Proposal That Sowetans Pay R150 Monthly Flat Rate For Electricity Gets Netizens Heated Up

Riyaz Patel

The South African National Civic Organisation SANCO along with ANC Soweto councillor Mpho Sesedinyane believes a R150 monthly flat rate for electricity could be a starting point to address the country’s non-payment woes. 

They believe the move could help foster a culture of payment among Sowetans.

Soweto owes Eskom almost R20-billion – almost half of the total local municipal debt owed to the cash-strapped electricity utility, and Eskom has started disconnecting power at non-paying households as a consequence.

Sesedinyane said the culture of non-payment dates back to apartheid when residents were told not to pay for public services as an act of resistance.

“Our people were told not to pay for services, not to pay for electricity.”

“We need to bring them back and say, we have won the country now. It is us [the ANC] that are governing now, can we now start to contribute and pay Eskom,”