Irate South Africans have taken to Twitter to voice their frustrations with the ailing state of the country and are calling for a national shutdown.

This comes after the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) approved an 18.65% electricity tariff increase for the 2023/24 financial year.

The regulator further gave Eskom another 12.74% nod for the 2024/25 financial year, Nersa announced on Thursday.

Since Wednesday, the country has been experiencing stage 6 load-shedding, which Eskom said will be implemented ‘until further notice’.

The hashtag #NationalShutdown trended on Twitter for most of yesterday, with people calling for a national shutdown protest on February 14 at the Union Building in Pretoria to voice their anger against Eskom, load-shedding, and other economic issues affecting the country.

There is a national shutdown on the 14th of February, all roads lead to Union Building in Pretoria, we fighting against Eskom and Loadshedding save the date

— Shotgun 💣 (@KingDon_za) January 12, 2023

Every province, everyone needs to take part in the #NationalShutdown
The future of SA depends on it. Shut everything down, put the keyboards down and take it to the streets

— 😍QueenKunta😍 (@QueenKunta_198) January 13, 2023

National Shutdown ifuna engathi ingaba this coming Monday while everyone is still angry, not on 14 February when everyone will be buying roses and planning dinner dates #NationalShutdown

— XOLI (@Mbhele_Xoli) January 13, 2023

The national shutdown won't end on twitter this time aker?
Seriously, nothing makes politicians tremble like when people come together without them.#NationalShutdown

— Ofentse Motumi 🇿🇦 (@officialofentse) January 13, 2023

I think the only way a national shutdown occurs is if companies join in too. Many people want to be a part of shutdowns when they are planned but the reality is not many are willing to risk losing a job for it (understandably so). https://t.co/g19K1zc4Dx

— Freddy (@AlfredoTaGinci) January 11, 2023

Also read: South Africans feel powerless as electricity price hike worsens suffering