Reuters reports that power utility Eskom said on Tuesday that one of the coal-fired units at its Arnot power station was not working.  It, however, denied claims by two union sources that five of the units were down because of low coal supplies and wage protests.  

Eskom spokesman Khulu Phasiwe did confirm union reports of intimidation at the plant by protesting employees preventing non-striking colleagues from showing up to work.  He could not confirm reports that three other units at two power stations were down.  A source at trade union Solidarity, one of three involved in the wage talks whose members have not taken part in the protests, confirmed that "all stations are open for workers to enter now".  The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said many of its members at Eskom were on what amounted to a wildcat strike.  NUM energy sector coordinator Paris Mashego said the power stations affected on Monday included Kendal, Hendrina, Arnot, Duvha and Matla, with workers at the Kriel station expected to down tools on Tuesday.  Phasiwe said coal supplies remained a concern.  The utility has warned that there was a high risk of electricity cuts this week because of the disruptions.  

• Read this report in full at eNCA
• Read too, Police deployed to Eskom substations to prevent sabotage of power supply, at EWN

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