Good morning. This year has already been the worst on record for load-shedding with more than half of the calendar day affected by rolling blackouts. The situation is so dire that rolling blackouts may become a permanent fixture in 2023.
The load-shedding outlook for 2023 is extremely bad
Eskom’s outlook for load-shedding in 2023 is bleak with permanent Stage 4 blackouts a very real possibility while the failing power utility isn’t ruling out an escalation to Stage 8 or 10 blackouts. Outgoing chief executive André de Ruyter has warned that the situation is dire while the power utility’s financial outlook for 2023 is also grim. Eskom expects to register a net loss of more than R20 billion next year. Read more here. (The Citizen, for subscribers)
KFC forced to close some stores due to load-shedding
Takeaway food has become a norm when load-shedding strikes at inconvenient hours but getting your favourite fried chicken meal has just become that much harder. KFC said it would have to temporarily close some 70 outlets due to ongoing load-shedding. The fast-food franchise did not give much more details than that but presumably, it is the outlets that cannot afford alternative power supplies during load-shedding. Read more here. (Daily Maverick)
Boksburg explosion death toll rises to 26 while the NPA fails to prosecute tanker driver
The Gauteng government expressed disappointment on Wednesday after the driver whose exploding gas tanker allegedly caused the death of 26 people failed to appear in court after the NPA decided not to charge him criminally. The case could not proceed because it was not placed on the court roll. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi asked that the case be placed on the court roll with haste. He gave the NPA and police until Friday to enrol the case. Read more here. (News24)
Here’s what else you need to know:
Katlego Maphai, CEO of Yoco Technologies, revolutionised the payment landscape – Daily Maverick
Safair CEO Elmar Conradie, a charismatic leader committed to transparency in the workplace – Daily Maverick
WATCH: ‘Racists leave!’ – Alleged Maselspoort attacker’s business walls defaced by Azapo – The Citizen
Boksburg blast: E-hailing drivers whose cars were blown up want compensation – EWN
Premier Lesufi to consider commission of inquiry into Boksburg explosion if investigation stalls – Times LIVE
US to Require Negative Covid Tests for Travelers From China – Bloomberg
Twitter outage: Elon Musk says ‘works for me’ as users report problems with website – The Guardian
