AfriForum, the civil rights organisation, has submitted an urgent application to the North Gauteng High Court to interdict the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) from approving municipal electricity tariff increases.

The annual electricity tariff increase is set to take place on July 1.

The organisation applied for the interdict on the grounds that a cost study must be completed as part of the municipal application for tariff increases, as prescribed by the Electricity Regulation Act 4 of 2006.

The organisation has accused NERSA of disregarding this legislation by allowing municipalities to apply for tariff increases without completing a cost study.

“The applications of municipalities that do not have cost studies are simply based on an estimate of what it costs to provide the service. However, applications for tariff increases must be made on accurately calculated figures that will ensure that fair tariff increases are passed on to consumers,” said Morné Mostert, Manager of Local Government Affairs at AfriForum.

Energize reached out to NERSA who declined to comment on the issue while it is still in court.