The SA National Editors' Forum (SANEF) is disturbed that power parastatal Eskom wishes to maintain secrecy about certain submissions contained in its application to the National Regulatory Authority for a 53% increase in electricity tariffs.

The provision of electricity is a vital public service and the increase sought is several times higher than the amount Eskom originally intended requesting, which, itself, was double the inflation rate.

Eskom claims that the secrecy it is requesting relates to coal purchase contracts. According to reports in the media, Eskom some years ago benefited from highly favourable contracts which enabled it to maintain cheap electricity tariffs. Subsequently, Eskom manipulated those contracts in such a way that those cost advantages disappeared resulting in the latest request for an exorbitant tariff increase.

In light of these circumstances, Sanef believes that by maintaining secrecy over certain aspects of the rationale for its tariff increase Eskom could be keeping from the public important information about its conduct of affairs. Thus Eskom seeks to destroy the public's right to know about matters which will significantly increase the cost of electricity to the public.

Sanef calls for the National Energy Regulatory to insist that all the documentation be open to the public.

Issued by: SA National Editors' Forum (SANEF)
09 April 2008