Eskom at 10:00 decided to heighten load-shedding from stage 2 to stage 4.

This, the power utility says, is due to higher demand – likely as a result of colder temperatures being experienced across the country.

Eskom says this escalated stage of power cuts will continue until 05:00 tomorrow.

“Eskom will publish another update should any significant changes occur,” says crisis communication manager Menzi Mngomezulu.

It is at this stage unclear what level of load-shedding should be expected this weekend.

Cold snap

Colder temperatures usually bring with it a higher demand in electricity supply – adding to the woes of the embattled power utility.

The South African Weather Service earlier this week said a cut-off low will result in cold weather, accompanied by expected ‘overcast and rainy conditions over parts of the Northern Cape, North-West, Gauteng, Free State, KZN and Mpumalanga’.