Competition Commission lights a fuse on runaway utility hikes

Water and electricity tariffs have surged at more than double the headline inflation rate

A new Competition Commission report shows water and electricity tariffs have surged more than double headline inflation since 2020, casting administered prices into the glare of public scrutiny and handing the antitrust watchdog and policymakers a dossier of indisputable numbers for potential reform.

The inaugural Cost of Living Report, compiled using Stats SA consumer price index data for relevant categories, showed that electricity tariffs have surged 68% and water charges have climbed 50% since 2020, far outpacing the 28% rise in headline inflation over the same period...