'Eskom's tariff hike a ploy to blackmail Govt'

Holomisa says there is no justification for a tariff hike

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa has described Eskom's proposed electricity tariff increase as a ploy to blackmail government to get more money. Holomisa also says there is no justification for a tariff hike unless an investigation is done.

Eskom has applied to the National Energy Regulator for a further 53% increase in tariffs.

The UDM leader says there is no concrete proof to suggest a price increase is necessary. Holomisa is calling for a thorough investigation into the price of electricity before any decision to increase the price is taken.

Father to sue Eskom
Meanwhile the father of 14-year-old Evan Esterhuysen, Ettienne, says he is considering taking legal action following a voltage dip in the electricity supply at the Chris Barnard Hospital in Cape Town. The teenager was scheduled to undergo heart surgery when the power failed.

Only one of the two back generators kicked in. Esterhuysen alleges that the surgeon told him that she had to halt surgery due to the power interruption. Esterhuysen says his son is still sedated. The hospital insists the patient was never in any danger and that surgery had not yet begun when the dip in the voltage occurred.