According to a press release by Eskom, repair teams have been indefinitely withdrawn from the affected substations due to the volatile environment while negotiations with the Provincial Joint Operational Centre and National Joint Operational Centre are underway to secure the area.

The recent statement informed that Eskom is currently working on alternative solutions to redirect electricity to the affected areas and are hopeful to restore power supply by early this week.

Also read: Fire at Blinkpan sub is sabotage

Following the repetitive armed assaults on the Goedehoop plant and substation, the SAPS managed to arrest 114 suspects and confiscated over 20 vehicles.

According to a statement by the provincial media spokesperson for the SAPS, Brigadier Leonard Hlathi, six of the suspects have already been granted bail while the remainder are due to appear in court today.

According to a Blinkpan resident, Mr Fanie Grobler, the area remains under strong police surveillance but small fires were observed at the Goedehoop plant early this morning.

Also read: Fire at Blinkpan sub is sabotage

Mr Grobler explained that the smoke was caused by copper cables being burned.

Mr Grobler further stated that the Goedehoop plant has been stripped bare by thieves, leaving the plant wide open for anyone to gain access. He said that the gate was removed and that even the buildings were stripped of their roof for the corrugated iron sheeting.

According to Mr Grobler, Eskom technicians originally planned on activating a cable leading from the Komati station, but that the cable was aged and exploded after activation.

Word on the street is that a mobile substation might be erected in place of the two main substations while technicians are attempting to temporarily feed electricity from the overhead lines.

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