For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: Eskom warns of Stage 8 loadshedding, Makwana hints at possible legal action against De Ruyter and, Kremlin says African peace delegation will visit Moscow

Eskom warns of Stage 8 loadshedding

Eskom has indicated that Stage 8 loadshedding – representing 16 hours of cuts in a 32-hour cycle – is possible this winter if coal plant breakdowns breach 18 000 MW.

The demand rises in sync with what is forecast to be a colder winter than was the case in 2022 but interim CEO Calib Cassim continues to insist that the risk of a total blackout is low.

Cassim said the increase in loadshedding levels does not mean there is a greater risk of a national blackout, instead loadshedding is one of the processes Eskom use to prevent such an occurrence by managing the demand for electricity at a given time.

The utility is working with municipalities on a revised loadshedding code of practice that will cater for up to 16 stages of loadshedding.

Makwana hints at possible legal action against De Ruyter

Meanwhile, Eskom chairperson Mpho Makwana has indicated that the current board is preparing a possible legal case against former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter for what he describes as “transgressions” arising from De Ruyter’s publication of a tell-all book about his three-year tenure as head of the corruption-afflicted State-owned utility.

Makwana said it must be noted and placed on record that trust was broken by De Ruyter making public statements and with the publication of his book.

Makwana alleges that De Ruyter may have “transgressed” various domestic laws, as well as corporate governance rules and guidelines.

De Ruyter resigned in December and departed Eskom in late February ahead of his end of March notice period, following the explosive television interview in which he indicated that senior politicians could have direct links to coal cartels operating in Mpumalanga.

Kremlin says African peace delegation will visit Moscow

The Kremlin said that a delegation from African countries hoping to present an initiative to end the conflict in Ukraine would visit Moscow.

Several countries have offered to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, including China, whose special envoy began touring Europe this week in a bid to promote Beijing's plan.

Details of the African plan have not been publicly revealed, but South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russia's Vladimir Putin have agreed to meet African leaders.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter[PolityZA]