South Africans Fume as Eskom Announces High Risk of Loadshedding
South Africans are bracing for potential load shedding this weekend after Eskom issued a warning about a high risk of power cuts due to increased demand and constraints on the national grid.
This alert comes after over ten months of uninterrupted power supply.
However, the announcement has been met with widespread anger and skepticism, with many accusing the power utility of inefficiency and mismanagement.
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Eskom’s Plea for Conservation
In its statement, Eskom emphasized the need for South Africans to reduce electricity consumption during peak hours to help stabilize the grid.
The utility cited factors such as increased demand during the winter season and ongoing maintenance challenges as reasons for the heightened risk of load shedding.
Public Outrage Over Eskom’s Announcement
The news of possible load shedding has sparked a wave of outrage on social media, with South Africans expressing their frustration and disbelief.
Many criticized Eskom for failing to address long-standing issues, including corruption and inefficiency, which they believe are the root causes of the power crisis.
Some South Africans have gone further, accusing Eskom of using load shedding as a tactic to justify fee increases.
Another user questioned the practicality of Eskom’s plea to use electricity sparingly.
Here are some of the reactions;
@tshepo_kgadima;
This is absurd!! #Eskom is currently only generating electricity from 40% of its installed coal-fired fleet. With EAF purportedly at 62% & Demand at ~26GW, there’s absolutely no plausible cause for #Loadshedding. It’s direct result of corruption, greedy profiteering & ineptitude.
@MrsMonnica;
How does one use electricity “sparingly” HOW ? Having minister of electricity made things worse. It’s time South Africans take action an remove Cyril Ramapeanutbutter!,
@tumelo_br;
It was all a scam!!
@Ntiyiso_jb;
What caused this strain, isn’t the 17 billion profit they made supposed to be used to sort out such
@MyAfricanRootz;
Power strain how ..in the middle of summer..Life was better under Zuma fakhi😭😭
@lukevanin;
There was never a shortage. It was always simply extortion to increase fees. This will continue until they get their fee increase then it will miraculously stop – until the next increase.
@TheKiffness;
Loadshedding never just vanished, it’s a totally manufactured crisis & @Eskom_SA is now using it to beat @NERSA_ZA into submission.
Never negotiate with terrorists!