The ailing power utility has had to implement rolling blackouts for most of the week due to supply constraints caused by breakdowns at multiple generation units.

Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha says CEO André de Ruyter has personally handed over the suspension letters to station managers.

“The board is pleased that some units have since returned to service but is aware that the level of failures is unacceptably high. Whilst it is true that the ageing fleet is plagued by legacy issues of neglect and omitted maintenance and is therefore susceptible to unpredictable breakdowns, it is also true that the situation is exacerbated by serious issues of apathetic behaviour by some management staff.

"Engagements have been held with other power station managers to ensure that the previous culture of weak consequence management will no longer be the norm and will no longer be tolerated at Eskom.”

The utility has also asked the acting managers of the Kriel and Duvha plants to return to their original positions.

"The board and executives are fully cognisant of the substantial strain that load shedding on the wellbeing of citizens, on an already depressed economy and are committed to attaining sustainability and reliability of the Eskom generation plant," says Mantshantsha.

Jacaranda FM