Eskom restores power after implementing Stage 1 load shedding

Eskom said late yesterday that it's been forced to reintroduce Stage 1 power cuts - because of the strain on the national power system.  

This is due to the industrial action by its workers belonging to NUM and NUMSA, who are demanding a 15% salary increase. 

 The utility says it can't afford to give employees a salary increase at all this year.   

Workers picketed outside Eskom's headquarters in Joburg yesterday and gave management seven days to respond to their memorandum of demands.

Meanwhile, eThekwini Muncipality released its full load shedding timetable for the city on social media last night.  

Areas including Shallcross, Newlands, Verulam and Umdloti had their lights turned off for about two hours.   

Eskom said last night that while electricity had been restored to all the affected areas - people need to continue to use power sparingly.  

The utility had assured residents and businesses, a day before the strike action, that contingency plans were in place and that we wouldn't have to go without power.  

But Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe tweeted yesterday to say that the power provider's faced intimidation and sabotage by striking employees.  

The National Union of Mineworkers has hit back saying the claim is not true - adding that Eskom is sabotaging itself.

You can find the 2018 load shedding schedule for eThekwini here.

Umhlathuze residents and businesses can find their load shedding schedule below: