Economy

MBABANE – Consumers in remote and rural areas say they were left out of the public hearings on the proposed electricity tariff increase.

This has raised concerns that the consultation process failed to capture the true views of communities likely to be most affected by the increased electricity costs.

Residents from areas such as Lavumisa, Pigg’s Peak and Mankayane, where the exercise has previously been conducted, raised concerns that the tariff increase proposal announcement may not reflect a true representation of the populance, as they feel excluded.

The consultations only covered Manzini, Ezulwini, Siteki, Mbabane and Nhlangano. The exercise followed an application by the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) for an average electricity tariff increase of 20.67 per cent for the 2026/27 financial year.

The entity has cited rising import costs and an under-recovery recorded in the previous financial period.

Mayiwane Indvuna Yenkhundla, Magolide Nxumalo, revealed that electricity is consumed by the masses and it is only fair that they get an equal and fair opportunity to voice their concerns whenever there are any developments in the supply of the service.

He said not being afforded the opportunity to voice their concerns is disheartening, regardless of whether the final decision will be in favour of the consumer or not.

He mentioned that government is on a drive to implement decentralisation and it is in small functions like this that the concept should be appreciated by the masses.

He revealed that travelling from Mayiwane to Mbabane, where consultations were held under the Hhohho Region, would normally cost at least E95, a cost he said many rural residents could not afford.

Travelling from Lavumisa to Nhlangano costs as high as E70, while travelling from Mankayane to Manzini costs around E50.

Nxumalo’s remarks echo broader sentiments expressed by residents in various parts of the country, who feel that distance, transport costs and limited consultation venues effectively exclude them from participating in national regulatory processes.

ESERA has given clarity on the matter, saying time constraints, statutory deadlines and declining attendance patterns made it difficult to cover every locality.

Speaking in an interview with this publication, Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) Chief Executive Officer Sikhumbuzo Tsabedze acknowledged public frustration over the limited geographical spread of consultations this year, but insisted the process was conducted in good faith and within the confines of the law.

 “It is unfortunate, but sometimes you lose the bigger picture,” said Tsabe-dze. “The reality is that we were under significant time pressure and the law required us to complete the consultations within a very tight timeframe.”

Tsabedze explained that the authority conducted what he described as ‘marathon consultations’, running for five consecutive days in order to meet statutory deadlines governing tariff determinations.

 “Last time, we increased the number of places we visited. We went to Lavumisa, Pigg’s Peak and Mankayane.

“This time, we had to limit the consultations to one period because we were constrained by available time and the pressure imposed by the law,” he said.

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Tariff announcement may delay – Tsabedze

MBABANE – While the law requires the tariff announcement to be issued by February 1, Tsabedze indicated this may shift slightly.

Tsabedze said given the volume of submissions and the work involved, they may finalise within the first week of February.

He stressed that while the final decision may not satisfy everyone, it must be defensible and in the national interest.

“Our responsibility is to make a decision that any reasonable regulator, placed in our position, would arrive at,” he said.

Tsabedze mentioned this while outlining the next steps in the tariff determination process.

He said they will now analyse the submissions and push further questions to EEC. He mentioned that they will test their figures, reconcile them and determine their own.

*Full article available on Pressreader*

Members of the public following proceedings of the consultation meeting at Bethesda Church recently. (File pic)

Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) Chief Executive Officer, Sikhumbuzo Tsabedze. (Courtesy pic)