Soweto residents take on Eskom over soaring electricity costs

Frustration boiled over in Soweto as hundreds of residents marched to Eskom’s Megawatt Park headquarters, demanding urgent relief from rising electricity costs and ongoing power cuts. Protesters are calling for a flat monthly rate of R350, an end to load reduction, and sweeping leadership changes at Eskom in the area. Many, particularly elderly residents, say they are struggling to cope with escalating tariffs and unreliable supply. Eskom has been given 14 days to respond, as tensions mount following an approved 8.76% tariff hike by NERSA. Phemelo speaks to Thabo Ngayo of the Soweto Electricity Crisis Forum and Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena.