Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter has announced that the power utility has lost 10 generating units overnight, which means Eskom might have to implement STAGE 6 loadshedding from 17:00 this afternoon.

Eskom called an emergency media briefing to make the announcement.

De Ruyter says over 14 000 megawatts is unavailable due to unplanned outages, but this is compounded when taking into account the strike action.

He says the unlawful industrial action has led to coal and staff shortages, and intimidation and violence is rife.

At several plants, managerial staff are at the helm of operations.