Eskom protesters put SA on the edge

Load shedding after workers shut stations

Load shedding is back and power utility Eskom says it cannot guarantee that it will keep the lights on amid protests by workers who shut down various power stations yesterday.

“Due to severe power constraints, Eskom will implement stage 1 of load shedding from now [5.50pm] until 20.00 [8pm],” Eskom spokesman Khulu Phasiwe said yesterday evening.

“We cannot make any guarantees due to high levels of intimidation and acts of sabotage at some power stations.”

Yesterday, several power stations in Mpumalanga were blocked by workers who prevented trucks from delivering coal needed to feed funnels that generate electricity.

Thousands of workers affiliated to the National Union of Metalworkers of SA and the National Union of Mineworkers have downed tools over Eskom’s plan of a zero percent salary increase this year.

Sowetan visited Hendrina, Komati and Duvha power stations where the workers had shut down operations.

At the Hendrina power station, only two of the six powergenerating units were operational.

Phasiwe said the station was slowly running out of coal reserves.

“There are no trucks going in because of intimidation,” Phasiwe said.

Selby Mekile, an employee at the Hendrina power station, said the workers would ensure there was a total shut down until Eskom reconsidered its stance on salaries.

At the Duvha power station in eMalahleni, workers formed a human shield at the entrance to the station.

Prince Nkadimeng, an employee at Duvha, said they were at the station to ensure production was at a standstill.

Coal deliveries were also affected at the Komati power station, near Hendrina.

/SANDILE NDLOVU Eskom workers vow not to go back to their posts until the power utility changes its stance on zero percent pay hikes. Coal deliveries at the Duvha power station were affected yesterday.