Eskom’s Seven Hour Power Outage To Hit Parts Of Gauteng On Tuesday

Residents in Daveyton will need to brace for a long Tuesday without electricity as Eskom prepares to switch off supply for seven hours to carry out essential maintenance on its distribution network. While South Africans have become used to sudden outages linked to load shedding, this particular cut is part of planned maintenance work that Eskom says is necessary to prevent bigger failures down the line.

Why Tuesday’s outage is necessary

Eskom confirmed that the outage will take place on 17 February from 9:00 to 16:00, affecting customers specifically in Daveyton Ext 2. The utility says the work involves inspecting and repairing parts of the distribution system that cannot be handled safely while the lines are live.

This is part of the utility’s broader effort to stabilise Gauteng’s grid. Ageing infrastructure remains one of the province’s biggest challenges, especially in high-density townships like Daveyton, where years of demand have outpaced maintenance cycles.

For many locals, planned outages are often easier to manage than unexpected blackouts. At the very least, households and business owners know when to prepare for the disruption.

What this means for residents and businesses

Eskom acknowledges that a seven hour outage is inconvenient, but insists this kind of preventative work remains one of the few ways to avoid the unplanned breakdowns that have become a familiar feature in Gauteng.

Residents relying on electricity for work from home will need to make arrangements, whether that means charging devices ahead of time, organising backup connectivity or shifting work schedules. Small businesses that depend heavily on power, such as salons, fast food outlets and spaza shops, may face temporary downtime.

In its notice, Eskom urged customers to plan accordingly and consider how the outage may affect day to day operations. These planned interruptions are usually scheduled during the day to reduce safety risks for technical teams and to ensure visibility while maintenance is carried out.

Eskom’s safety warning

Eskom has also reminded residents not to assume that power will remain off for the entire seven hour window. Electricity supply can be restored earlier than expected if work is completed ahead of schedule.

For this reason, the utility issued a clear safety warning:
Treat all electrical appliances as live at all times.

This is a standard reminder during maintenance operations, aimed at preventing injuries or accidental damage when the power comes back unexpectedly.

Could the schedule change?

Eskom says unforeseen circumstances could delay or alter Tuesday’s plans. Maintenance work of this nature sometimes depends on weather conditions and workflow, and the utility has cautioned that the scheduled outage may not proceed exactly as communicated if complications arise.

Still, Eskom thanked residents for their patience, acknowledging the inconvenience while emphasising the long term benefits of a more reliable network.

{Source:The South African}

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