“Electricity Shock”: Joburg Man Warns About NERSA Mistake Leading to Massive Electricity Price Hikes

• A Johannesburg electricity expert shared alarming news about NERSA admitting they made a huge calculation error that will result in much higher electricity price increases
• The regulator's mistake means South Africans will face 8.8% increases for two consecutive years instead of the promised 5.4% and 6.2%
• His warning video sparked outrage from viewers already struggling with high electricity bills

A Johannesburg electricity expert has issued an urgent warning to South Africans after NERSA admitted to making a massive calculation error that will cost consumers billions more in electricity bills.

Content creator @djwesreddy, who regularly shares tips on saving electricity and reducing usage, posted a video on 29 August 2025 with the caption:

"Electricity shock: NERSA error."

The clip left viewers worried about their future electricity costs. In the video, he explains how NERSA came out and admitted they miscalculated the electricity price increases for the next two years. Instead of the originally announced increases of 5.4% and 6.2%, South Africans will now face 8.8% increases for both years. This means that after the recent 12.5% increase, the total hike over three years will be a staggering 33%.

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The Johannesburg resident urged viewers to keep learning how to save electricity and consider splitting their power sources between gas, solar, and municipal electricity. His practical advice comes at a time when many families are already struggling to pay their monthly electricity bills, with some reporting costs of R3,000 to R4,000 per month.

South Africans express anger over higher bills

The video struck a nerve with viewers who are already struggling with high electricity costs and feeling frustrated about paying for mistakes they didn't make.

@annelie demanded action:

"Corrupt, please switch off the people who don't pay. Why must we pay for them as well?"

@googlebums shared her shock:

"Mine has gone up over R1000. I can't anymore."

@alison expressed her frustration:

"So once again, ordinary South Africans must pay for mistakes made by regulators and politicians. NERSA messes up, Eskom wins, and we foot the bill."

@coco_hazel_smith observed:

"We are not angry enough as a country."

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@agashnie_moodley revealed her struggle:

"With just 3 people in my household, I pay R3000 in electricity, only my hubby works. So it's safe to say, we'll have lights on with no food on the table."

@neom142 questioned:

"It's not the first time NERSA has done this. How did you miscalculate R54 billion?"

@marti pleaded:

"I'm paying close to R4000 per month already, I can't anymore."

@andrii joked sarcastically:

"Increase it more. 20% at least. Oh, I have solar."

NERSA admits to R54 billion calculation error

According to MyBroadband, the problem started when Eskom challenged NERSA's decision in court, claiming they were entitled to an additional R107 billion in revenue. After investigation, NERSA discovered two major errors in their calculations: one involving depreciation amounts worth R14.5 billion and another related to asset transfers.

The regulator admitted that their mistakes resulted in Eskom being underpaid by R54 billion, which consumers will now have to cover through higher tariffs. The settlement means an extra R12 billion will be added to bills in 2026 through to 2027 and R23 billion in 2027 to 2028, with the remaining R19 billion spread over future years.

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View the TikTok clip below:

Other stories of South Africans battling electricity costs

• Briefly News recently reported on a man who paid R1,600 for just 414 units of electricity and called Eskom his biggest enemy, but what he discovered about his bill breakdown surprised many.
• A funny South African comedian thanked Eskom for getting through winter without load shedding despite high costs, but his real message about the power utility had everyone laughing and crying.
• One Durban man shared his worry after his utility bills jumped by R1,000 in one month, but what he found when he broke down the increases sparked a nationwide debate.

Source: Briefly News