# Underground tour reveals Joburg power crisis

> Johannesburg property owners see cable theft and aging infrastructure after underground tour.
- Title: Underground tour reveals Joburg power crisis · Daily Maverick
- Summary: Johannesburg property owners see cable theft and aging infrastructure after underground tour. Johannesburg property owners witnessed cable theft and outdated…
- Keywords: joburg, central substation, cable theft, power outages, city power, johannesburg property owners and manager, electricity restoration, underground infrastructure, news, politics, Underground, tour
- Source: Daily Maverick — https://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-18-underground-tour-reveals-scale-of-problems-plaguing-joburgs-power-infrastructure
- Author: Anna Cox
- Published: 2026-10-18T20:16:25+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: joburg, central substation, cable theft, power outages, city power, johannesburg property owners and manager, electricity restoration, underground infrastructure, news, politics
## First-hand tour of Central Substation
Johannesburg property owners took an underground tour of City Power's Central Substation to see infrastructure problems.
## Cable theft and aging infrastructure
The tour revealed stolen cables, old equipment, and fire damage from thieves breaking in through walls.
## Central Substation restoration timeline
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
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.
## Key takeaway

Johannesburg property owners witnessed cable theft and outdated infrastructure at Central Substation, leading to cautious optimism for power restoration.