Stage 4 load shedding confirmed for Tuesday

Eskom has said Stage 4 load shedding will be implemented on Tuesday, due to a shortage of capacity.

The power utility implemented Stage 4 load shedding on Monday, which will continue toll 23:00.

"Load shedding will continue shifting to Stage 2 from 23:00 this evening until 09:00 on Tuesday morning," the statement read.

Stage 4 load shedding will be implemented from 09:00 to 23:00 on Tuesday.

• READ: Check your load shedding schedule 

At Stage 4, 80% of the country's electricity demand is still being met, Eskom assured.

"Eskom’s maintenance teams are working round the clock to return generation units to the electricity system."

• READ: 'Stage 4 load shedding is unacceptable, disruptive to economy' – Gordhan

In a statement issued on Sunday, Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan said that load shedding is "unacceptable and disruptive" to the economy,

Gordhan and officials from the department of public enterprises (DPE) had met with Eskom board members and management over the weekend. He and the board were briefed on the power supply shortages.

According to the DPE, reasons given for the shortages include problems with coal supply and coal quality, low dam storage levels at hydro-plants, diesel supply shortages, tube failures and breakdowns of local coal-fired power stations. The natural disaster in Mozambique was also a contributing factor, as it affected power supply imported from Cahora Bassa, the DPE's statement read. 

The minister and chairperson of the Eskom Jabu Mabuza will on Tuesday address media on Eskom and its electricty supply problems.