Eskom says no load-shedding is expected during the day on Saturday.
Image: 123RF/loganban
No load-shedding is expected during the day on Saturday, Eskom announced.

However, it warned that there was a limited risk of load-shedding in the evening and on Sunday owing to the system remaining constrained and vulnerable.

“Thanks to some good work overnight from our teams, we have been able to deliver an improvement in the power system. As a consequence of this work we do not expect to implement load-shedding today.

“Our pumped storage schemes have been sufficiently replenished, and we continue to work to improve on the levels of diesel at our open cycle gas turbine generators,” the power utility said in a statement.

But is said that owing to inadequate maintenance over a number of years, the system remained vulnerable to unplanned outages or breakdowns which were at 13,000.

Two KwaZulu-Natal nurses who allegedly turned away a pregnant woman, who was forced to give birth in a minibus taxi, have been suspended.

Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu welcomed the suspension of the nurses from Buxedene Clinic near Nongoma, in the north of the province.

They stand accused of failing to assist the mother, who was brought in by taxi driver Nhlonipho Zulu minutes before going into labour.

The mother subsequently gave birth to a baby boy in the minibus taxi, on the side of the road, with the assistance of the driver who had initially rushed her to the clinic.

The nurses have been accused of not only denying that the young woman was about to go into labour, but of being dismissive and using rude language, and also refusing to call an ambulance.Simelane-Zulu said she hoped the suspension would send a strong message to health care practitioners.

“We welcome the decision by the department’s administration to suspend these nurses. This will enable the investigation to take place without hindrance.

“Without pronouncing on the innocence or guilt of the accused, we hope that this swift and decisive action will send a strong message. We want all health care professionals who are planning to mistreat patients to be clear that they will not get away with it.

“Patients, just like health care workers, have rights which must be protected, respected and upheld at all times. If you misbehave, there will be consequences,” she said.

In a series of tweets in the early morning hours of Friday, finance minister Tito Mboweni warned of dire consequences if South Africa did not push ahead with economic reforms.

“If you cannot effect deep structural economic reforms, then game over! Stay as you are and you are down graded to Junck (sic) Status!! The consequences are dire. Your choice,” Mboweni warned, without specifying who he addressed.

“What are critical Economic Strategic Reforms? Read the National Treasury now Government Document! Let us move Forward! Many Steps at the same Time!!”

In August last year, Treasury released a discussion document – called “Economic transformation, inclusive growth, and competitiveness: towards an economic strategy for South Africa” – thatmmended big economic reforms  recowhich it believed could create 1 million jobs.

Its proposals included introducing more private competitors to Transnet, that metros should take control of rail, small businesses should be exempted from industry wage agreements, reducing red tape for businesses by 25% over five years and that households and businesses should be able to sell electricity that they produce.

While largely welcomed by business, the policy document and Mboweni faced resistance from within the ANC, as well as from its labour allies, with Cosatu among its most vocal critics. The unions objected to proposed labour market deregulation in particula

A lucky Durban dog lived to see another day after a scrap with a small, but feisty Mozambique spitting cobra.

Professional snake catcher Jason Arnold of Universal Reptiles said he received a call from a distressed homeowner in Clare Estate on Wednesday afternoon, asking for help.

“The family dog ran up to the snake and consequently got a blast of venom in its right eye,” Arnold told News24.

By the time he arrived on the scene, the homeowner had already managed to get the dog away from the snake and flush its eye with lots of water, he explained. The snake had retreated to a crevice in the wall and continued spitting at Arnold as he attempted to rescue it.

“I can feel a little cold shower of liquid landing on my face and arms, that’s from him spitting on me,” Arnold says in a video of the incident.

“Spitting cobras are capable of delivering a dozen or so sprays of venom in a single encounter before they start to run dry,” he told News24.

“But this is replenished quite soon thereafter.”

Despite this he said you only really need glasses to protect your eyes from the venom.

“Venom on the skin usually causes no harm whatsoever unless you are particularly sensitive. If you are, then itching or a bit of burning could occur,” he said.

The dog had a puffy swollen eye, but was expected to make a full recovery.

In a recent Facebook post, the snake catcher said his phone has been ringing non-stop, day and night.

He’s had his hands full with between 15 and 25 calls per day, although realistically he is only able to respond to four or five per day.

In summer months snake activity increases because of the heat. That’s also when the reptiles’ eggs hatch.

A man is in custody after allegedly stabbing his 16-month-old daughter to death during a domestic dispute near Swellendam, Western Cape police said on Friday.

The girl was murdered on the Bloemhof farm in Buffelsjagrivier around 15:30 on Thursday, according to Captain Malcolm Pojie.

“Whilst fighting with his partner over work on a farm in a neighbouring town (Witsand), the suspect grabbed hold of the child, took her outside the dwelling, where he fatally stabbed the child,” he said.

The girl, identified as Alime Mbasha, was cut and stabbed in the neck and chest. She died at the scene.

Pojie said the child’s 24-year-old mother had sustained minor injuries during the attack.The little girl’s father, 33, was arrested and detained at Swellendam police station.

He is expected to appear on charges of murder in the Swellendam Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Yolisa Matakata said she was appalled to hear about the child’s murder, and said justice must prevail.