The Public Servants Association(PSA) has condemned the latest rise in petrol prices as well as the increase in the cost of electricity.
The association says the increases will have a detrimental impact on the livelihoods of workers, including public servants who are already battered.
From today, the price of petrol increased by between 58 and 60 cents per litre. Those living inland will have to fork out up to 67 cents more. Diesel users — however — will see some reprieve this month, as these prices have gone down. Diesel is between 1 cents and 3 cents a litre cheaper.
At the same time, consumers are also now paying more for electricity. That particular price increase came into effect on 1 April.
PSA’s Claude Naicker adds the timing of these price hikes is particularly distressing following the recent announcement of a mere 4.7% salary increase for public servants.
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“PSA is seriously concerned with the fuel and electricity hikes. I think this is going to have a severe impact on the financial resources of public servants and the greater South Africa.”
Eskom will implement the NERSA-approved average electricity price increase from 01 April 2024 pic.twitter.com/9J0FBEa5OS
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) March 28, 2024
This week, power utility Eskom implemented its new electricity tariff of between 12.72% and 12.74%.
This comes after the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) determined the increases in December last year.
The increases are as follows:
- Local authority tariff charges: 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025: 12.72%
- Eskom direct customers: 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025:
- All tariff charges except the affordability subsidy charge: 12.74%.
- Homelight 20A: 12.74%.
- Affordability subsidy charge: 25.24%
