Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan held a briefing on Eskom in Johannesburg on Tuesday where he outlined the extent of the crisis facing the power utility which has resulted in rotational load shedding.
Also on Tuesday, officials told Fin24 that government and Eskom was planning to introduce Stage 5 and Stage 6 load shedding.
Eskom has since taken to Twitter to explain its position on load shedding Stages 5 - 8, saying these are purely there as a "contingency measure".
The Twitterati, however, was quick on the draw:
When I saw stage 5 and stage 6 trending I thought it was tweeps joking ???????? pic.twitter.com/42ZADZE4fi
— Prince, Michael and Janet slander must fall! (@PhaksiM) March 19, 2019
How I wish this Loadshadding guy to pull off the "Stage 5 and Stage 6" plug on the 7th of May, so we can make the right decision the next day. pic.twitter.com/pNpDeoLkF3
— Pardo S?? (@Qwin_Phee) March 19, 2019
Eskom: *implements stage 5 and Stage 6*
— big head (@SlooPhaho) March 19, 2019
Us: What the hell is stage 5 and Stage 6?
Eskom: pic.twitter.com/YP9RCqthx9
No One:
— Nwa-Mfezi (@Nwa_Hlayiseka) March 19, 2019
Eskom : implements stage 5 and Stage 6
Us: What the hell is stage 5 and Stage 6
Eskom: pic.twitter.com/2cy6njle80
Stage 5 and stage 6 welcome back to the stone ages South Africans pic.twitter.com/okIJW64Vhf
— VaalRise (016)???? (@MacDinobravo) March 19, 2019
When you finally figure out the Stage 4 loadshedding schedule and then Eskom go and announce Stage 5 and Stage 6. pic.twitter.com/msvClm6s5G
— Cool, cool, cool (@Burgerboxx) March 19, 2019
Eskom: Stage 5 and Stage 6
— nalediwithbeard (@nalediwithbeard) March 19, 2019
People who bought electricity: pic.twitter.com/XlQTolTSk3
Stage 5 and Stage 6
— Makua Bt (@Makua_BT) March 19, 2019
God: Let there be light....
Eskom: Liiiiiiiiight? pic.twitter.com/7Qq9FHAUrP
Stage 5 and stage 6 Can someone address how vulnerable and unsafe I feel during these blackouts pic.twitter.com/eamlA5DHRS
— Sis'omdala (@LoloGamede) March 19, 2019
After stage 5 and stage 6
— Yesu Nyana Ka Thixo (@uYesuKrestu) March 19, 2019
Y'all will see stage 7 live
Ningafuni uza ezulwini ke pic.twitter.com/ydnDeehwQe
"Stage 5 and Stage 6"
— Deelee Mogale (@Deeleenquent) March 19, 2019
Church: This little light of mine, i'm goin to let it......
Eskom: pic.twitter.com/xQBFQS0i9X