Freezing Temperatures Grip Gauteng as Cold Front Moves In: Joburg Emergency Services on High Alert

Joburg Emergency Services urges residents to stay warm and vigilant, while Eskom holds the line on load shedding.

Winter has truly arrived in Gauteng, and it hasn’t come quietly. Temperatures in parts of the province have plunged below freezing, forcing residents to pile on the blankets and brace for icy mornings. As the cold front settles in, authorities are warning people to stay cautious, especially when it comes to staying warm.

Zero Degrees and Counting

On Friday morning, Gauteng Weather reported bone-chilling temperatures across the province. Johannesburg’s thermometer hovered at 0°C, Pretoria wasn’t much better at 2°C, and Vereeniging dipped to a frosty -2°C. For many in the region, this is the coldest it’s been all year.

Johannesburg Emergency Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi has called on residents to take extra care, particularly when using heaters, braziers, paraffin stoves, or imbaulas.

“Don’t leave these heating devices unattended,” he cautioned. “These temperatures are extreme, and they raise the risk of house fires and carbon monoxide poisoning if safety rules aren’t followed.”

Emergency Teams on Standby Across Joburg

Mulaudzi said the city’s emergency and disaster management units are on high alert across all seven regions. Their job? Responding swiftly to cold-related emergencies, be it fires, hypothermia cases, or other winter-weather incidents.

“If there’s a life-threatening emergency, residents should call our 24/7 line at 011 375 5911,” he added.

Joburg Emergency Services Robert Mulaudzi has urged Gauteng residents to double their blankets but also take precautions when using heating appliances as a cold front sweeps across the province. #Gauteng #ColdFront #Johannesburg #EmergencyServices @TheCitizen_News pic.twitter.com/HrmHCWwW5H

— 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) June 27, 2025

Eskom Holds the Line, For Now

There’s a silver lining in this freeze: no load shedding. Eskom, often under fire during winter months, says the power system is holding up. Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena confirmed that they’ve ramped up generation capacity and are using emergency reserves strategically during high-demand periods.

“We plan to return 2 100 megawatts to service this week, which will help manage the spike in electricity usage due to the cold,” Mokwena said.

This is welcome news for households already grappling with electric heaters and boiling kettles working overtime.

🌬️ Bitter Cold & Icy Winds… We’re Taking Action ❄️🧣

As freezing winds hit the city tonight, our Vision Tactical teams are out with community members, handing out blankets to the homeless battling the cold.

This cold isn’t just uncomfortable… it’s dangerous. Every blanket… pic.twitter.com/mJFbiOdni7

— Vision Tactical (@visiontactical) June 26, 2025

The Bigger Picture: A Fragile Recovery

Back in May, Eskom said it was targeting an additional 2.5GW of power for winter, as long as unplanned breakdowns remained below 13GW. So far, they’re sticking to the plan.

It’s a far cry from earlier in the year when South Africa endured load shedding stages 3 to 6 during January and February. That stretch of blackouts came after a relatively stable 10-month streak.

This winter’s stability, however, remains delicate. One major breakdown could send the grid into familiar territory.

Stay Warm, Stay Safe

Gauteng’s cold snap is expected to stick around for a few more days. While the snow may be falling in the Eastern Cape and Cape provinces, Joburg and surrounds are dealing with their own icy reality.

In a city where informal settlements are particularly vulnerable to fire and cold-related injuries, the message from officials is clear: winter safety starts at home.

So wrap up, stay warm and if you must use a heater, never leave it unattended.

Emergency Contact:
📞 City of Johannesburg Emergency Services: 011 375 5911
🔥 To report fire or gas emergencies: 112 from any cellphone

Stay tuned to Gauteng Weather and municipal alerts for the latest updates.

{Source: The Citizen}

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