Malema slams Soweto residents for ballooning Eskom debt

EFF leader Julius Malema says the Soweto residents who can afford to pay for electricity, but fail to do so, are betraying the struggle of poor people.

Speaking outside the Eskom headquarters in Johannesburg on Friday, Malema urged supporters to pay their electricity bills to prevent an even worse crisis at the cash-strapped power utility.

The red berets marched to Megawatt Park to vent their anger against load shedding and the plans to privatise the embattled power utility.

Malema said the culture of non-payment must come to an end.

"Let us be honest, people of Soweto, those who can afford to pay let us pay for electricity. Let us not hide behind the poor."

Soweto residents are waged in a bitter battle with Eskom, calling for the power utility to introduce a flat rate for low income households who cannot afford to pay for electricity.

Eskom is battling to recover debt from some electricity users with Soweto residents allegedly owing close to R14 billion, despite previous debts being scrapped with an agreement that customers will start paying.

Malema also briefly met with Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter to hand over a memorandum of demands.