Statement by Nico Pienaar MP – DA Member of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP):
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Public Petitions and Executive Undertakings to express concerns on the Minister of Electricity Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa for stalling his undertaking of the revised Energy Pricing Policy (EPP).
The EPP is important as it regulates the cost of electricity and fuel for consumers. The DA will continue to fight to end the era of double-digit electricity price increases.
The DA notes that the Q1 2026 deadline committed to by the Minister is due to lapse on 31 March 2026. We further note that on 24 March 2026, the Minister made a statement to the National Assembly indicating that the revised Energy Pricing Policy will be released for public consultation within 21 days.
This would mean he risks breaking his own promise.
While the DA welcomes movement on this matter, this announcement does not diminish the need for the Committee’s oversight.
The original undertaking was made on the floor of the NCOP on 16 October 2025, and it is appropriate that the NCOP receives a full account from the Minister on the progress and content of the revised EPP.
The 21-day announcement to the National Assembly on 24 March 2026 only reinforces the urgency of the Committee taking this matter up now, before the revised EPP is released, so that the NCOP is not bypassed entirely in the process.
The DA therefore calls for the Minister of Electricity to finalise the full-scale, independent review of the EPP.
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