Eskom to implement 16-hour power outage in Gauteng on Thursday
· The South African
Eskom has announced a planned electricity supply interruption affecting parts of the Tshwane metro this week, as the power utility carries out maintenance on its distribution network.
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According to an Eskom Connect newsletter for the Gauteng Cluster, customers in Ga-Rankuwa Zones 20 and 21 will experience a 16-hour power outage on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, from 8:00 to 24:00. The interruption will then repeat on Thursday, 6 August, from 8:00 to 24:00.
Eskom said the outage is necessary to allow technicians to carry out essential maintenance on the area’s distribution power lines, work that cannot be completed while the lines remain live.
Safety warning for residents
In the interim, Eskom has urged households in the affected area to treat all electrical appliances and connections as live at all times during the maintenance period. This precaution remains in place regardless of how long the power has been off, as unexpected restoration can occur without further warning.
The utility also flagged that the planned schedule could still change. “Please note that, should circumstances beyond the control of Eskom arise, the planned electricity maintenance may not proceed as communicated,” the notice read, meaning residents should stay alert for any updates closer to the time.
Eskom apologised for the inconvenience the extended outage may cause and thanked customers in advance for their cooperation while the maintenance work is carried out.
How to reach Eskom for help
Customers seeking more information or to report supply issues have several channels available. These include the MyEskom Customer self-help app, WhatsApp on 0860037566, and USSD by dialling *120*37566#. Residents can also access the Alfred chatbot via Eskom’s website for automated assistance.
For billing queries, customers can log on to Eskom’s online portal on weekdays between 8:00 and 16:00. Alternatively, Eskom’s Contact Centre is available around the clock on 08600 37566 for supply-related enquiries.