Eskom lost as much seven generation units overnight, which has increased the likelihood of load shedding this weekend, the power utility said in an update issued on Saturday.

The power utility did not expect to implement load shedding this weekend, and it has not since February 22. On Friday it said unplanned breakdowns remained just under 11 000 MW, with planned maintenance at 5 240 MW.

But the power utility suffered multiple generation unit trips overnight. “We lost seven generation units at four power stations – Duvha, Tutuka, Kriel and Grootvlei; due to various technical faults. The root causes of these incidents are being investigated and corrective measures to be implemented,” Eskom said.

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The loss of units has added strain on Eskom’s reserve capacity.

“In order to rebuild our emergency reserves for the coming week, there is therefore an increased probability of implementing loadshedding tonight.

“Eskom is currently utilising expensive emergency generation reserves to supplement supply, which is unsustainable. The system remains constrained, vulnerable and unpredictable,” Eskom said.

Unplanned breakdowns or outages were at 11 868MW on Saturday morning and planned maintenance outages were at 5 430MW.

Eskom asked consumers to use electricity sparingly and suggested keeping morning showers short, take food out of the freezer to thaw rather than using the microwave, and switch off geysers during peak periods.

A Mpumalanga man has been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment after he was found guilty of setting a building – which housed police detectives – on fire in 2017.

Thomas Masina, 32, was found to have intentionally set the building ablaze in Dullstroom.

He was sentenced to an effective 10 years’ imprisonment for arson in the Belfast Regional Court on Thursday.

The incident took place at 04:30 as Masina seemingly believed he would not be caught because everyone would be asleep.He was trying to destroy evidence linking him to a case of housebreaking and theft of a motor vehicle. He will appear in the Belfast Regional Court on Thursday to face these charges.

Following the fire, set on 11 May 2017, a case of arson was opened at Dullstroom police station.

“The suspect in this case was unknown at the time, however, detectives worked hard to crack the case and eventually a breakthrough was made when Masina was apprehended and charged,” said provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Leonard Hlathi.

The trial of the man believed to be behind the murder of University of Johannesburg (UJ) student, Palesa Madiba, will commence in April, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed on Thursday.

“The murder trial of Palesa Madiba has been set down for hearing on 15 April 2020 at the High Court sitting in Palm Ridge,” said NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.

The accused, Dumisani Mkhwanazi, 36, faces two charges: murder and defeating the ends of justice.Madiba went missing following a sleepover at her friend Tshidi Mkhwanazi’s home in Phiri, Soweto, on 9 August 2013. Tshidi is the accused’s niece.

When she did not return home, Tshidi was questioned by Madiba’s relatives regarding her whereabouts. She said she had last seen her best friend on 12 August 2013 when she left her Phiri home that morning, according to a News24 report.The former UJ student’s body was later found on 16 December 2015 in a shallow grave behind Tshidi’s home after a neighbour noticed an arm protruding from the ground.

Prior to the upcoming trial, the accused was questioned and released. He also obtained a restraining order against Madiba’s relatives.

This was followed by his arrest on 29 July 2019.

Five men have been shot and killed in Ezakheni, near Ladysmith, in KwaZulu-Natal, according to police.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said they were alerted to the incident at around 01:30 on Thursday in B-section.

“On arrival at the scene, police officers found the bodies of five adult males who were shot dead at a house. The sixth victim sustained a gunshot wound to the stomach and was taken to a local hospital for medical attention.”

Naicker said the victims, who were not related, were aged 25 to 35.The motive [for] the attack is unknown at this stage. Several 9mm spent cartridges have been found at the scene. Forensic experts from the SAPS are still combing the scene.”

He said police were investigating cases of murder and an attempted murder.

“Detectives are at the scene and are interviewing members of the community. There is some positive information that is coming through and we will ensure that all resources will be made available to bring the perpetrators to book,” Naicker said.

An elderly couple, in their 80s, was wounded after being attacked in an alleged home invasion in Hilton on Wednesday.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said the couple was allegedly attacked by four unknown males in their home on St Michaels Road in Hilton.

“[The] victims were allegedly assaulted and their valuables loaded into their vehicles. Two vehicles and other valuables were taken,” said Gwala. the man sustained moderate injuries while the woman sustained minor injuries. They were treated on the scene and transported to hospital for further medical care.

A case of house robbery was opened at the Hilton Police Station for investigation.