Category: South Africa Government

Eskom’s Kusile Power Station Unit 6 has entered commercial operation – officially adding some 800MW to the national grid and strengthening South Africa’s energy security.

The power utility announced the milestone on Monday and it marks the completion of the Eskom Build Programme.

Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane said the milestone was a testament to the power utility’s commitment to its turnaround plan.

“Achieving commercial operation of Unit 6 within the planned timeframe is a testament to Eskom’s disciplined execution of the Generation Operational Recovery Plan. This milestone not only completes the Kusile build programme but also reinforces Eskom’s commitment to restoring energy security, enhancing grid stability, and investing in infrastructure that supports South Africa’s long-term economic growth. 

“Since its synchronisation in March, Unit 6 has consistently met performance benchmarks, contributed to grid reliability, and helped meet electricity demand 97% of the time,” Marokane said.

At the Medupi Power Station, which was also part of Eskom’s Build Programme, Unit 4 of the station was returned to service in July this year.

“Medupi and Kusile will remain central to South Africa’s electricity supply for many years to come. Both stations are designed for an operational lifespan of approximately 50 years. 

“As we celebrate this milestone, we are also accelerating efforts to expand our renewable energy portfolio to complement our baseload infrastructure. This is part of our broader strategy to repower the grid and reduce overall emissions,” Marokane added.

Eskom explained that commercial operation indicates that Unit 6 has “passed all required testing and optimisation phases” and is now fully integrated into the power utility’s operational fleet. 

“Although the unit has been supplying electricity to the grid since its synchronisation on 23 March 2025, its contribution had not been reflected in official reporting until now. From this point onward, Unit 6’s output will be included in the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) calculations, contributing to Eskom’s overall performance metrics.

“This achievement also marks a key milestone in Eskom’s strategic goal to add 2500MW of new capacity to the grid by March 2025 and represents a major step in completing one of the largest infrastructure projects in South Africa’s history,” Eskom said. – SAnews.gov.za

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa have extended their condolences to the families of the 12 people who lost their lives in a major road crash in Limpopo.

A multiple vehicle crash occurred on Sunday on the R81 at Ga-Sekgopo, involving two articulated trucks and a Toyota Quantum Minibus.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that one male driver, 10 female passengers and one child between the ages of 7 and 10 years perished in the accident.

“Minister Creecy and Deputy Minister Hlengwa have reiterated their call to motorists for heightened vigilance on the roads and to be responsible for their own safety and the safety of other road users,” the department said in a statement on Monday.

The department said the cause of the crash was not yet known and will be the subject of an investigation.

“Deputy Minister Hlengwa has directed the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to dispatch a team of crash reconstruction and investigations to determine the cause of the crash and provide a report in this regard,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has established an inquiry into the fitness of Advocate Andrew Chauke to continue serving as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The Presidency announced in a statement on Monday that the inquiry was set up in terms of section 12(6)(a) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Act of 1998.

Pending the outcome of the inquiry, President Ramaphosa has suspended Adv Chauke with effect from 20 July 2025, on full pay.

“The inquiry will look into certain serious allegations regarding Adv Chauke’s fitness and propriety to hold office as a Director of Public Prosecutions and as a member of the National Prosecuting Authority. Adv Chauke was appointed Director of Public Prosecutions on 1 September 2011,” the Presidency said. 

The President has appointed retired Justice Baaitse Elizabeth (Bess) Nkabine as Chairperson of the inquiry, with Adv Elizabeth Baloyi-Mere SC and attorney Thenjiwe Vilakazi as additional members.

According to the Presidency, the process will be guided by the Constitution, the NPA Act, and the principles of natural justice to ensure that the inquiry is conducted fairly and impartially.

In consultation with the Minister of Justice, the inquiry Chairperson will determine the seat of the inquiry as well as the rules of procedure.

At the conclusion of the process, Justice Nkabine will submit a report with findings and recommendations to the President. – SAnews.gov.za 

Eskom says the current improvement in unplanned outages at generating units is a sign of the generation fleet’s increasing reliability.

The power utility has registered an Energy Availability Factor (EAF) month-to-date average hitting above 70% for the first time since 2021.

Unplanned outages are also on the wane.

“Between 19 and 25 September 2025, Eskom recorded an average of 9 514MW in unplanned outages, a significant improvement compared to 12 660MW during the same period last year. This represents a year-on-year reduction of 3 146MW in breakdowns – nearly equivalent to the entire output capacity of Duvha Power Station.

“This upward trend demonstrates increasing stability and improved reliability across Eskom’s generation fleet. These figures do not include Kusile Unit 6, which has been contributing to the national grid since 23 March 2025. While the unit is not yet in commercial operation, it is expected to reach this milestone by 30 September 2025,” Eskom said.

The power utility’s improvements have resulted in electricity demand being met for at 97% of the time during the current financial year with only 26 hours of load shedding recorded since April 1.

Other key performance areas at Eskom include:

• Between 1 April and 25 September 2025, the Unplanned Capability Loss Factor (UCLF), which reflects the percentage of generation capacity lost due to unplanned outages, further decreased to 25.84%. This represents a week-on-week improvement of approximately 0.2%, although it remains about 0.3% higher than the 25.52% recorded during the same period last year.
• Year-to-date, planned maintenance has averaged 5 233MW, accounting for 11.16% of total generation capacity. This reflects a slight decrease from the previous week and a 0.4% rise compared to the same period last year.
• The year-to-date EAF further increased to 62.50%, excluding the contribution from Kusile Unit 6. This figure is below the 63.25% recorded during the same period last year.
• From 1 April to 25 September 2025, Eskom generated 1 004.68GWh from OCGT plants while spending R5.953 billion on diesel – above last year’s 850.52GWh. Last week, diesel spending was just R15.03 million at a load factor of 0.41%, highlighting the impact of improvements in efficiency and reduced reliance on diesel.
• The year-to-date load factor for OCGTs has decreased to 6.89%, reflecting a 0.27% decrease compared to the previous week. This figure remains higher than the 5.83% recorded during the same period last year.

“To further strengthen grid stability, Eskom is planning to return a total of 2 500MW of generation capacity to service ahead of the evening peak [today] and throughout the coming week,” Eskom said.

The electricity supplier acknowledged that although the grid is now more stable, load reduction remains “necessary in certain high-risk areas”.

Average reductions have ranged between 529MW and 5 44MW from April and June this year.

“The primary causes are illegal connections and meter tampering – forms of electricity theft that compromise the integrity of the network and can lead to equipment damage, transformer overloads, and, in severe cases, explosions and prolonged outages. To safeguard the network and protect public safety, Eskom may implement load reduction by switching off power in these areas during peak periods.

“Eskom, however, is committed to eliminating load reduction within the next 12 to 18 months. This goal will be achieved by addressing 640 000 illegal connections, upgrading infrastructure – including the installation of smart meters – curbing illegal electricity vending, and expanding access to free basic electricity in priority areas.

“Customers are urged to avoid illegal connections, purchase electricity only from Eskom-accredited vendors, and regularise their accounts. These measures are essential to preventing load reduction and ensuring safe, reliable, and equitable electricity access for all,” Eskom explained.

To report any illegal activity, contact Eskom’s Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp on 081 333 3323. – SAnews.gov.za

Taxpayers, who are due to make payments to the South African Revenue Service (SARS), are urged to do so at their earliest convenience to avoid unnecessary delays, penalties and interests for late payment.

“All taxpayers, who will be making payments to SARS through various platforms such as eFiling, EFT and payments at banks, can be confident that these payment platforms are robust, secure and safe. 

“These digital platforms conform to internationally recognised standards, and they are user friendly, enabling taxpayers to transact with SARS and comply with their legal obligations,” SARS said in a statement.

Furthermore, taxpayers are warned to remain “extremely vigilant and keep their personal details confidential” when using online platforms.

“Your credentials on all financial platforms are continuously at risk. There have been many attempts by scammers to defraud taxpayers. Taxpayers are reminded that SARS will never ask them to use any link to engage with it. All eFiling users must protect their login details and use only registered tax practitioners.

“The month of September represents the halfway mark to the financial year, and SARS wishes to thank all taxpayers who diligently contribute to the fiscus through their tax payments,” SARS said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Madlanga Commission continues hearings this week, with South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Intelligence head, Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, expected to give testimony this morning.

Officially known as the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, the Commission’s hearings are being held at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Tshwane.

Khumalo’s testimony follows that of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, which was followed by that of SAPS National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.

Other witnesses to have given testimony are KZN Director of Public Prosecutions at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Elaine Harrison and SAPS Head of Governance, Legislation and Policy at the Legal Services Division, Major General Petronella van Rooyen.

The Commission’s establishment was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this year, following serious allegations made by Mkhwanazi about an alleged criminal syndicate that has spread influence into law enforcement, the NPA and intelligence services. – SAnews.gov.za