The 11.2% increase tabled in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) council meeting yesterday (31 March 2026) is scheduled to be implemented on 1 July 2026.
In South Africa, the municipal financial year runs from 1 July to 30 June. Even though the council met yesterday to approve the draft budget and tariff structures, the law (Municipal Finance Management Act) dictates that these new rates only kick in at the start of the new financial year.
Key Details Regarding the Increase
- Implementation Date: 1 July 2026.
- The “April 1st” Confusion: You may hear about electricity increases starting today, April 1st. This increase applies only to customers who buy power directly from Eskom. Because the NMBM buys power in bulk and resells it to residents, the “municipal” portion of the increase is delayed until July to align with the local government budget cycle.
- Next Steps (Public Participation): Since the budget was tabled yesterday, the municipality will now enter a 30-day public participation period. Residents and business owners in Gqeberha and surrounding areas will have the opportunity to comment on or object to the 11.2% hike before the final budget is officially adopted in May or June.
How this compares to Eskom
| Customer Type | Increase Date |
| Direct Eskom Customers | 1 April 2026 (8.76%) |
| NMBM Residents (Municipal) | 1 July 2026 (~11.2%) |
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