This is due to the “additional loss of units at our power stations”, according to the struggling energy utility.

Eskom spokesperson Dikatso Mothae said: “We had load shedding over the weekend and there’s a high chance that it will remain for the week and as soon as we have more information into what stage we will implement, we will ensure that we communicate that to the public.”

Eskom has only confirmed that it will stay in place until 11pm on Monday without respite, first indicating that this would be Stage 2 load shedding before announcing the escalation to Stage 4 at 9:13am.

Generating units have remained out of service due to breakdowns and the ongoing rain has wet the utility’s coal.

The utility said there was a “high probability” of load shedding until the end of the week. They have appealed to customers to help reduce demand on the system.