Warning:
This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers.
Stage three power cuts would continue across the country until 10pm on Saturday, Eskom said.
"We have introduced stage three load shedding. It started at 8am this morning and will go on until 10pm this evening," spokesman Khulu Phasiwe said.
This was due to depleted water and diesel reserves, and technical problems at its power stations. Two generators also required urgent maintenance.
He said Eskom needed to build up the power supply, and was confident the generators would be running by Saturday evening.
The power utility said it would revert to stage two power cuts around the country on Sunday from 8am until 10pm.
Stage one allowed for up to 1000MW of the national load to be shed, stage two for up to 2000MW and stage three for up to 4000MW.
Phasiwe urged Eskom customers to visit its website to check the schedules for the different areas.
Sapa
