Central SA
Eskom assures public about load-shedding plans─── 11:42 Wed, 28 Sep 2022
Power utility Eskom is placating fears that load-shedding will be increased even more to address current power constraints.
On the back of reports that load-shedding is likely to increase, national spokesperson, Sikonathi Mantshantsha, says that when there is a need for concern, Eskom will communicate with the public on time.
However, he says although sometimes load-shedding will increase, it will only be for a certain period of time when there is a challenge affecting electricity distribution. Thereafter it (load-shedding) will revert to its ‘normal’ schedule.
Mantshantsha adds the information on increased or higher load-shedding schedules do not come from Eskom.
“Eskom has not made such a comment about escalating load-shedding. Eskom says and has always said, load-shedding only happens when it must happen. This is when there is no other alternative, and Eskom announces how much load-shedding there will be. And as I have said, there will be load-shedding for quite some time in South Africa.”
Meanwhile, the Health Minister Joe Phaahla says he is making arrangements to equip healthcare facilities with sufficient and reliable generators, while negotiations to exempt health facilities from this load-shedding crisis continue.
And, while the South African inflation rate is mostly influenced by external factors and international markets, FNB Chief Economist Mamello Matikinca-Ngwenya says the energy crisis remains the biggest contributor to local inflation.
ALSO READ: SA energy crisis biggest contributor to local inflation - economist
Matikinca-Ngwenya's remarks come after the South African Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee increased the repo rate by 75 basis points on Thursday last week.
This pushes the repo rate, at which the central bank loans money to commercial banks, from 5.5% to 6.25%, effective from Friday.
On Wednesday Statistics South Africa announced that consumer inflation eased slightly to 7,6% in August from a 13-year high of 7,8% in July.
But Reserve Bank governor, Lesetja Kganyago, said South Africa's inflation was not yet under control despite a slight decrease to 7.6% in August.
Matikinca-Ngwenya says load-shedding remains the biggest contributor to local inflation.
