Load-Shedding Could Escalate as Relationships with Service Providers Sour

LOCAL NEWS

• South Africa's load shedding crisis could escalate as Eskom's relationship with service providers has reportedly soured to the point that critical work at the Kusile power stations has stopped – and could cause a several month delay before it returns to operation.
  • A contractual dispute with Eskom & Tekova Mining has reportedly led to work on coal conveyor belts ceasing for two weeks. Work stopped after Eskom stopped paying the company handling the process.
  • Eskom said it stopped the payments to offset overpayments of around R500m it made over the years
• Eskom is currently running on expensive diesel reserves, which were already critically low and has warned load-shedding may be escalated this week as the system remains vulnerable
• DA says it ill not make coalitions with the ANC or EFF and would rather form strong opposition in hung metros than work with parties that are not on the same page.
  • IFP and Good parties have also snubbed the ANC, which could lead to more ANC-EFF partnerships – which is of concern as it could yield more left-leaning policy.
• Health dept says there are no indications yet that SA will move to a higher lockdown level or have more restrictions imposed. However, there are worries that a fourth wave will start in the coming months, driven by gatherings over the festive season, and possibly sparked by a new variant.
  • The department said it is tracking a host of factors, including people's behaviour, the vaccine rollout and new variants. However, as things stand now, the country is still riding a quiet period