Julius Malema Calls for SASSA Grant Beneficiaries to Be Spared Water and Electricity Bills

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has renewed the party’s call for insourcing, while arguing that South Africans who depend on social grants from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) should not be expected to use that money to pay for water and electricity.

Malema shared the views while addressing an EFF rally at KaMaqhekeza Stadium in Mpumalanga, where he outlined the party’s position on social assistance and access to essential services.

According to the EFF leader, social grants are meant to provide financial support to people struggling to meet their basic needs. He argued that beneficiaries should not have to spend this limited assistance on municipal water and electricity bills.

Malema’s remarks have brought renewed attention to the cost of essential services, particularly for low-income households that rely on government support to survive. Many vulnerable families face the challenge of stretching their monthly income to cover food, transport, housing and other necessities.

The EFF leader’s position suggests that grant recipients should receive greater protection from the financial burden associated with accessing basic services. However, the remarks did not provide specific details about how the proposed exemption would be implemented or which categories of beneficiaries would qualify.

During his address, Malema also reiterated the EFF’s support for insourcing. The policy generally involves employing workers directly through the organisation or public institution that requires their services, rather than relying on outside contractors.

The party has frequently promoted insourcing as a way to improve workers’ conditions, strengthen job security and ensure greater accountability in service delivery. Supporters of the approach argue that it can address concerns about low wages and the costs associated with outsourcing services.

However, implementing a policy that exempts SASSA beneficiaries from paying for water and electricity would raise important questions about eligibility, funding and the financial responsibilities of municipalities.

Local authorities would need to determine how the proposed relief could be financed without undermining their ability to maintain infrastructure and provide reliable services to residents. The EFF would also need to clarify the practical details of the proposal before its potential impact could be assessed.

Malema’s comments form part of the party’s broader political campaign focusing on poverty, economic inequality, workers’ rights and social protection.

The proposal is likely to fuel further debate about how government can ease the financial pressure on vulnerable households while ensuring that municipalities remain financially sustainable.

For now, the remarks reflect the EFF’s position on social grants and basic services, but a detailed implementation plan for exempting beneficiaries from water and electricity charges was not outlined in the address.

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