Power
Eskom should drop profit pursuit, says South African opposition leader
Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema argues that Eskom should cover only operational costs to lower electricity tariffs.
Key points
- Julius Malema campaigned in Heilbron on 17 October 2026 ahead of upcoming elections.
- The EFF leader argued that domestic coal production should translate to lower electricity costs.
- Malema proposed linking social grant databases directly to municipal platforms for indigent support.
Tariff proposals
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has stated that Eskom should operate without a profit motive to reduce electricity costs for South African consumers, according to Briefly News and SABC News reporting.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Heilbron on 17 October 2026, Malema argued that domestic coal production means the actual generation cost is relatively low. He suggested the state-owned utility should generate only enough revenue to cover operational expenses.
Social support alignment
Beyond power tariffs, Malema proposed closer coordination between social security agencies and local municipalities. He advocated for linking the South African Social Security Agency database directly to municipal platforms.
This integration would automatically classify grant recipients as indigent residents, removing the need for separate administrative applications. The rally formed part of the EFF campaign for elections scheduled for 4 November 2026.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Grids decide whether generation becomes power that homes and businesses can rely on. Generation mix, transmission and distribution losses, and tariffs together shape reliability and the case for investment.
90.2% of people in South Africa had electricity in 2024Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
