Gauteng Braces for Load Reduction: These Areas Will Be Affected This Week

Gauteng Braces for Load Reduction as Eskom Targets Peak Hours

Eskom has confirmed that several parts of Gauteng will once again face scheduled load reduction this week, with power interruptions planned during high-demand morning and evening periods. While this isn’t the same as traditional load shedding, the impact feels all too familiar for residents already juggling work, schooling, and business disruptions.

Why Load Reduction Is Back

Load reduction is Eskom’s targeted strategy to prevent overloading and infrastructure damage in areas with high electricity demand or illegal connections. Unlike load shedding, which affects the national grid, these cuts focus on specific communities during peak times. For many Gauteng residents, though, the technical distinction doesn’t lessen the inconvenience.

Outages are expected to run between four and five hours, depending on the area. Eskom has urged both residents and business owners to plan around the interruptions.

Morning Outages: 5am to 9am

Parts of Johannesburg and surrounding regions will wake up to dark mornings this week. According to Eskom’s schedule, areas affected during the early slot include:

• Tsakane

• Rietvlei

• Moroka

• Klipspruit

• Chiawelo

Other communities such as Magagula Heights, Cosmo City and Protea North also fall under the morning schedule, alongside several informal settlements and extensions.

Evening Cuts: 5pm to 10pm

The evening rush won’t be spared either. Areas expected to go off-grid during supper-time and beyond include:

• Ga-Rankuwa

• Mavimbela

• Zuma

• Nhlapo and surrounding neighbourhoods

Additional impacted zones include:

• Sharpeville

• Doornkraal

• Sebokeng

• Evaton Central

• Stretford

• Several adjacent extensions

Seven-Day Rotation Offers Some Predictability

The schedule works on a weekly rotation, meaning not all areas are affected at once. However, entire communities are expected to experience at least one outage slot this week. Areas listed on the current rotation include:

• Hebron

• Orange Farm

• Zonkolol

• Katlehong South

• Kopanong

• Moletsane

• Tladi

• Tshepiso

• Drumblade AH

• Soshanguve

• Ivory Park

• Rabie Ridge

• Stretford

Eskom says the system is designed to give households and businesses time to prepare, but locals have mixed feelings. Some communities say the rotation offers relief; others argue that predictable outages don’t make them less disruptive.

Public Reaction and Daily Reality

On social media platforms like X and Facebook, frustration is brewing. Small businesses complain about the cost of fuel for generators. Parents worry about school learners writing exams in candlelight. Township residents say they are punished for electricity theft they didn’t commit.

Even those outside the immediate affected zones are bracing for knock-on effects traffic congestion, network outages, and delayed services.

Check the Schedule Before You’re Hit

Residents are encouraged to consult the official Eskom load reduction schedule to confirm their slot. The utility has published a downloadable document outlining affected areas day by day.

If you’re unsure whether your neighbourhood is included, check the current week’s rotation before planning your day.

Schedule: Load-reduction-schedule-GAUTENG-OCTOBER-2025-2

{Source: The Citizen}

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