From Daily Maverick · Anna Cox · · 1m 40s
Underground tour reveals Joburg power crisis
Johannesburg property owners see cable theft and aging infrastructure after underground tour.
In brief
Johannesburg property owners see cable theft and aging infrastructure after underground tour. Johannesburg property owners witnessed cable theft and outdated infrastructure at Central Substation, leading to cautious optimism for power restoration. Originally reported by Daily Maverick.
First-hand tour of Central Substation
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Johannesburg property owners took an underground tour of City Power's Central Substation to see infrastructure problems.
Cable theft and aging infrastructure
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The tour revealed stolen cables, old equipment, and fire damage from thieves breaking in through walls.
Central Substation restoration timeline
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City Power aims to restore power by Tuesday, 20 October, after repairs for fire and explosion damage.
Security measures at Central Substation
Central Substation now has 24-hour armed security with guards carrying assault rifles.
Theft problem severity
City Power recorded 652 cable theft incidents in seven months, with thieves targeting infrastructure at night.
Feeder board failure
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The old 1980s feeder board caught fire and exploded, preventing repairs and delaying restoration.
Property owners' concerns
Property owners reported 20% vacancy rates and lost tenants due to power outages costing millions in diesel and water.
Community impact
Residents in Rosettenville, Bez Valley, and Malvern burned tyres during protests over repeated outages.
City Power's response
City Power plans substation upgrades, cable replacements, and fire detection improvements to fix power issues.
Restoration progress
80% of protection cables were laid by Saturday, with teams connecting them and testing key equipment.
Next steps
City Power will meet property owners on 27 October for a round-table discussion to address infrastructure problems.
Power restoration timeline
Electricity will be restored in stages by Tuesday, 20 October, after repairs and testing complete.
The big picture
Johannesburg property owners witnessed cable theft and outdated infrastructure at Central Substation, leading to cautious optimism for power restoration.
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