Govt's decision to implement load reduction once again criticised

JOHANNESBURG - The government’s decision to implement load reduction has once again been criticised, with some communities describing it as a new form of economic discrimination.

Load reduction, which is similar to load shedding, is the process of cutting power to densely populated communities to lessen pressure on municipal electricity infrastructure.

Community leaders have been testifying at the National Commission of Inquiry looking into the impact of load reduction in Sandton on Monday.

Yeoville community leader Tshepo Matubatuba has questioned why load reduction is only implemented in underprivileged areas.

“While other communities enjoy their full uninterrupted power supply from the load shedding that was suspended in April, our community suffered without power for two hours every day. Mostly at very inconvenient times when people are home from work or should be preparing to go to work – which is said to be peak hours.”

South African National Civics Organisation leader in Voslorus, Sipho Buthelezi said government needs to address load reduction in the same way it handled load shedding. 
  
"If there is no supply of electricity, adequate housing is affected. A right to education, health a human dignity are affected. Unfortunately, load reduction is infringing those bill of rights because electricity supplements those rights."