Load-shedding still uncertain

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is bracing for possible load-shedding over the weekend as Eskom announced a power system emergency yesterday.
The power utility blamed some of its staff for the unstable electricity supply, saying they were taking part in an illegal protest.
While it was not clear if the power supply across the country would be affected at the weekend by the impasse over no wage increases, the municipality said it would wait for direction from Eskom.
Eskom yesterday warned that there was a high risk of loadshedding over the weekend.
“Eskom is working with all the relevant stakeholders to keep its plant operating optimally.
“However there is a high risk of load-shedding over the weekend,” the parastatal said in a statement.
Eskom called on all consumers to assist by reducing their electricity consumption by switching off geysers, electric heating, pool pumps, and all non-essential appliances throughout the day.
“Customers are cautioned to treat all electrical connections as live during this period,” it warned.
Stage one of load-shedding was implemented yesterday, with the geysers in some areas in the metro switched off.
Municipal spokesman Mthubanzi Mniki said plans were only in place to communicate which areas would be affected and officials were dependent on residents using electricity sparingly.
“There is not much we can do, we depend on residents’ drastically decreasing their electricity consumption.
“Then the impact will be minimal,” he said.
“Eskom keeps us updated about the developments in the meantime.”
Meanwhile, National Union of Mineworkers of South Africa spokeswoman Phakama Hlubi-Majola said the union condemned claims of sabotage made by Eskom.
“We must set the record straight. Our members are not on strike. Our members together with the NUM [National Union of Mineworkers] picketed and demonstrated on Thursday at Eskom plants across the country.”
Hlubi-Majola said the members were merely expressing their disgust at the state-owned entity after it insulted them with a 0% wage increase offer.
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