Despite a constrained and vulnerable power system, no loadshedding is expected on Monday and the probability of further power cuts remains low for the rest of the week, says Eskom.

Eskom said in a statement that the system’s improvement was largely as a result of several units being returned to service from planned and unplanned maintenance, and achieving a healthy water level at its pumped storage schemes to prepare for the week ahead.

“Eskom continues to replenish diesel reserves for the open cycle gas turbines which enable us to avoid and/or minimise loadshedding. Repairs are progressing well on the conveyor belt at Medupi power station, which should reach full capacity by the end of the week.

“We remind customers that despite this progress, the power system is constrained and while every effort is made to avoid loadshedding, it could be implemented at short notice should there be a significant shift in plant performance and increased unplanned technical breakdowns.

 “Customers are encouraged to continue to use electricity sparingly. Please switch off geysers as well as all non-essential lighting and electricity appliances to assist in reducing demand.  As we are experiencing a heat wave in some parts of the country, we ask that you use your air conditioners efficiently at 23ºC.”

On Sunday morning, Eskom cautioned that “the power system is constrained and while we are making every effort to avoid loadshedding, it could be implemented at short notice should there be a significant shift in plant performance and increased unplanned technical breakdowns”.

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It explained that additional generating units are expected to return to service on Sunday and repairs are progressing well on the conveyor belt at Medupi power station. In addition, Eskom has had an opportunity to replenish diesel reserves for the open cycle gas turbines and to increase water levels at its pumped storage schemes in preparation for the week ahead.

These reserves enable Eskom to avoid or minimise the extent of loadshedding.

Eskom said at the time that it would be in a better position to provide a prognosis for Monday and the coming week, after reviewing the performance of the electricity system on Sunday evening.

“We will continue to keep South Africans informed about the status of the electricity system and our recovery efforts,” Eskom said.

Earlier in the week the utility blamed the current wave of power cuts, which began on Wednesday, on boiler leaks and the breakdown of a conveyor belt transporting coal to Medupi power station. Eskom also said delays in returning units that were on planned maintenance to service contributed to supply constraints, as did diesel shortages.

Siphesihle Lambatha is less than three months old but has already proven herself to be a little fighter.

After spending 83 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Melomed Hospital in Gatesville, Athlone, the infant who weighed only 410g at birth this week finally got to go home.

The tiny patient’s paediatrician, Dr Shukri Raban, said Siphesihle was one of the 10 smallest babies born in South Africa.

“410g, put into context, is not much bigger than a tub of margarine,” he said. “Lengthwise, she was not much taller than a half a ruler – less than 15cm.”

On the day she was discharged, her proud mother Yandisa Ngele Lambatha took home a 1.84kg baby girl.

Yandisa had gone into labour at 26 weeks – about six months into her pregnancy – and was at the hospital every day since Siphesihle’s birth on 26 July.

“I am happy to be going home with her. The first time I saw her from the theatre, I thought this one was not going to be alive,” she recalled in a recorded interview with the hospital.

Her older daughter was also tiny at birth, weighing only 500g. Before her daughters’ births, she had had three miscarriages.

“I didn’t think that [Siphesihle] would make it. But now I am happy – she is here.”

Dad Ntandazo Lambatha said he had prayed for his beautiful daughter every day, thanking the doctors, staff and family for their support.

Raban praised the mom of two, saying Siphesihle’s discharge is “more a celebration of [Yandisa’s] feat – not just once, but twice”.

“To do this twice over is an arduous task and she fulfilled it with absolute aplomb,” he said.

Raban was hopeful that Siphesihle would develop well, just like her big sister Sindie.

“We are very chuffed, not so much at the role that we played, but the honour we had in seeing how she developed, and how she has progressed to the point where she is now.”

Upon being discharged on Thursday, Siphesihle received a “certificate of bravery” from the hospital, handed to her at a mini-graduation ceremony with her parents.

– Compiled by Tammy Petersen

The Gauteng education department has instituted an inquiry following claims that black employees at an Ekurhuleni school were forced to eat in a converted toilet. 

Department spokesperson Steve Mabona told News24 that the inquiry could lead to disciplinary action against implicated officials. 

The Star reported that about nine employees at Brackenhurst Primary school in Alberton shared a prefabricated toilet and used it as an eating room and change room.

The publication spoke to an official at the school who said five women shared the room with four men.

The official told the publication that the “inhumane” treatment was because they were “black”, while their white colleague had access to the administrative block. 

It is alleged that the employees have been using the quarters for several years and that it was against the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act 85 of 1993. 

Section 8 of the act states that the employer is obliged to provide and maintain a workplace that is safe and without risk to the health of their employees. 

“We have since identified and allocated a suitable room to be utilised by the employees,” Mabona said.

Mabona said the department implored schools to familiarise themselves with OHS policies and to adhere to fair labour practices at all times.

17 October, 09:09 AM

Convicted child rapist Nicholas Ninow’s grandmother, Pauline Gericke, is expected to continue testifying in mitigation of his sentence on Thursday morning.

Taking the stand in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday, Gericke said there were two sides to Ninow.

After a week-long trial in September, Judge Mokhine Mosopa found Ninow guilty of rape, the possession of an illegal substance and defeating the ends of justice.

He was acquitted of the assault of two Dros employees.

READ MORE | Ninow’s gran tells court: ‘He’s not just the Dros rapist … there’s a side I raised to be a good boy’

WARNING: This live stream may contain upsetting testimony. Viewer discretion is advised.

Eastern Cape police have so far recovered 19 mortars from the Strelitzia Dam in Uitenhage.

Fifteen of the projectiles were recovered by the police’s bomb disposal unit on Monday.

The discovery on Monday came after four other bombs were found by local residents in the dam. They were easily visible because of low water levels.

All 19 bombs, which were live, were deactivated by members of the bomb disposal unit.

The police have since warned residents not to pick up any suspicious objects that they find in or near the dam.

READ: Bombs discovered in Eastern Cape dam: Residents warned not to pick up unknown objects close to Strelizia Dam

Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana said they launched an operation on Monday when more live explosives were recovered. 

Kinana added it was up to the local municipality to close the dam to prevent injuries.

“It is up to them to determine if the dam should be closed or not. As the police, we can’t say the dam must be closed off. All we are promising is that we will, from time to time, continue visiting the dam searching for more bombs.”

Kinana said a passer-by found a mortar in the dam two weeks ago and alerted the police. On Friday, two other mortars were found while a third one was discovered on Saturday.

The police earlier said the mortars did not belong to the South African National Defence Force.

Kinana added they were investigating their origin and how they ended up in the dam. 

“We don’t know where they came from and how long they have been in the water for. At the moment, we can’t speculate and our investigations are continuing,” he said.