Update: In tweets, Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan apologises to the country for load-shedding, says it will be tough to overcome
ROSEBANK – Public Enterprise minister Pravin Gordhan says the time for load-shedding is still unknown until an investigation is complete.
Update: 19 March 11.40am
Pravin Gordhan, Public Enterprise Minister apologised to the country for the continuous power outages, after Eskom implemented Stage 2 and Stage 4 load-shedding last week.
In a press briefing with Eskom chairman Jabu Mabuza and CEO Phakamani Hadebe, Gordhan said due to Cyclone Idia in Mozambique, both Eskom lines in the country had collapsed, a special crew of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and Eskom are travelling to Mozambique to access the damage.
Minister Pravin : Both Eskom lines in Mozambique have collapsed due to the cyclone. A special crew of SANDF and Eskom has been flying to Mozambique to look at the extent of damage @NE_Tribune
— Nkosazana (@LungileDube) March 19, 2019
Minister Pravin: Government is doing all it can under the circumstances @NE_Tribune
— Nkosazana (@LungileDube) March 19, 2019
Our sister publication North Eastern Tribune journalist, Lungile Dube has been tweeting live at the event, follow her tweets here:
Minister Pravin : Time frame for load shedding has not yet been established until investigation is complete. Feedback will be given in 14 days @NE_Tribune
— Nkosazana (@LungileDube) March 19, 2019
Minister Pravin : Will start communicating better with South Africans on the issue of load shedding @NE_Tribune
— Nkosazana (@LungileDube) March 19, 2019
Mid Dec to Jan Eskom has been using diesel to generate supply due to a very high demand which is the last resort. As demand grows higher it leads to load shedding to manage supply @NE_Tribune
— Nkosazana (@LungileDube) March 19, 2019
Recently there was a shortfall of more than 7000 MW which lead to stage 4 loadshedding @NE_Tribune
— Nkosazana (@LungileDube) March 19, 2019
To fix the worn out equipment there would have to be load shedding due to low supply and high demand. @NE_Tribune pic.twitter.com/1WinqeCgg4
— Nkosazana (@LungileDube) March 19, 2019
Initial report, 19 March, 8am.
Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan will be joined by Eskom chairman Jabu Mabuza in a joint press briefing addressing the country on the electricity problems facing the state utility.
The two are set to address the media on the electricity supply problems and the current state of Eskom. The power utility initiated Stage 4 load-shedding over the weekend into the new week, with many parts of Johannesburg being hit by planned and unplanned outages. Stage 2 load-shedding was implemented overnight from 11pm until 9am.
Stage 4 rotational load-shedding will begin after 9am, Eskom apologised for the inconvenience.
Stage 2 #Loadshedding will continue today, 19 March until 09h00 this morning whereafter we will move to Stage 4 loadshedding. This is due to a shortage of capacity. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience. @CityPowerJhb @City_Ekurhuleni @centlecutility @eThekwiniM
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) March 19, 2019
Eskom has said the current electricity problems are due to a lack of coal supply and not being able to meet the demands of electricity use.
The briefing is set to be held at Crowne Plaza in Rosebank at 10.30am. Our journalist Lungile Dube will be tweeting live from the event, follow her tweets here.
This is a developing story, more updates to follow.
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