The two-day inquiry, which begins on Monday in Sandton, Johannesburg, will examine the legal, policy, and practical justification for load reduction and its effect on affected communities.  

Load reduction, a strategy used to ease pressure on the national electricity grid, has sparked growing concerns, especially in historically disadvantaged and poor communities. While South Africa (SA) has recently seen relief from loadshedding, complaints suggest that load reduction is increasingly targeting specific areas, raising issues of fairness and discrimination.  

According to SAHRC Spokesperson Wisani Baloyi, the inquiry aims to assess how load reduction affects fundamental rights, including the right to life, equality, human dignity, access to education, and healthcare services. The Commission has invited public submissions from civil society, policy and energy experts, Eskom, and the National Energy Regulator of SA (NERSA).  

--SABC/ChannelAfrica--