RISING ELECTRICITY COSTS WILL FUEL CRIME, JOB LOOSES AND ECONOMIC DECLINE

Tebogo Mashilompane
National Leader of Forum for South Africa

By Tebogo Mashilompane
National Leader of Forum for South Africa

The Forum for South Africa (FOSA) is deeply concerned about the continued increase in electricity prices, which are now rising far above the rate of inflation.

These increases are placing an unbearable burden on ordinary South Africans, particularly the poor and the working class.

History has shown that when electricity becomes unaffordable, communities are pushed toward illegal connections.

This has happened before and it will happen again.

Expensive electricity creates an environment where criminal syndicates exploit vulnerable communities by facilitating illegal connections and other unlawful activities.

Municipalities are already struggling to collect revenue, and the mushrooming of informal settlements will make it even harder for local governments to manage electricity supply and payment systems.

When electricity becomes too expensive, many households simply cannot afford to pay, which further weakens municipal finances and service delivery.

Businesses, farms and industries are also under severe pressure due to rising electricity costs. Many companies have already begun laying off workers because the cost of electricity makes it difficult to sustain operations.

This will inevitably increase unemployment and further damage the country’s already fragile economy.

While some businesses may consider generators as an alternative, fuel prices are also extremely high, making this option unsustainable for many.

The reality is that it is the poor and the working class who feel the pain of these increases the most.

Unfortunately, many Cabinet Ministers do not experience these struggles because they live with government benefits and subsidies, making them disconnected from the daily hardships faced by ordinary citizens.

FOSA calls on government to urgently intervene and implement proactive solutions to address the electricity crisis.

This includes exploring alternative energy strategies, stabilising electricity pricing, and protecting communities from criminal activities linked to illegal electricity connections.

If the government continues to operate in the current manner without decisive intervention, South Africa will face an endless cycle of rising costs, growing crime, increasing unemployment and deepening poverty.

FOSA once again warns government about the dangers of illegal electricity connections.

We have seen this problem before, and without urgent action, it will escalate again.