Eskom implements loading shedding, Ekurhuleni first

The Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipality started cutting power on Friday, at the request of Eskom.

"The municipality has been requested to reduce its load by at least 150MW and will be switching off various areas to meet this requirement," said municipal spokesman Themba Gadebe.

"Residents are urged to treat all electrical network points and equipment as electrically alive at all times," he said.

The schedules for when the cuts will take place were on the municipality's website.

On Friday afternoon, Eskom started with scheduled blackouts that it said would continue until 8pm.

On Thursday, Eskom said the power system was severely constrained as a result of unforeseen technical problems at power stations.