UPDATE at 6.30pm, 15 June
Govan Mbeki Municipality produced the schedule for the Eskom load shedding (see below) for the area today on its Local Media Whatsapp group after this afternoon’s load shedding.
According to this shedule, Secunda was only supposed to have load shedding from 8pm to 10.30pm tonight.
When the Ridge Times asked Mr Bheki Kubheka, spokesman, why the power was off from 1pm this afternoon, he did not comment.
Meanwhile, large parts of Secunda’s power is still off.
According to Ms Mariaan Chamberlain, DA councillor, problems were experienced when the electricity came on everywhere at once after this afternoon’s load shedding.
She said the sudden high spike in electricity caused a fault in the cable running to Lake Umuzi.
Ms Chamberlain said the areas will be without power until further notice from the municipality.
Areas affected are the Secunda CBD, Helen Joseph Street, Danie Theron Street, Secunda Mall, Lake Umuzi area, Tuscan Village to Koen Brits Street and Pannevis Street.
The Ridge Times could not find a load shedding schedule for Bethal.
HIGHVELD – Eskom commenced with Stage 1 load shedding at 11:29am today, 15 June.
Ms Mariaan Chamberlain, DA Councillor, said a notice was sent out by the Municipal Manager of the Govan Mbeki Municipality that the electricity in the area will be off until 9pm tonight.
“This is due to the impact of the current illegal protest action by some Eskom employees at various sites over wage increases.”
According to the notice from the MM, 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.
Eskom calls 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.
“We would like to thank our workers who have continued working under very difficult circumstances and all South Africans who have heeded the call to action to use electricity sparingly.”
Eskom is load shedding according to the published load shedding schedules, which are available on the Eskom website (loadshedding.eskom.co.za).
Eskom customers can also contact the customer call centre at 0860 037 566 (08600 ESKOM).
Mr Bheki Kubheka, the spokesman for the Govan Mbeki Municipality, sent out an anticipated schedule for load shedding in the GMM area:
Kinross load shedding
Thursday 14 June 2018 – 23:00 to 01:30
Saturday 16 June 2018 – 7:00 to 9:30
Sunday 17 June 2018 – 13:00 – 15:30
Monday 18 June 2018 – 21:00 to 23:30
Wednesday 20 June 2018 – 5:00 to 7:30
Thursday 22 June 2018 – 19:00 to 21:30
Evander load shedding
Saturday 16 June 2018 – 6:00 to 8:30
Sunday 17 June 2018 – 6:00 to 8:30
Monday 18 June 2018 – 8:00 to 10:30
Wednesday 20 June 2018 – 14:00 to 16:30
Trichardt load shedding
Saturday 16 June – 6:00 to 8:00
Sunday 17 June 2018 – 6:00 to 8:30
Tuesday 19 June 2018 – 10:00 to 12:30
Thursday 21 June 2018 – 16:00 to 18:30
Secunda load shedding
Friday 15 June 2018 – 20:00 to 22:30
Monday 18 June 2018 – 8:00 to 10:30
Wednesday 20 June 2018 – 14:00 to 16:30.
