The energy regulator (NERSA) has received approval to conduct tribunal proceedings.
This follows the gazetting of rules, in line with the Electricity Regulation Act, 2006 (Act No. 4 of 2006), as amended, the Gas Act, 2001 (Act No. 48 of 2001) and the Petroleum Pipelines Act, 2003 (Act No. 60 of 2003).
The Rules provide comprehensive steps that must be followed when NERSA sits as a tribunal, in matters concerning compliance notices.
This means, NERSA would have power to adjudicate over contraventions by licensees, and impose administrative fines.
Advocate Nomalanga Sithole, NERSA’s Chief Executive Officer, said a tribunal would only sit to deal with matters brought under section 26(2) of the Gas Act, section 25(2) of the Petroleum Pipelines Act or section 18 of the Electricity Regulation Act, as amended.
NERSA intends to hold tribunal hearings to adjudicate over alleged contraventions and non-compliance matters in November 2025.
Although the exact dates and times of all hearings must still be published, Sithole said “the tribunal rules will strengthen the regulatory environment by ensuring that enforcement actions are conducted transparently, fairly and within a clear legal framework. Additionally, the gazetting of the tribunal rules marks a significant step toward enhancing regulatory compliance and accountability in the energy sector.”
The gazetted rules for conducting tribunal proceedings are available on the NERSA website at www.nersa.org.za.