Ping goes the phone, and just like that, stage four load shedding has kicked into action.

You’re using the EskomSePush app, right? Get on that if you’re not.

These outages are already changing the way we plan our days, so it’s no surprise that the mention of stage five and six struck fear into the hearts of many.

Yesterday, Fin24 reported that officials had started preparations for stage five and six, in order to avoid national blackouts and a total grid collapse.

Some of the basics from that report:

Stage 5 and Stage 6 load shedding imply shedding 5000 MW and 6000 MW respectively.

For businesses and residential consumers, it means more frequent cuts of the same duration, depending on where you live and who supplies your power.

Eskom’s website also contains load shedding schedules up to Stage 8 but has not implemented stages beyond Stage 4.

Eskom was quick to hit back, rubbishing the idea of stages five and six, releasing a statement via Twitter:

My first question is who the hell chose that font? No, man.

Now can we have Eskom’s response to reports that there is sabotage from their own employees?

After Eskom’s denial, energy expert Ted Blom appeared on eNCA, and he didn’t mess around.

Blom said stage five is already happening:

“Lost control of the system” – there’s a phrase you don’t want to hear with regards your national power system.

During an appearance on Business Day TV, Blom was even more damning, saying that there are more than 10 000 corrupt employees at Eskom .

Watch from the 1:40 mark below:

Lies, incompetence, and more lies – all part of covering your tracks ahead of a national election.

[sources:fin24&enca]