Eskom brings in load shedding, Vytjie Mentor takes the Zondo stand

[Click here for the web version of this email]( [Daily Maverick] Monday, 11 February 2019 While You Were Working [Power cuts grip South Africa]( Level 4 load shedding, rolling blackouts, and general gnashing of teeth in frustration at Eskom's latest cuts have gripped South Africa's grid today. More worryingly, a statement by OUTA revealed that the cuts by Eskom could cost the country as much as R5-billion. Moody's, meanwhile, has outright labelled Eskom as a risk to the country, with President Cyril Ramaphosa's three-way split plan doing "little" to improve the walking dumpster fire that is Eskom today. That said, even a dumpster fire would shed a little light... [Guptas want their video in with Mentor's]( As former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor begins her testimony today at the Zondo Commission, the Guptas, through their lawyers, intervened from the get-go. The Guptas' legal representatives argued for the Commission to include the family's own video footage of an inspection into their Saxonwold lair in December. Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, should he allow it, will be in for a lot of video-time this week. — [Exclusive Books - Top 10 For Discerning Readers]( [Mine rescue efforts stymied by miners]( Around 22 suspect copper thieves remained trapped underground the Gloria coal mine as rescue efforts were hampered by dissatisfied mineworkers. The mine was previously owned by the Guptas and placed into business rescue last year and the mineworkers were complaining of not being paid since October. A gas explosion and general damage done by those trapped underground has also contributed to a generally-unsafe rescue environment. [Thai princess disqualified from elections]( Thailand's Princess Ubolratana has been disqualified from running for prime minister, ending a week of general shock at her political career debut. The Thai Election Commission ruled that the country's royal family ought to be "above politics" and thus could not take part in any political office. Ubolratana had been nominated by the Thai Raksa Chart Party, breaking decades of apolitical Thai royal tradition. — [Successful Sociopaths: Every Country Has Them]( [Sponsored Content by Showmax]( South Africa knows a little something about prosperity-related family dysfunction. In the 2018 hit drama “Succession”, now streaming exclusively on Showmax, the Logans are the poster family for both wealth and personality disorders. But South Africa’s stinking rich may be able to give them a run for their... well, money. — [Exclusive Books - Top 10 For Discerning Readers]( [Keep The Lights On]( We’re shining the light on our country’s corruption and Maverick Insider contributions are ensuring that our torches have batteries. Daily Maverick journalists along with our colleagues at amaBhungane and News24 were instrumental in revealing the #GuptaLeaks which, in turn, led to the commissions into State Capture. As we approach our elections it's never been as important that the lights stay on. [Sign up to Maverick Insider and help us Defend Truth.]( [DAILY MAVERICK IS HIRING: Night Editor]( As the title suggests, your talents and commitment are needed up to Cinderella hour (sometimes a bit later, sometimes a bit earlier). The Night editor position is a hands-on, multi-faceted job in a tight operation so all-round news editing and meticulous production experience are essential. The night editor will ensure Daily Maverick’s vision is implemented. Think you're up to it? [Please click through to read more details on how to apply here.]( — Featured Articles [The Week : SONA Debate and Legislation top the agenda]( [The Week : SONA Debate and Legislation top the agenda]( BY Parliamentary Monitoring Group [Twenty-five years of democracy: ruptures and continuities (Part 1)]( [Twenty-five years of democracy: ruptures and continuities (Part 1)]( BY Raymond Suttner [South African Menswear Week, nine seasons later: What have we learnt?]( [South African Menswear Week, nine seasons later: What have we learnt?]( BY Malibongwe Tyilo [Bo-Kaap must have heritage status, say residents of the country’s oldest Muslim settlement]( [Bo-Kaap must have heritage status, say residents of the country’s oldest Muslim settlement]( BY Suné Payne [Eskom wants to dodge air pollution rules — again]( [Eskom wants to dodge air pollution rules — again]( BY Gill Gifford for Health-e News Opinionistas [Message to Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams: Help the SABC – don’t undermine it]( BY William Bird [Ramaphosa has rebuilt confidence at home and abroad, but that can easily unravel]( BY Imraan Buccus [Exclusive Books - Top 10 For Discerning Readers]( [FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO A FRIEND]( Copyright © 2019 Daily Maverick, All rights reserved. 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