Eskom has announced a load reduction across various areas in Gauteng due to continued pressure on transformers and mini-substations. Illegal connections and electricity theft have heavily burdened the electrical infrastructure, forcing Eskom to implement load reduction as a preventative measure to avoid equipment damage. While loadshedding remains suspended, load reduction will take place on Wednesday, 18 September 2024, from 17:00 to 22:00.
The following areas are affected:
- Soweto: Meadowlands West Zone 9 & 10, Dube, Dube Ext 1, Mofolo-East, Meadowlands Zone 6, 7, 8 & 9, Meadowlands East Zone 3 & 4, Jabavu Ext 1, 2-West & 3, Mofolo South, Mofolo-West
- Cosmo City: Including Cosmo City Ext 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10, Sonnedal AH, Sonnedal AH Proper, Zandspruit Outlying
- Hillsview East, Luipaardsvlei, Riverside
- Rietvallei Ext 2 & 3
- Slovoville: Including Slovoville Ext 1 and South Roodepoort Main Reef Areas Gold Mine
- Chiawelo
- Diepsloot: Including Diepsloot West Ext 1, Diepsloot West 1, 2 & 3
- City of Johannesburg Rural Lakeside
- Orange Farm: Orange Farm Ext 1, 2, 3, 4, 7-East, 8; Stretford Ext 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 & 10
- Sharpeville: Including Sharpeville Outlying, Tshepiso
- Elandsfontein AH
- Homestead Apple Orchards AH-West, Ironside AH-West, Vereeniging NU Outlying-C, Blignautsrus AH, Golf View SH, Drumblade AH, Klipview AH-East, North, & West, Roodepoort
- Lakeside Ext 5, Balmoral Estates, De Deur, Walkers Fruit Farms AH-East
- Evaton: Including Evaton Central, Evaton Small Farms, Evaton West
- Vosloorus: Ext 2, 14 & 25
- Sebokeng: Unit 1, 7, 8, 12, 1-East & 11-East
Eskom urges all residents in the affected areas to switch off electrical appliances during the load reduction period to avoid damage from potential power surges when the electricity supply is restored. Eskom also warns that failure to do so may lead to transformer trips and household appliance damage. Residents are also requested not to report these outages as they are part of planned load reduction measures.
In its statement, Eskom encourages communities to help curb illegal activities like electricity theft and meter bypasses, which are some of the root causes behind these load reduction measures. The public can report such activities via the Eskom Crime-Line at 0800 11 27 22.
