Mayor updates Middelburg on power outage
Lightning strike at municipal substation leaves several Middelburg areas without electricity as repairs continue.
Executive Mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela, shares updates with residents, after lightning causes Middelburg power outage.
Residents in multiple areas in Middelburg remain without electricity after a lightning strike damaged a municipal substation on Tuesday evening, causing a fire and widespread power outages.
According to the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, the incident occurred at about 19:50, when lightning struck the substation and it caught fire.
The damaged Verdoorn substation has left areas affected including Middelburg CBD, Mineralia, Eastdene, Aloe Ridge, Extension 22, Rondebosch and parts of the Industrial Area, with portions of Eldoridge also impacted.
A notice issued yesterday, indicated the outage could last up to 12 hours, but restoration has taken longer due to the extent of the damage.
After a visit by the mayor, earlier this afternoon, he has assured locals that municipal teams are currently working to restore electricity by redirecting supply through other substations while repairs continue.
Technicians remain on site, but no estimated restoration time has yet been confirmed.
Residents are urged to remain patient while repair work continues.
