15/05/2026
Good news for free electricity for SASSA beneficiaries - Story by Ray Leathern
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It’s good news regarding free electricity for SASSA beneficiaries. Speaking earlier this week, Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa explained that the rising cost of living is eroding the state’s social wage. And government should do more about it …
Essentially, all of the billions spent on social welfare is being undone by rising fuel, electricity and general living costs. As such, the minister recommends that government increase the amount of free basic electricity for SASSA beneficiaries from the current 50 kWh to 300 kWh.
FREE ELECTRICITY FOR SASSA BENEFICIARIES
In principal, the minister worries that the rising cost of living has begun to undermine the South African Social Security Agency‘s efforts. The agency’s social wage is what it spends to support low-income households. This includes social grants, but also free basic services like electricity, water, rates and refuse, which are available through local municipalities.
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Moreover, the minister wishes to reduce the size of electricity tariff increases. He says Eskom hopes to keep price hikes in line with inflation in the coming years, following a succession of massive increases that are hurting poor South Africans’ pockets.
We wait and See!
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www.ekhwesienergy.co.za
