Amid a surge of panic-inducing posts on social media, Eskom has strongly denied allegations that South Africans should brace for 14-hour power cuts this June. The utility moved quickly to dismiss the widespread claims, which have stirred unnecessary fear and confusion among the public.
According to Eskom, no such lengthy power outages are scheduled, and the current energy situation remains under control.
No Planned Extended Outages, Says Eskom
In a public statement shared via Facebook and other social media platforms, Eskom confirmed that load-shedding has remained suspended since 22:00 on May 15. The power utility emphasized that the national grid is currently stable and there are no plans to introduce excessive outages in the coming weeks.
“The power system is stable, and load-shedding has remained suspended since 22:00 on May 15. There are no planned outages of this scale,” the utility clarified.
Online Misinformation Behind False Panic
The alarm appears to have originated from social media posts and online forums, where users circulated unverified reports warning of extended power cuts. These posts claimed that residents would face 14-hour daily outages in June — a claim Eskom says is completely false.
The utility issued a warning to the public to remain cautious of such content and only trust official communication platforms for updates.
Eskom Calls for Public to Verify Sources
Eskom urged South Africans to remain vigilant and not fall for fake news. Misinformation like this not only causes public anxiety but also puts unnecessary pressure on emergency services and infrastructure planning.
“We strongly advise the public to rely on Eskom’s verified communication channels for the latest and most accurate updates,” the company stated.
Outlook for June Remains Stable
At this stage, Eskom’s outlook for June remains optimistic, with no major generation constraints reported. The utility has been working on infrastructure upgrades and maintenance, which have contributed to improved grid performance over recent weeks.
This proactive approach has helped maintain stability, and unless unforeseen events occur, South Africans can expect continued relief from rolling blackouts for the time being.