At the Special Drakenstein Council meeting held on Friday, 13 March 2026, Drakenstein Municipality, the majority of Council voted in favour of public participation on the Municipality’s proposed electricity tariff increases for the 2026/2027 financial year. It did not vote in support of Eskom’s proposed 9.01% electricity tariff hike.

“In fact, Councillor Stephen Korabie, Executive Mayor of the Municipality, is on record that he, on behalf of the community of Drakenstein, formally urged the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) to immediately halt Eskom’s plans to increase electricity tariffs by a further 9.01%,” said Alderman Koos le Roux, Speaker of Drakenstein Municipality.

In his formal letter to the Board of NERSA, the Executive Mayor highlighted the severe socio-economic impact such increases would have. Families would be forced to choose between basic necessities and electricity, while local businesses would face higher operating costs – threatening jobs and economic stability. “We request a fair and equitable tariff structure that considers the economic constraints of our residents,” he wrote.

While Eskom is seeking annual hikes of up to 9.01% for the next two years, Drakenstein Municipality is proposing an electricity rate increase of 6.3% for the new financial year. This is based on a cost of supply study completed by the Municipality’s Financial Services department.

“Residents and businesses of Drakenstein will have from 31 March 2026 until 21 April 2026 to comment on these proposed rates increases. This public participation period is aligned with NERSA’s comment window,” explained Alderman le Roux.

Residents and businesses of Drakenstein will also be afforded the opportunity to comment on the cost of supply study from 16 March 2026 until 27 March 2026. Their comments will be included in cost of supply study that the Municipality will submit to NERSA by 31 March 2026.