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.
Whatsapp | Image: Twitter
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.
Whoever created a VoiceNote with misleading information about @Eskom_SA I really pray that your charged for treason cause my mom is sending me a freakin lot of messages because of your stupid false Whatsapp.
— Earl-Ryan September (@earlseptember) April 18, 2019
Got a WhatsApp voice message this morning at 06:31 dated 20190418 stating that Eskom outages #Loadshedding is on the table again, possibly even as from tonight, due to protests. However, I cannot find any confirmation on Twitter or Google. Please comment if you have any info. pic.twitter.com/F3E5HlNEp3
— JG (Johan) van Zyl ✍✝️ (@JGvanZyl_ZA) April 18, 2019
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.”
18 April 2019
Eskom advises the public to ignore fake messages circulating on social media platforms @hoevelder @WITBANK_NEWS @PolokwaneObserv @Sandton_News @RandburgSun @HighwayMail @Dispatch_DD @dailymaverick pic.twitter.com/A22iORzWIY
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) April 18, 2019
Listen to the voice notes below:
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