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Eskom has marked 504 consecutive days without load shedding since 16 May 2025, but thousands of South Africans still face frequent power cuts from ageing infrastructure and cable theft. The Overstrand Municipality in the Western Cape has complained to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa, documenting more than 150 outages over three years — more than 100 cumulative days without power. Western Cape Local Government Member of the Executive Council Anton Bredell has called for a full audit of Eskom infrastructure after 6 000 residents signed a petition demanding action.

Turning to Parliament, the Democratic Alliance has accused Defence Minister Angie Motshekga of hiding behind bureaucratic excuses over R2.4 billion spent on chartered flights for the South African National Defence Force over five years. Democratic Alliance spokesperson Chris Hattingh says the minister has withheld a detailed breakdown despite confirming the department holds the records. Defence experts say the air force has been forced to charter aircraft because most of its planes are not operational.

And in a tragedy at sea, three crew members have died and two remain missing after a rescue boat capsized in rough seas about 40 nautical miles off Mossel Bay. The uMkhuseli emergency tug launched a rescue boat after a crew member fell overboard, but it overturned, putting all five in the water. The official search was called off on 2 October, but private recovery efforts continue. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has expressed her condolences.

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