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The Democratic Alliance (DA) expresses deep concern and sympathy for the millions of South Africans who will be plunged into darkness this evening, as Eskom imposes Stage 2 load-shedding from 4pm, just as winter begins to tighten its grip.

Once again, South Africans are being failed by an energy utility that cannot meet its own targets. Eskom’s Energy Availability Factor (EAF) has remained consistently below 60% throughout 2025, despite repeated promises of improvement. At present, unplanned outages stand at an unacceptable 28% - a clear sign that Eskom’s coal fleet is in crisis.

In just the past week, Eskom has spent over R200 million on diesel in a desperate attempt to cover up its failures and keep the lights on. This is a short-term and costly fix that burdens both the public purse and our environment.

This is not a failure of renewable energy, as some would have us believe. It is a failure of Eskom’s ageing, poorly maintained coal fleet. It is a legacy of neglect and mismanagement that now directly affects the daily lives of citizens.

Families should not have to face the cold and dark because of a broken electricity system. The DA calls for urgent, transparent action to stabilise the grid, accelerate investment in reliable, clean energy, and reduce our dependence on failing coal infrastructure.

South Africans deserve a competitive energy system that is affordable, and can keep the lights, and heat on.

Issued by Kevin Mileham MP - DA Spokesperson on Electricity & Energy