Eskom defends load reduction

JOHANNESBURG - Load reduction is not load-shedding. 

That’s the word from Eskom, as South Africans continue to spend time in the dark this winter.

The utility says load reduction is a measure that Eskom uses to protect mini-substations and transformers which cost millions of rands. 

WATCH: LOAD REDUCTION MEASURES CONTINUE IN PARTS OF JOBURG

The utility says more than 2,000 of its transformers are frequently overloaded and at risk of failing. 

Just under 1,000 transformers have been isolated and are awaiting replacement. 

This is mainly caused by electricity theft through illegal connections, network equipment theft, vandalism, meter bypasses and tampering.