Eskom ups load shedding to stage 4, blackouts to last all weekend
Load shedding has been pushed to stage 4 from 2pm on Friday until 5am on Saturday.
It will then continue from Saturday on stage 2 until 5am on Monday.
The country has already been plunged into darkness from this morning on stage 2.
Eskom's Sikonathi Mantshantsha says the move to stage 4 is as a result of the shutdown of three-generational units at Kendal Power Station and a trip of a unit each at Tutuka and Matimba power stations.
He says this came on top of a delayed return to service of a unit each at Majuba and Lethabo power stations.
"Stage 4 load shedding is necessary to stop the use of OCGT generators in order to preserve the remaining fuel at these power stations, which is critically low.
"There is insufficient diesel available in the country to continue generating with the OCGTs at the current rate.
"It is anticipated that some generating units will return to service later today and overnight allowing a reduction to stage 2 load shedding for the remainder of the weekend.
"Stage 2 load shedding is necessary to replenish emergency generation reserves particularly at the pump storage schemes for the week ahead."
