{
  "id": 14118085,
  "title": "‘Millions will remain in the dark’: Eskom tariff increases challenged at NERSA public hearing",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/millions-will-remain-in-the-dark-eskom-tariff-increases-challenged-at",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-13T04:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/the-star/2026-10-13-millions-will-remain-in-the-dark-eskom-tariff-increases-challenged-at-nersa-public-hearing/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Stakeholders have raised concerns during a public hearing by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) about the proposed tariff restructuring by Eskom, warning that struggling households could be disproportionately affected by the increase. Civil society, political representatives, and local government have expressed their worry that the proposed changes could make electricity less affordable for vulnerable families, pensioners, businesses, and the country's broader economic prospects. Sabelo Chalufu, founder and director of the Better Governance Initiative (BGI), called for NERSA to reject Eskom's application, stating that the regulator must scrutinize the proposal rather than simply approve another increase. The City of Cape Town also expressed concerns about affordability, warning that further electricity cost pressures could undermine efforts to support vulnerable residents and stimulate economic growth.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}