#JeSuisScrewed: Eskom's promise of load-shedding now, high electricity tariffs later

From Monday until at least the end of April, nationwide load-shedding is likely on a "planned, controlled and rotational" basis. If an "abnormal event" happens, perhaps an unseasonal cold spell or another silo falling down, load-shedding might not be as "planned" and "controlled". Eskom chief executive Tshediso Matona said at a briefing on Thursday that in order to catch up with a severe maintenance backlog, load-shedding will now be part of our lives. It is not yet clear how Eskom is going to get out of its financial conundrum, but Matona says the lack of "cost-reflective tariffs" is part of the problem. So the prospect of paying more for electricity while periodically sitting in the dark is now a real possibility. By RANJENI MUNUSAMY.