Loadshedding Sparks Fear in Business Owners: “We Are Basically Burning Profits”

• Local businesses are struggling to keep their doors open due to the additional costs brought on by loadshedding
• Business owners in Johannesburg are facing possible store closures as they are forced to run generators
• The United Democratic Movement filed papers in the North Gauteng High Court to deal with the energy crisis

JOHANNESBURG - The effects of loadshedding are wreaking havoc on local businesses that are finding it difficult to keep their doors open due to additional costs.

Business owners in Johannesburg are facing possible store closures as they are forced to run generators which are using up their profits. Aside from the additional costs of loadshedding, Eskom also could soon implement tariff hikes.

Speaking to SABC News, one business owner said it is impossible to work without electricity since they work with milk, which could spoil easily if it is not stored properly. The owner said their only solution is to increase the pricing which affects community members.

Read also

KZN farmer throws out 12K litres of spoiled milk due to loadshedding, Mzansi says “he is wasting food”

Another owner told the publication that the summer weather is exacerbating the situation since air-conditioning is also not working. Loadshedding also forced business owners to purchase generators that were not budgeted for.

Meanwhile, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) plans to end loadshedding the legal way. UDM leader Bantu Holomisa told EWN that the organisation filed papers in the North Gauteng High Court on Monday, January 23.

The matter is expected to be heard next month. The respondents are Eskom, Minister Pravin Gordhan, Minister Gwede Mantashe, President Cyril Ramaphosa and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa.

KZN farmer throws out 12k litres of spoiled milk due to loadshedding, Mzansi says “he is wasting food”

Briefly News also reported that loadshedding has had a devastating impact on businesses and even farmers, who have made alternative power sources, are not exempt.

Read also

President Cyril Ramaphosa says loadshedding can't be solved overnight, leaving Mzansi fuming

KwaZulu-Natal farmer Alan Stratford posted a video of the 12 000 litres of spoiled milk he had to throw out due to loadshedding.

The shattered farmer explained that he had backup power on his dairy farm, but his controls got burnt due to power outages, reports TimesLIVE. Stratford went on to sarcastically thank Eskom for poor service that resulted in a great loss.

Source: Briefly News