Kaunda Selisho

By Kaunda Selisho

Journalist


Eskom warns against fake WhatsApp advisory

Eskom insists voice notes warning of looming strike action that could cripple the nation's power supply are fake.


In the wake of widespread fake WhatsApp advisories allegedly causing confusion, the power utility has had to issue a statement to quell rumours that members of staff are being prevented from entering certain power stations and that equipment and resources needed to keep generating units running are unavailable.

Various social media users took to Twitter and Facebook in the last few hours in pursuit of more information on the matter after receiving a voice note that was allegedly recorded by an Eskom contractor, who said that there are big problems at Eskom sites due to strike action that he said left operators and other workers unable to access power stations.

According to My Broadband, the person in the recording can be heard claiming that the spares and equipment needed at the power stations can be delivered as a result of the alleged strike action and as a result, all their work on Eskom sites has been halted.

He added that they had received threats that their vehicles would be set alight and their staff would be assaulted if they tried to enter Eskom sites and that work had to be stopped as a result.

“Eskom is aware of WhatsApp voice messages doing the rounds giving false information and creating unnecessary confusion and panic,” said the company in a statement before adding, “please ignore the messages, they are a hoax.”

Listen to the voice notes below:

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