Eskom Schedules Ten-Hour Power Outage in Gauteng Region
Planned maintenance in Ga-Rankuwa will disrupt electricity supply for ten hours on Tuesday.
1Scheduled Maintenance Disruption
Eskom has officially announced a planned ten-hour power outage affecting parts of Ga-Rankuwa, located north of Pretoria. The interruption is scheduled for Tuesday, 10 November, running from 08:00 until 18:00. This measure is necessary to facilitate essential maintenance work on the local electricity distribution network and power lines.
2Impacted Local Areas
The outage will specifically target customers residing in Block V, Hebron, and Itsoseng Phase 3 and 5. Residents and businesses located within these designated zones are advised to prepare for a full working day without electricity. The utility emphasizes that this maintenance is critical for long-term network stability and safety.
3Preparation for Residents
Households are encouraged to prepare by charging mobile phones and power banks the night before the scheduled outage. Residents should also store sufficient drinking water and plan meals that do not require electrical appliances. These proactive steps help mitigate the inconvenience caused by the prolonged suspension of the power supply.
4Business Operational Adjustments
Local businesses operating within the affected Ga-Rankuwa areas may need to arrange for backup power sources to maintain operations. Alternatively, companies might choose to adjust their trading hours to align with the maintenance window. Planning ahead is essential to minimize financial losses and operational disruptions during the ten-hour service gap.
5Safety Protocols During Outage
Eskom has issued a strict safety warning, advising customers to treat all electrical appliances as live at all times. Power may be restored without prior warning once the maintenance work concludes. Residents should never assume that lines or appliances are safe to touch, as unexpected surges could occur during restoration.
6Contingency and Communication
The utility included a disclaimer noting that the maintenance might not proceed as planned if circumstances beyond their control arise. Customers are urged to stay alert for any updates throughout the day. If power is not restored by 18:00, residents should report the issue as a potential separate network fault.
7Customer Support Channels
Customers can manage supply-related queries through the MyEskom Customer App or by using the WhatsApp line at 086 003 7566. Additionally, the USSD code *120*37566# and a 24-hour contact centre are available for immediate assistance. Bill-related enquiries remain accessible online from Monday to Friday, between 08:00 and 16:00.
8Infrastructure Maintenance Context
Planned outages are a standard procedure for utility providers to prevent unplanned failures on aging distribution grids. By performing routine maintenance on power lines, Eskom aims to reduce the frequency of emergency blackouts in the Gauteng region. Such interventions are vital for maintaining the reliability of the regional electrical infrastructure.
Original article: The South African — Eskom Schedules Ten-Hour Power Outage in Gauteng Region