Stage 6 load-shedding will start at 14:00 today and will also be in place from early tomorrow morning until midnight.

Eskom says that a large number of employees are absent and there is widespread intimidation of employees that have reported for work.

The load-shedding stages for today and tomorrow are as follows:

• Today 14:00 – 00:00 – stage 6.
• From midnight until 05:00 – stage 4.
• Tomorrow from 05:00 to midnight – stage 6.

Stage 4 or higher is forecasted for the weekend with Eskom saying it will communicate changes, often at short notice, as needed.

This makes it difficult to conduct routine maintenance and will negatively impact the reliability of generation units, Eskom says.

The power utility says that the unlawful strike is detrimental not only to Eskom but to the South African economy.

Eskom says union members who are performing an essential service have a legal and moral obligation to return to work.