Stage 4 load-shedding continued until 05:00 on Thursday morning and was then reduced to Stage 3 load-shedding until 05:00 on Saturday morning.

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Stage 4 loadshedding will continue to be implemented until 05:00 on Thursday morning and will then be reduced to Stage 3 until 05:00 on Saturday morning pic.twitter.com/iZbZu2L52a

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) October 5, 2022

The power utility’s manager of customer services, Ezekiel Baruti, tells OFM News that a list is circulating between Eskom and the North West Provincial Government, including North West hospitals. 

On Wednesday, the MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha, was left fuming and accused Eskom of excluding them from being exempted from load-shedding whilst other hospitals from other provinces were given such courtesy.

“As the MEC for Health in the North West, I find it very difficult to accept that there is not even one hospital from the North West on Eskom's list of hospitals to be exempted from load-shedding. Yet, the North West Department of Health submitted its list like all other provinces. In fact, at one time the Rob Ferreira Hospital in Mpumalanga was referred to be under North West, and when I received that I sent a message to the Minister of Health, Joe Phaahla. The Director-General (DG) of Health then corrected it and still insisted that a North West Hospital must be included. It’s surprising that we see a list circulating in the public, that only excludes the North West. We want to make it very clear that we will reject any attempt by Eskom not to include the North West on the list of hospitals not to be load-shedded, in actual fact, our view as the North West - and my view as the MEC - is that Eskom must simply be told to stop load-shedding the essential services. Otherwise, why are services declared as essential services if they can’t get electricity. Eskom must stop load-shedding the essential services.”

ALSO READ: Stop power cuts at North West hospitals, or else – MEC

However, Baruri says the power utility is working with the provincial government to explore technical solutions where necessary to exempt the hospitals. “Eskom had a discussion with the province, between its senior management and Provincial Government's technical representatives. The conclusion was that technical information was required from the municipal areas, and part of that information was received on 4 October 2022. Further engagement will be held in due course,” Baruti adds.

Last week, the minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, announced a new board for the power utility following a backlash from opposition parties and the public to fire the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO), André de Ruyter, and the board.

ALSO READ: Minister Pravin Gordhan on appointment of the new Eskom SOC Ltd board of directors

OFM News