The call by President Cyril Ramaphosa for the Eskom board to consider ways of postponing the 18.65% tariff increase approved recently by the regulator has received support from cash-strapped and loadshedding-fatigued consumers. However, it also lacks any legal basis and has the potential to cause significant commercial damage to Eskom at a time when financial certainty is needed regarding whether it can cover the costs of operations and much-needed maintenance, as well as to expand the grid to cater for crucial new generation.