'Greedy' Eskom holds out for 35%, takes flak at charged hearing.(News)

control costs and secure alternative funding. Eskom had secured R60 billion in equity from the government and had borrowed R47.7bn from lending institutions. It was also negotiating with the World Bank for a $3.75bn loan and had secured R�bn from the government.

"There is a limit to what the market, government and customers can bear. Therefore, it is in the best interests of all South Africans that an appropriate tariff increase is allowed. And we think that 35 percent, 35 percent, 35 percent is appropriate."

But most people at the hearing were defiant, saying Eskom should make alternative plans to find further income, including stopping paying …