcry from ratepayers who felt aggrieved because they believed the decision was illegal and unconstitutional.