For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Khutso Maphatsoe.

Making headlines: Eskom moves to Stage 4 load-shedding; UAE ratifies extradition treaty as South Africa pursues Guptas; And, IEC says 2021 Municipal elections should proceed

Eskom moves to Stage 4 load-shedding

Eskom has announced that load-shedding will move to Stage 4 from 2pm until 10pm today, after which it will revert to Stage 2.

Eskom says this is due to additional breakdowns of a unit at Medupi and two units at the Duvha power station, high winter demand, and to ration the remaining emergency generation reserves, which have been depleted.

Breakdowns currently total 15 087 MW of capacity, while planned maintenance is 1 273 MW of capacity.

UAE ratifies extradition treaty as South Africa pursues Guptas

The United Arab Emirates Embassy in South Africa said it has ratified an extradition treaty with the African country.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson Clayson Monyela confirmed that the treaty was signed on April 11.

South Africa has been pursuing members of the Gupta family who moved to Dubai amid allegations that they had stolen billions of rand from state companies. Some of their assets in South Africa have been seized and members of the family face charges.

And, IEC says 2021 Municipal elections should proceed

The Electoral Commission of South Africa has announced its readiness to deliver the 2021 Municipal Elections during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The elections will be held on October 27, with a national voter registration weekend on July 17 and 18.

South Africa is facing a third wave of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.

The Commission says a readiness assessment was conducted in consultation with health and disaster management authorities.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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