Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has directed the management and board of power utility Eskom to work hard to get the country out of Stage 6 loadshedding with immediate effect.

“I met the board of Eskom yesterday. I have directed them to meet and act with a great sense of urgency to ensure that the management of Eskom gets the country out of Stage 6 loadshedding with immediate effect.

"Power cuts are having a devastating effect on households and livelihoods, investment and economic climate. This is totally unacceptable. The frequency of breakdowns is certainly attributable to some element of malfunctioning within the Eskom systems and possibly sabotage as well.

“We have had to call on law enforcement agencies to show a stronger presence at all Eskom power stations. Those who are involved in nefarious activities, beware. We will not tolerate any activities whose purpose is not in the national interest.

"We apologise to the country about the impact and disruptions caused by load shedding and will keep the nation informed about the status of electricity,” he notes in a statement issued on December 8.