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Five provinces removed from load reduction schedule

GCIS / SAnewsRef: GOVNEWS-82739 at https://www.sanews.gov.za

Official source

Source domain: sanews.gov.za

Collected on 9 July 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

Our copy (archived 26 July 2026)Official source

What this means

The document is a SAnews news article dated 9 July 2026 reporting that at least five of South Africa’s nine provinces have been removed from load reduction schedules. It says Eskom’s nationwide Load Reduction Eradication Programme launched in September 2025 has removed about 1.1 million South Africans (about 65% of the programme’s target), with Mpumalanga added to provinces already load reduction-free: Western Cape, Northern Cape, Free State and North West. Eskom targets national eradication by March 2027 and calls for customers and community stakeholders to report illegal connections, electricity theft, meter tampering, and damaged/unsafe infrastructure via its Crime Line and WhatsApp.

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

community awareness opportunityOngoing

Promote safe and legal use of electricity within communities

Community members are encouraged to promote the safe and legal use of electricity within their communities.

Who it is for: community members
How to act on it: Promote the safe and legal use of electricity within communities.

Show the line this came from

Promote the safe and legal use of electricity within communities.

community support opportunityOngoing

Support smart meter installations and provide safe access to authorised Eskom technical teams

Community members are encouraged to support smart meter installations and provide safe access to authorised Eskom technical teams.

Who it is for: community members
How to act on it: Support smart meter installations and provide safe access to authorised Eskom technical teams.

Show the line this came from

Support smart meter installations and providing safe access to authorised Eskom technical teams.

reporting opportunityOngoing

Report illegal connections, electricity theft and meter tampering to Eskom Crime Line or WhatsApp

Community members are encouraged to report illegal connections, electricity theft and meter tampering to Eskom using the Eskom Crime Line or WhatsApp.

Who it is for: customers and community stakeholders
How to act on it: Report to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323.

Show the line this came from

Customers are encouraged to report illegal connections and infrastructure damage to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323.

Facts

Places

Mpumalanga, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, North West

Reference

GOVNEWS-82739 at https://www.sanews.gov.za

Key Takeaways

Date: Thursday, 9 July 2026
Programme: Eskom nationwide Load Reduction Eradication Programme
Launch: September 2025
Removed from load reduction: ~1.1 million South Africans
Progress: ~65% of eradication target
Provinces load reduction-free: Mpumalanga, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, North West
National eradication target: March 2027
Focus areas needing sustained investment: Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal
Load reduction purpose: protect infrastructure from overloading/destruction (including illegal connections)
Eskom Crime Line: 0800 112 722
WhatsApp reporting: 081 333 3323
Eskom
Junaid Munshi
SAnews
Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
Mpumalanga
Western Cape
Northern Cape
Free State
North West
Gauteng
KwaZulu-Natal

Dates

Opening Date

9 July 2026

Closing Date

9 July 2026