Gauteng Brace for Chaos : As Gauteng prepares for scheduled service interruptions, residents are being urged to brace for significant water and electricity outages between May 1st and May 3rd. With disruptions set to affect thousands, this article provides a complete survival guide on how to manage, prepare, and respond.
Read on for crucial updates, emergency contacts, and expert tips on getting through the outages safely and efficiently.
Why Are the Outages Happening?
The City of Johannesburg and Eskom have jointly confirmed that infrastructure upgrades and urgent maintenance work will necessitate planned power and water outages across several zones in Gauteng. This coordinated project is aimed at long-term service improvements but will cause short-term disruptions.
Key reasons behind the shutdowns include:
- Routine maintenance of electrical substations
- Upgrades to aging water pipelines
- Safety testing and compliance checks
- Load management and pressure balancing
Affected residents have received advance notices, but many remain uncertain about how to manage during this critical time.
Areas Affected and Outage Timings
The outages will roll out in a phased manner, targeting specific municipalities across the province. Use the table below to check if your area is affected:
| Area | Municipality | Type of Outage | Start Time | End Time | Backup Supply | Severity Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandton | City of Johannesburg | Electricity | May 1, 06:00 | May 1, 18:00 | No | High |
| Soweto | City of Johannesburg | Water | May 2, 08:00 | May 2, 20:00 | Yes | Medium |
| Pretoria CBD | City of Tshwane | Electricity | May 3, 07:00 | May 3, 19:00 | No | High |
| Centurion | City of Tshwane | Water | May 1, 10:00 | May 2, 06:00 | Limited | High |
| Roodepoort | City of Johannesburg | Both | May 2, 05:00 | May 3, 00:00 | No | Critical |
| Germiston | Ekurhuleni | Electricity | May 1, 12:00 | May 1, 22:00 | Yes | Medium |
| Benoni | Ekurhuleni | Water | May 3, 04:00 | May 3, 16:00 | No | Medium |
Check with your local ward councillor or visit the official municipal websites for live updates.
How to Prepare for the Water Outages
Managing a water outage, especially for extended periods, requires foresight. Here’s what residents should do in advance:
- Store at least 5–10 liters of drinking water per person per day
- Fill bathtubs and buckets with water for non-potable use
- Keep bottled water and water purification tablets in stock
- Postpone laundry and high-water-usage tasks
- Keep water tanks filled if you have one
- Close taps to avoid flooding when supply returns
For communities with no backup water supply, the municipality has promised mobile water tankers in critical zones. These will be deployed at designated collection points.
Electricity Outage: Do’s and Don’ts
Power cuts can affect everything from cooking to communication. Here’s how to stay prepared and safe:
- Charge all mobile devices and power banks in advance
- Unplug appliances to avoid power surge damage
- Use solar-powered lights or battery-operated lanterns
- Avoid using candles due to fire risk
- Ensure gate motors and alarms have backup batteries
- Keep refrigerators closed to maintain temperature
- Switch off geysers and stoves before the outage
Keep an eye on Eskom’s official page or the Loadshedding App for timing accuracy and real-time alerts.
Essential Supplies Checklist for 72 Hours
Prepare a basic home survival kit that covers food, hygiene, safety, and communications. Here’s a simple checklist:
- Drinking water (3-day supply)
- Non-perishable foods
- Torchlights and batteries
- Power banks or backup chargers
- Gas stove or braai setup
- Wet wipes, hand sanitizers
- First-aid kit
- Candles and matches (use with caution)
- Important documents in waterproof folder
Emergency Contacts and Help Desks
When in doubt, call or email the responsible authorities. Here are the most crucial contacts during this period:
| Department | Contact Number | Service Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Power (Joburg) | 0860 562 874 | [email protected] | Electricity issues |
| Rand Water | 011 682 0911 | [email protected] | Water disruptions |
| City of Tshwane | 012 358 9999 | [email protected] | Both water & power |
| Ekurhuleni Call Centre | 0860 543 000 | [email protected] | All municipal issues |
| Gauteng Emergency Line | 112 (Mobile) | N/A | Ambulance, Fire |
| Eskom National Line | 0860 037 566 | [email protected] | Loadshedding info |
Write these numbers down on paper in case mobile networks are affected.
FAQs About the Outages
Q: Will schools and hospitals be affected?
A: Hospitals and key public institutions will remain operational with backup generators. Some schools may shift to remote learning temporarily.
Q: Can I claim for damages caused by the outage?
A: Yes, affected residents can submit claims to their local municipality or Eskom. Proof of damage is required.
Q: Will mobile networks be impacted?
A: Prolonged outages might disrupt cell towers, leading to spotty service in some areas. Keep alternative communication methods handy.
Q: What happens if the outages are extended?
A: Authorities have committed to notifying residents 24 hours in advance of any extensions or changes to the schedule.
Q: How do I know if my area will receive a water tanker?
A: A schedule will be posted on your municipal website, or you can call the local call center for real-time locations.
How to Stay Updated
Stay connected with credible sources to avoid misinformation. Recommended platforms include:
- Municipal social media pages
- Local community WhatsApp groups
- www.eskom.co.za
- www.joburg.org.za
- Local radio stations (e.g., 702, Power FM)
While no one looks forward to days without power or water, preparedness makes all the difference. Use this time to check your home systems, stock up sensibly, and stay in touch with your community. Remember, these disruptions are temporary, and better infrastructure is the long-term goal.
For payments, service updates, and reporting outages, always use official platforms. Bookmark your city’s help portal, and don’t hesitate to share this guide with neighbors.
Stay safe, stay prepared, Gauteng.
