The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted the first batch of over 200 000 signatures, on its petition against Eskom's proposed 40% price hike, to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), describing it as a powerful call from South Africans for urgent action on the ongoing energy crisis.

The DA protested outside Nersa's offices in Pretoria, on Thursday. Party spokesperson on energy and electricity Kevin Mileham explained that the petition signalled the “frustration and fatigue” of South Africans facing the economic and social impacts of high electricity prices, a cost-of-living crisis, a recent history of loadshedding and unreliable power supply in hundreds of municipalities.

Mileham highlighted that the party had been inundated with residents opposing “the ridiculous tariff hike”.

He pointed out that the DA’s petition amplified the voices of citizens who were demanding accountability and transparency from Nersa to reject Eskom's application for an effective 40% price hike next year.

“It is now up to Nersa to heed this call and take decisive action to prioritise the needs of the people over continued failures,” he said.

The party urged the public to participate in Nersa’s public hearings on the electricity tariff hike application from Eskom.

Mileham said his party remained committed to fighting for “sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy solutions that will support our economy and society”.

Last month, the DA urged State power utility Eskom to withdraw what it termed a "futile and costly legal dispute" of Nersa's issuance of four new electricity trading licences and to support the transformation of South Africa’s energy sector.