BUSINESSMAN Walter Bennett has raised questions over why the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) appeared to be going against the directive of His Majesty King Mswati III and that of government in its latest electricity tariff increase application.
The former senator recalled His Majesty’s call, dating back to 2006, that electricity should be affordable to every Liswati, as well as a directive from Cabinet to implement only a 7% tariff increase this year, as relayed by the Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Prince Lonkhokhela last year.
Bennett questioned why EEC was not adhering to both directives following its latest tariff hike application.
He was speaking during the ESERA public consultation process held yesterday at Thokoza Conference Centre, where members of the public and stakeholders made submissions on EEC’s application to significantly increase electricity tariffs beyond the previously approved figure.
EEC’s tariff application seeks an average increase of 20.67% for the 2026/27 financial year. The application was submitted to the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) after the utility cited significantly increased costs of imported electricity, under-recovery of costs in previous years and other financial pressures.
Bennett asked why, following a Cabinet decision conveyed through Prince Lonkhokhela that a 7% increase should be applied, EEC opted to seek an additional adjustment instead of adhering to that directive.
He said when last year’s tariff decision was signed, the minister had publicly announced that the tariff would be cut or moderated, only for the public to later witness a substantial upward adjustment being pursued without clear explanations.
Bennett stated that the authority of the minister and Cabinet had been backed by royal assent and questioned which version the nation was expected to believe.
“Why did EEC not reverse the additional increases when the deficit became clear, and why did they not go back to the minister and Cabinet to report and clarify what was happening?” he asked.
He further said there was confusion about how the utility was able to operate on the adjusted tariffs approved during the last review, and how the company bridged the financial gap that emerged after implementation.
Bennett emphasised that the King’s 2006 directive charged EEC with the responsibility of supplying affordable electricity to Emaswati — a mandate he said was being undermined by repeated tariff increases that have rendered electricity unaffordable for many households and businesses.
He noted that citizens were already struggling with the basic cost of living and that higher electricity prices only compounded the pressure.
Bennett also raised concerns about whether the nation should be shouldering the full cost of extending electricity infrastructure to remote and highland areas, where connection costs are significantly higher.
“Why is the cost of getting electricity to people in the hills being passed on to all consumers, and why is there no collaboration with SPTC (Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation) to share infrastructure lines?” he asked, noting that pooled infrastructure could reduce expenses that are ultimately passed on to consumers through higher tariffs.
Another point of concern was the absence of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy at the public hearings.
Bennett said during previous meetings, members of the public had specifically requested the ministry’s presence to hear submissions first-hand.
“I am wondering if the ministry or Cabinet has even received the submissions made by the general public. Had they been receiving them, the ministry would be present at these hearings,” he said.
He added that the country appeared to be increasingly ruled by cabals, with decisions influenced by the interests of those in powerful positions rather than the public.
