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Fact-Check: Did Elon Musk Really Criticize Eskom’s Load Shedding?
A screenshot of a tweet allegedly from Elon Musk criticizing Eskom and its ongoing load shedding crisis has gone viral. However, there is no evidence that the South African-born billionaire actually posted it.
Viral Tweet Sparks Debate
The widely circulated image shows Musk supposedly tweeting:
“So Eskom pulls out Stage 6 like it’s a surprise. But millions meant for maintenance and new power stations keep disappearing into ‘consultation fees.’ At this point, load shedding isn’t a crisis…it’s a business model.”
The alleged post appears to reference Eskom’s recent decision to escalate load shedding from Stage 3 to Stage 6 due to maintenance issues and multiple power unit failures.
Elon Musk’s Recent Comments on South Africa
While the Tesla and SpaceX CEO has made headlines for his comments on South African policies, including claims of “racial discrimination” against white citizens, there is no record of him posting about Eskom’s power crisis.
Musk’s internet satellite company, Starlink, recently withdrew its proposal to operate in South Africa, citing regulatory hurdles related to Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) requirements. The government later stated that it had no plans to approve the proposal, citing Musk’s controversial views.
Community Notes Disproves the Tweet
Despite being shared by high-profile figures, including former ANC spokesperson-turned-MK Party member Mzwanele Manyi, the authenticity of the tweet has been debunked.
A Community Notes correction on X stated:
“Run a simple search on X of @elonmusk’s tweets about Eskom right now. You’ll notice right away this tweet doesn’t exist. This is simply an edited image of a tweet with Elon’s X account included and used to give it credence.”
The viral image serves as another example of misinformation spreading on social media, emphasizing the need to verify sources before sharing content.
Agreed @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/PTQzJ3k5a2
— Mzwanele Manyi (@MzwaneleManyi) February 23, 2025
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