Eskom to implement a 15-hour power outage in Gauteng on Tuesday

Eskom will switch off electricity in part of Ga-Rankuwa for 15 hours next week as it carries out maintenance on its distribution network.

The power utility said the outage will affect customers in Ga-Rankuwa Zone 20 on Tuesday, 20 October, from 8:00 until 23:00.

Eskom published the notice in its October 2026 Gauteng Cluster Connect newsletter, compiled by its Gauteng Communication and Stakeholder Management team.

Why Eskom is cutting power in Ga-Rankuwa

According to Eskom, the interruption will allow its teams to perform essential maintenance on distribution power lines serving the area.

Unlike many planned outages that end in the late afternoon, this shutdown will stretch well into the night. Residents in Zone 20 can expect to spend the entire working day and most of the evening without electricity.

Eskom cautioned that the maintenance may not go ahead as planned if circumstances beyond its control arise. Residents should keep an eye on Eskom’s official channels for any changes to the schedule.

Tips to get through a long night without electricity

With power only expected back at 23:00, households will need to plan for both daytime and evening needs.

Residents can charge cell phones, laptops, power banks and rechargeable lamps on Monday night. Torches, candles and matches should be within easy reach before sunset, and anyone using candles or gas should never leave them unattended.

Families may want to cook supper early using gas or prepare meals that do not require electricity. Filling flasks with hot water before 8:00 can help with tea, coffee and baby bottles later in the day.

Homes that rely on electric gates, alarms or security lights should make sure backup batteries are charged, and residents may want to check in on elderly neighbours who live alone.

Eskom advised customers to treat all electrical appliances as live at all times during the outage, since power could return without notice. Switching off sensitive appliances can also protect them from power surges when supply is restored.

The utility thanked customers for their cooperation and apologised for the inconvenience.