Eskom has confirmed a planned 10‑hour electricity interruption in parts of Daveyton on Wednesday, 26 August to allow technicians to carry out essential maintenance on distribution power lines.
Who will be affected and when
The utility says the outage will run from 08:00 to 18:00 and will affect customers in the Hlakwana, Kwena and Mabuya neighbourhoods, as well as shops at Sqaureni and Daveyton Mall. The work forms part of Eskom’s broader maintenance programme across the Gauteng cluster to upgrade ageing infrastructure.
| Area | Planned outage time |
|---|---|
| Hlakwana | 08:00–18:00, 26 August |
| Kwena | 08:00–18:00, 26 August |
| Mabuya | 08:00–18:00, 26 August |
| Sqaureni shops & Daveyton Mall | 08:00–18:00, 26 August |
Why the interruption is happening
Eskom described the work as preventative maintenance intended to bolster the reliability of the distribution network and reduce the risk of unplanned outages in future. While the interruption will inconvenience households and traders in the short term, the utility says such interventions are necessary to maintain the network.
The company apologised in advance for the disruption and thanked residents for their co‑operation. Eskom also cautioned that the maintenance schedule could be affected by circumstances beyond its control: the outage may be delayed, brought forward or cancelled if conditions change.
Important safety and planning advice
Residents and businesses in the affected areas are urged to prepare for the outage window. Eskom specifically warned that electrical appliances and wiring should be treated as live at all times during the interruption, since supply could be restored without notice before the announced end time.
- Switch off and unplug non‑essential appliances before the outage to avoid damage from unexpected power restoration.
- Keep a charged phone or power bank for emergencies; consider cash on hand for traders if card machines lose connectivity.
- Protect perishable stock in shops and food outlets with coolers or move items to refrigerated storage where possible.
- Plan medical‑equipment needs that rely on electricity; contact local clinics if you require assistance.
How to stay updated and report problems
Eskom set out several channels customers can use to get updates or report supply issues:
- MyEskom Customer app (self‑help)
- WhatsApp: 08600 37566
- USSD: *120*37566#
- Alfred chatbot via Eskom’s website
- Customer portal for billing queries (weekdays, 08:00–16:00)
- Contact centre (24 hours): 08600 37566
These channels are the quickest way to confirm whether the outage is proceeding as planned or to report an unplanned restoration or persistent fault.
Local impact and context
Daveyton residents and traders have experienced repeated unplanned outages in recent years as ageing distribution infrastructure has struggled under rising demand and limited maintenance. Eskom’s statement frames the planned downtime as part of a longer‑term effort to reduce such interruptions, but short‑term pain is unavoidable.
For traders at Daveyton Mall and nearby shops, a full working day without reliable power can translate into lost revenue. For households, the outage heightens pressure on water pumping and refrigeration, and can complicate travel plans if robots (traffic lights) in nearby corridors are affected unpredictably.
Local commuters and shoppers should check with traders and service providers before making plans on 26 August, and community leaders are advised to remind vulnerable residents about the outage and where to go for help if medical equipment or other critical services are affected.
Keep mobile numbers for family and neighbours at hand, and use Eskom’s official channels rather than social messaging to verify status updates. Small, practical steps now can reduce harm and frustration on the day of the interruption.
Contact details and quick reference
- Eskom contact centre (24h): 08600 37566
- WhatsApp: 08600 37566
- USSD: *120*37566#
- MyEskom Customer app and Alfred chatbot via Eskom website
Residents who need further clarity can continue to monitor Eskom announcements and local community notices. Advance planning remains the best defence against disruption when maintenance work is necessary.
