Ekurhuleni condemns attacks on Palm Ridge substation workers amid power restoration efforts
Ekurhuleni urges calm after technicians are attacked during critical repairs at the fire-damaged Palm Ridge substation.
The CoE condemns the violent actions of certain people in Palm Ridge who tried to force their way into the Palm Ridge substation while technicians were working to restore electricity on the evening of July 16.
Trespassing on municipal property and intimidating officials is a criminal offence that disrupts vital repairs.
The city urges residents to respect the teams on site, who are working under challenging conditions to restore power to the community.
It reminds residents that the current electricity supply is routed through a temporary bypass system, which is vulnerable to interruptions and causes delays in fully restoring the grid.
Further aggression or interference with technical staff will only prolong these delays and affect more households and businesses.
The CoE appeals to the Palm Ridge community for patience and co-operation to allow uninterrupted work to stabilise the power supply.
Progress on restoration efforts
Following the fire at the Palm Ridge substation on July 3, the city has made significant strides in recovery. Two of the three transformers affected have passed preliminary tests and are ready to carry the load. The third is undergoing repairs.
To accelerate restoration, a contingency plan is in place to temporarily bypass the burnt control building and directly supply power to the Palm Ridge, Namhlanje, Sky City and Escalator switching stations.
The MMC for Energy, Mzayifani Ngwenya, and local ward councillors visited the site to assess progress and consult with technical teams.
Current status and remaining challenges
The electricity was restored to most parts of Palm Ridge.
The remaining areas without power include Palm Ridge extensions 7, 8, 31, and 32.
The fire, which damaged the substation’s ripple control room containing critical breakers, has exacerbated existing frustrations in a region grappling with ageing infrastructure and service delivery challenges.
Investigation into the cause of the fire continues, with municipal engineers and fire safety officers leading the inquiry.
The city warns that theft or vandalism of infrastructure will cause further delays in restoring power, adding to the hardship faced by residents and businesses.
Impact on the community
The power outages have forced several businesses to close temporarily, citing operational disruptions and financial losses. Meanwhile, affected households continue to endure the winter chill without electricity.
The city reaffirmed its commitment to restoring power and asked the community to support technicians and officials during this critical time.
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