Dennilton community calls for end to Eskom’s load reduction

DENNILTON – Residents of Dennilton in Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality (EMLM) are growing increasingly frustrated with Eskom’s ongoing load reduction, which has been implemented in the area from 19h00 to 21h00.

Residents claim the power cuts have significantly impact their daily lives, businesses, and hinder community services, leading to widespread concern about the effects on local economic activities, safety, and overall quality of life.

The say the current load reduction has hard hit households, businesses, and essential services like healthcare and education.

Small businesses and informal traders are also badly affected and are losing income due to power outages, while increased crime and safety risks during evening hours without electricity have become a major concern to residents.

The affected communities say they also feel that Eskom has not adequately communicated or consulted with them about load reduction schedules and impacts.

Mpho Matea, a local resident who is also affected by the power cuts, expressed her frustration.

“We can’t cook, we can’t study, and our businesses are suffering. It is like we are living in darkness, and Eskom doesn’t care about us,” she said.

Jabulani Mahlangu, another resident, added: “The power cuts are affecting our safety. We are scared to go out at night, and there is no light for our children to do their homework. We need a solution, and we need it now,” he said.

A community meeting will be convened with Eskom management at the Eskom Technical Services Office in Elandsdoorn on 18 February 2026.

Residents say they will demand Eskom management to immediately end the ongoing load reduction.

“We want Eskom to listen to us and stop this load reduction. It is affecting our lives, our businesses, and our safety. We need better communication and a solution that works for our community,” Mahlangu continued.

He indicated that part of their demands to Eskom include immediate cessation of load reduction in the area, improved communication from Eskom regarding power management and schedules, and engagement with community leaders to find sustainable solutions to power supply issues.

“We are looking forward to a successful meeting that will result in Eskom addressing community concerns and finding ways to mitigate load reduction impacts. Eskom should engage with community leaders and residents to explain load reduction reasons and explore alternatives. Local government and municipal officials should also assist in facilitating dialogues between Eskom and the community,” Mahlangu said.

He added that consideration of community specific solutions, such as load reduction exemptions for critical services or times, could also help.

“We just want to live with dignity, with power that works. We hope Eskom will hear us and act,” said Mahlangu.

Matshidiso Phaladi, Eskom Regional Manager in Limpopo, told the publication that Eskom implements load reduction to protect network equipment from failing or collapsing, as a result of overloading caused by criminal activities such as electricity theft through illegal connections, meter tampering and buying from illegal vendors.

She added that the power utility records a substantially high trend of energy demand during peak periods, which, when combined with unauthorised consumption, places “undue strain on transformers and lines.”

To address the problem, Phaladi indicated that Eskom is currently rolling-out smart‑meter projects in such areas with the intention to curb the scourge of overloading and, ultimately, eliminate load reduction.